Maeve

Maeve is a young Belfast woman navigating love, politics, and personal autonomy against the backdrop of the Troubles. She questions the aims of the republican movement and pushes back against male-dominated narratives. Her journey moves between urgent present-day moments and flashbacks to her youth and time in London.

Roisin is Maeve’s bold companion, fearless in confronting violence and injustice. She observes checkpoints and soldiers with defiance and wit, providing a counterpoint to Maeve’s reflective mood. Their bond anchors the film’s exploration of female solidarity.

Martin is Maeve’s uncle, a figure shaped by family loyalty and the risks of the past. His recollections reveal gelignite plots and prison time, illustrating how the Troubles entangled generations in cycles of crime and consequence.

Eileen is the mother who holds the family together amid upheaval. Her perspective provides emotional ballast and a window into how mothers cope with violence surrounding them. She anchors the film in intimate costs of political conflict.

Liam is Maeve’s former lover and a voice from the republican movement who clashes with Maeve over the movement’s priorities. Their relationship tests Maeve’s commitment to political goals and personal freedom.

Joe is a witty, impulsive uncle whose stories of the past reveal how kinship persists despite violence. His actions highlight the tension between loyalty and moral accountability.

Colm is Maeve’s other uncle, part of the family’s complicated history with the conflict. His presence underscores the generational impact of violence and the burden of secrets.

Flashbacks show a younger Maeve confronting the era’s limits and her own budding independence. These moments illuminate how early experiences shape her future choices.

Flashbacks present Roisin as a child encountering the era’s tensions, hinting at the long-lasting effects of communal violence on friendships and family.