That They May Face the Rising Sun poster

That They May Face the Rising Sun

Movie 2024 1h 51m 7.2 /10
Directed by Pat Collins

Joe and Kate Ruttledge return from London to the lakeside village where Joe grew up and plunge into the rhythms of a place that keeps its own clock. The film follows a year in their days and in the lives of a close circle of neighbors, tracing work at the docks, late conversations after supper,... Read more

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Streaming availability last verified: January 14, 2026

About That They May Face the Rising Sun

Joe and Kate Ruttledge return from London to the lakeside village where Joe grew up and plunge into the rhythms of a place that keeps its own clock. The film follows a year in their days and in the lives of a close circle of neighbors, tracing work at the docks, late conversations after supper, and the small rituals that mark the seasons. Around the water, boats and cottages, the local pub becomes a stage for memory, laughter, and quiet worry. As the year turns, the enclosed world of this community widens in feeling, turning ordinary moments into broader questions of belonging and change. Its quiet, observational style invites viewers to lean in and notice how small acts connect people.

Directed by Pat Collins, the drama adapts material by Éamon Little and John McGahern, anchoring its intimate lakeside portrait in the rhythms of a small community, with Barry Ward, Anna Bederke, Lalor Roddy, Sean McGinley and Ruth McCabe headlining, in a collaboration that aims for quiet authenticity.

Box office details have not been publicly disclosed and there is no widely reported box intake for the film. The title appears to have had a limited release in select markets, with no single global gross figure available.

Reception & Themes: Early notices describe the film as an intimate, observant drama about return and renewal, anchored in family ties and the rituals of work and seasons around a lake. It probes memory, community, and the pull between tradition and change within a close knit world. The film's quiet tone invites viewers to linger on everyday choices and the way small acts bind people across distances and time.

Awards: As of this writing there have been no major nominations or wins announced for That They May Face the Rising Sun. The film has drawn praise for its performances and direction in early reviews, but it has not entered major award contention.

What Viewers Are Saying

7.2/10
from 9 ratings

Viewers appreciate the film's understated and simple story, which many find deeply moving and effective in capturing rural Irish life. Audiences highlight the strong visual storytelling, with skillful use of sight and sound and nuanced performances, especially praising the subtlety in the actors' expressions and interactions. Some note the film's unconventional narrative structure and slower pacing, which may not appeal to all but contributes to its reflective and atmospheric tone. Overall, the movie is seen as a thoughtful, artful portrayal of tradition and change within a rural community.

Details

Release Date
April 26, 2024
Runtime
1h 51m
User Ratings
9 votes
Type
Movie
Genres
Drama
Country
Ireland
Studio
Break Out Pictures +3 more
External Links
View on IMDB

Official Trailer

Cast

Barry Ward

Barry Ward

Joe Ruttledge

Anna Bederke

Anna Bederke

Kate Ruttledge

Lalor Roddy

Lalor Roddy

Patrick Ryan

Sean McGinley

Sean McGinley

Johnny Murphy

Ruth McCabe

Ruth McCabe

Mary Murphy

P

Phillip Dolan

Jamesie Murphy

John Olohan

John Olohan

The Shah

Brendan Conroy

Brendan Conroy

Bill Evans

C

Catherine Byrne

Susan Maguire

Patrick Ryan

Patrick Ryan

Frank Dolan

Director: Pat Collins

Written by: Éamon Little, John McGahern

Frequently Asked Questions

That They May Face the Rising Sun is not currently available on streaming subscription services, but you can rent or buy it on Vudu and Amazon Video.

Yes, you can rent on Vudu and Amazon Video or buy on Vudu and Amazon Video.

With a rating of 7.2/10 from 9 viewers, That They May Face the Rising Sun is well-regarded and recommended by viewers.

Joe and Kate Ruttledge return from London to the lakeside village where Joe grew up and plunge into the rhythms of a place that keeps its own clock. The film follows a year in their days and in the lives of a close circle of neighbors, tracing work at the docks, late conversations after supper, a...

That They May Face the Rising Sun stars Barry Ward, Anna Bederke, Lalor Roddy, Sean McGinley, and Ruth McCabe.

That They May Face the Rising Sun was directed by Pat Collins.

That They May Face the Rising Sun was released on April 26, 2024.

That They May Face the Rising Sun is a Drama film.

Barry Ward plays Joe Ruttledge. The film follows his return to a lake-side community with his wife Kate as the year unfolds.

Anna Bederke plays Kate Ruttledge. She is Joe Ruttledge's wife and a central figure in the story.

Sean McGinley plays Johnny Murphy. He is part of the close-knit community around the lake.

The drama follows Joe and Kate Ruttledge as they return from London to live near Joe's hometown, and documents a year in their lives and the surrounding community through the rituals of work, play and the changing seasons.