Barry Keoghan just strutted into the 2024 Toronto Film Festival like he owns the place—and honestly, he kind of does. This 31-year-old, Oscar-nominated heartthrob wasn’t just there to sip champagne and smile for the cameras, though. Oh no, Barry was out to premiere his latest masterpiece, Bird, on Saturday, September 7th, at the TIFF Lightbox in Toronto, Canada.
Now, let’s talk fashion: Barry clearly had a goal—to simultaneously confuse and impress us. He rocked a pink and black sweater vest that screamed “fashion-forward lumberjack,” while also showing off those guns (because why not?). He was joined by his pint-sized co-star, the incredibly talented Nykiya Adams, who somehow kept a straight face during this sartorial spectacle.
So, what’s Bird all about? Let me paint you a picture. Imagine this: A 12-year-old girl named Bailey (played by Adams) lives in a tenement building that’s practically a Banksy art gallery with a roof. Her dad, Bug (yes, you heard that right, Bug—because why not?), is played by Keoghan. Bug is the kind of dad who loves his daughter to pieces but doesn’t always realize that maybe, just maybe, a teenage girl doesn’t need the emotional range of a houseplant.
Anyway, Bug drops a bombshell: he’s getting hitched to his new girlfriend. Naturally, Bailey reacts the way any of us would—fury, tears, and a strong desire to throw a tantrum worthy of an Oscar. Her mom? Oh, she’s busy living with a guy who seems like he was cast directly from a “villains we love to hate” catalog. So Bailey’s caught between the chaotic love of her dad and the emotional black hole of her mom’s life.
What does Bailey do? She does what any self-respecting, angst-filled preteen would do: she takes off to the great outdoors to talk to some animals. No, seriously—Bailey can literally communicate with animals. Think Dr. Doolittle but with way more emotional baggage. On one of these therapeutic nature walks, she has an encounter that’s so mysterious and profound, it might just be the plot twist we’ve all been waiting for. This encounter is the key to her summoning the strength to face her mom’s new man—who, I assume, is about as pleasant as a cactus in a balloon shop.
Barry Keoghan, pink sweater vests, emotional animal whispering, and a mysterious plot twist that could win all the awards. What more could you want from a TIFF premiere? Popcorn not included.
