The True Story Behind Liam Neeson’s New Movie Left Him “Angrier and Angrier”

• Collider's Steve Weintraub talks with Liam Neeson, Monica Dolan, and Frank Berry for The Lost Children of Tuam at TIFF 2026.
• The trio discusses avoiding sensationalizing the horrific truth behind the film, and Dolan shares her preparation to portray Catherine Corless.
• Neeson shares why he joined the film as a producer and reflects on the effects of this discovery.

The Lost Children of Tuam is the true story of amateur historian Catherine Corless who would go on to change Ireland forever. In the film, from director Frank Berry (Aisha), Corless is portrayed by Monica Dolan (Empire of Light) at the start of her research into the recorded deaths of nearly 800 infants and children with no corresponding burial records from a Catholic institution, spanning from the mid-20s to early ‘60s.

While examining records from Bon Secours Mother and Baby Home for the children of unwed mothers in Tuam, Corless uncovered a horrific chapter of modern Irish history. Her tireless efforts and dedication to exposing the truth are chronicled in Berry’s film, from screenwriter Rebecca Lenkiewicz (Disobedience).

At the Toronto International Film Festival, where The Lost Children of Tuam celebrated its international premiere, Steve Weintraub spoke with producer Liam Neeson, Berry, and BAFTA Award-winning lead actress Dolan at the Collider Media Studio, presented by Campari and The Cayman Islands. In this interview, the three of them discuss the somber truth behind the film and how they honored the truth through their research, portrayal, and production. Neeson shares how he got involved, and they discuss the lasting impact and results of Corless’ tireless work.

During the interview, Weintraub asks the trio a series of questions unrelated to the film, and when Neeson was asked which of his roles throughout the years taught him the most about himself, the actor and producer offered a surprisingly earnest answer:

"Oh my gosh, that's hard. Taught me most about myself? Okay, I'm not bragging — I’ve made 106 movies. Every one of them has taught me something, some aspect of myself, but I'm still coming to terms. I'm 74, but at times I feel I'm 18. Not energy-wise, but just mental-wise."

As for The Lost Children of Tuam, Neeson had personal reasons to serve as a producer, and to lend his Hollywood status to an independent film that may otherwise have slipped through the cracks:

"I read Dan Barry's extraordinary story article in the New York Times, October 2017, and it viscerally affected me as a human being, as an Irish. I’d been brought up Irish Catholic, being an altar boy for a bunch of years, and a building rage I had inside myself, and embarrassment, and I thought whatever my status within the film community is, if there's something I can do. I called my friend Jules Daley, a brilliant producer, to bring this to the cinema, to the screen, this story. It had to be told — has to be told, has to be shared."

You can watch the full conversation in the video above, with time codes provided below.

• 00:44 - The team shares their favorite movie theater spots.
• 01:56 - The trio answers questions about the roles they learned the most from, what they’re embarrassingly bad at, and more!
• 04:32 - Monica Dolan jokes about dominating TIFF 2026.
• 05:10 - What is The Lost Children of Tuam about?
• 06:43 - Frank Berry discusses not sensationalizing the truth behind these horrific events.
• 08:10 - Berry explains the meaning and impact of the “survivor sequence.”
• 09:26 - Dan Barry’s New York Times article inspired Liam Neeson to produce the film.
• 10:47 - Berry and Neeson explain how Catherine Corless’ research led to an excavation project seeking to identify the children still happening this year.
• 12:14 - Monica Dolan details the preparation to portray Corless.
• 14:29 - Berry and Dolan discuss the shooting schedule.
• 16:23 - Neeson and Dolan reflect on the deep wounds caused by the Catholic Church and state’s involvement in Ireland’s history.
• 18:20 - Dolan discusses how the response to her research affected Corless.

The Lost Children of Tuam has not set an official release date for the U.S. yet. Check back with Collider for more updates!

Cast

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  Monica Dolan

  Catherine Corless

• 

  Andrew Bennett

  Aidan Corless

• Ian McElhinney

  P.J. Haverty

• Elaine O'Dwyer

  Alicia Corless