Irish film Cardboard Gangsters is a hard-as-nails tale of notoriety, revenge and playing the game in the Dublin criminal underworld.

It features another acclaimed role for Love/Hate actor John Connors.

It's also the highest-grossing Irish film so far this year, pulling in €365 thousand at the box office.

Cardboard Gangsters is now officially the top grossing Irish film of 2017 but we're only warming up! RT & help us take no. 1 in Box Office pic.twitter.com/gnbJMsXKTX

— Mark O' Connor (@markoconnorfilm) July 2, 2017

According to Patrick O'Neil, managing director of film distributor Wildcard, "there's been huge interest in the film from the UK so we can't wait for audiences over there to see it".

Meanwhile in Ireland it seems that some viewers are coming away with a new lease on life:

Fellas throwin an extra few shapes around after #CardboardGangsters thinking they're John Gillian put your amber leaf away and go to bed pal

— Ellenlouise (@moonchild2123) July 6, 2017

Far more typical however have been expressions of praise and admiration:

I can't see there being a better or more powerhouse performance by an Irish actor this year than John Connors in Cardboard Gangsters.

— Stephen Sheehy (@SteoLegendBauer) July 6, 2017

Just watched #CardboardGangsters in the cinema. Absolutely brilliant, gritty and one of the best Irish films I've seen.

— Colette Clyne (@Coletteclyne) July 4, 2017

The film premieres in the UK on August 4, being shown in London, Manchester, Liverpool and Glasgow.