Cherrybomb is a 2009 Irish-British drama film directed by Glenn Leyburn and Lisa Barros D'Sa. The movie revolves around three teenagers, Luke (Rupert Grint), Malachy (Robert Sheehan), and Michelle (Kimberley Nixon) who are close friends living in a small Irish town. As they approach their last summer before leaving school, they plan to spend it in the most reckless way possible. They break into houses, smoke, drink, and steal cars.
Luke falls for Michelle, and tries to impress her throughout the film, but Malachy is also interested in her. Their testosterone-fueled adventures soon turn sour when they break into a house, finding a stash of drugs and cash, leading to a string of more dangerous crimes. Their morals and loyalties are tested as they try to keep their deadly crime spree under wraps from their families, while still trying to have fun.
The movie is a coming-of-age drama that addresses themes such as friendship, loyalty, first love, and the pressures of growing up. It features strong performances from the lead actors, especially Rupert Grint, best known for his role as Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter series, who delivers a standout performance. The film was praised for its gritty realism and portrayal of teenage angst, but was also criticized for its focus on problematic behavior and lack of parental intervention.