Good Arrows (2009)

A darkly comic British sports drama about a darts champion whose game — and grip on life — unravels after a frightening health scare.

Good Arrows - Movie Information

  • Release Year: 2009
  • Directed by: Helen Grace, Irvine Welsh
  • Type: Movie
  • Genres: Comedy, Drama
  • Runtime: 1h 30m
  • Original Language: English
  • Spoken Languages: English
  • Production Companies: Dust
  • Production Countries: United Kingdom

Good Arrows - Plot

A darts player slides into depression after an heart attack spooks him so much he loses his skill.

Good Arrows - Trailer

Watch the official trailer and see what awaits in this British comedy-drama:

Where to Watch Good Arrows

Looking for where to watch Good Arrows?

Good Arrows - Cast & Crew

Director(s)

  • Helen Grace
  • Irvine Welsh

Main Cast

  • Jonny Owen
  • Katy Brand
  • Brian Hibbard
  • Joe McKinney
  • Steven Meo
  • Jordan Long
  • Sam Fletcher
  • Eiry Hughes
  • Finlay Russell
  • Kerrigan Hefferman

Writers

  • Dean Kavanagh
  • Irvine Welsh

Producers

  • Dean Cavanagh
  • Joanne Podmore
  • Jonny Owen
  • Irvine Welsh
  • Rhian Williams

Good Arrows - FAQs

What is Good Arrows about?

Good Arrows follows Andy 'The Arrows' Samson, a professional darts player whose confidence is shattered after suffering a heart attack. Unable to recapture his former precision and spiralling into depression, he must find a way to rebuild himself both mentally and competitively in this British comedy-drama.

Who directed Good Arrows?

Good Arrows was co-directed by Helen Grace and Irvine Welsh. Welsh is best known as the author of Trainspotting and also co-wrote the screenplay for this film alongside Dean Kavanagh, marking one of his notable forays into directing.

Who are the main actors in Good Arrows?

The film stars Jonny Owen as Andy 'The Arrows' Samson and Katy Brand as Big Sheila. The supporting cast includes Brian Hibbard, Joe McKinney, Steven Meo, Jordan Long, Sam Fletcher, Eiry Hughes, Finlay Russell, and Kerrigan Hefferman.

Is Good Arrows based on a true story?

Good Arrows is not based on a specific true story. It is an original fictional narrative co-written by Irvine Welsh and Dean Kavanagh, though it draws on the very real world of professional darts and the psychological pressures athletes face after health scares.

What genre is Good Arrows?

Good Arrows is a Comedy and Drama — a British comedy-drama that blends darkly humorous character study with an emotionally grounded sports narrative. It explores themes of identity, mental resilience, and the fragility of athletic confidence in a distinctly offbeat, character-driven style.

How long is Good Arrows?

Good Arrows has a runtime of 90 minutes, making it a compact, focused feature that wastes little time establishing its central character's predicament and the darkly comic world surrounding professional darts in the United Kingdom.

What are movies similar to Good Arrows?

If you enjoyed Good Arrows, you may also like other sports underdog stories such as Rocky (1976), Cool Runnings (1993), Cinderella Man (2005), and The Hustler (1961). These films share themes of personal resilience, competitive pressure, and the human cost of athletic ambition.

Who wrote the screenplay for Good Arrows?

The screenplay for Good Arrows was written by Dean Kavanagh and Irvine Welsh. Welsh, celebrated for his literary work on Trainspotting and Filth, brought his characteristic sharp wit and working-class sensibility to this offbeat British sports comedy-drama.

More About Good Arrows

Explore further details and official listings for Good Arrows below.

Help Us Keep Our Content Accurate.

Report an Error