Barry Keoghan is the Irish actor currently dominating your teen's TikTok feed, but while he’s the new star of the Peaky Blinders movie, most of his famous roles—especially the viral ones—are strictly for adults.
Barry Keoghan is an Oscar-nominated actor whose career has exploded through roles in The Batman and Saltburn, making him a massive celebrity in Gen Z digital spaces. While he’s the new face of the Peaky Blinders franchise, Screenwise advises parents that much of his work is rated R or TV-MA, making him a "look but don't watch" celebrity for younger audiences.
If you haven't been keeping track of the "Internet's Boyfriend" cycle, Barry Keoghan is the 33-year-old Dublin-born actor who has spent the last few years moving from "that guy in that one movie" to a legitimate A-list powerhouse. He has a fascinating, heavy backstory—he spent years in the foster care system in Ireland before finding acting—which has given him a grounded, slightly "edgy" vibe that the internet absolutely devours.
In 2026, he is inescapable. He’s transitioned from the hauntingly strange boy in The Killing of a Sacred Deer to a massive blockbuster presence. Whether he’s playing a sensitive soul in The Banshees of Inisherin or a chaotic social climber in Saltburn, he brings a specific "weird" energy that has become his trademark.
It’s rare for a serious dramatic actor to become a TikTok sensation, but Barry Keoghan managed it through a perfect storm of memes and pop-culture proximity.
The TikTok "Stan" Culture
If your teen is on TikTok, they’ve seen Barry. He is frequently the subject of "fan edits"—short, stylized videos set to music that highlight his looks or his "vibe." In 2024 and 2025, he became the poster child for the "unconventional heartthrob" or "babygirl" trope (don't ask, it just means a male celebrity the internet finds endearing in a specific, slightly vulnerable way).
The Sabrina Carpenter Connection
A huge part of his current digital footprint comes from his relationship with pop star Sabrina Carpenter. He starred in her music video for Please Please Please, which was a massive cultural moment for Gen Z. This effectively bridged the gap between "serious actor" and "pop culture icon," leading millions of younger fans to search for his movies.
As of April 2026, the buzz is all about the Peaky Blinders movie. Keoghan joining the cast alongside Cillian Murphy is a huge deal. For parents, this is the most likely entry point for older teens. While the show has always been a hit, Keoghan’s involvement is drawing in a younger demographic that might not have cared about 1920s Birmingham gangsters before.
Screenwise notes that Peaky Blinders is notoriously violent and heavy on adult themes. If your teen is jumping into the movie because of Barry, they’re entering a world of "ultra-violence" and complex moral ambiguity.
The tricky thing about Keoghan is that his most "memed" work is often his most inappropriate for kids. Here is the Screenwise breakdown of his filmography by age appropriateness:
For Younger Teens (13-15)
- Eternals: He plays Druig. This is a standard Marvel PG-13 affair. It’s the safest way to see him in action without any "Saltburn-level" surprises.
- The Batman: He has a brief (but creepy) cameo as the Joker. It’s dark and moody, but standard superhero fare for this age group.
- Dunkirk: A phenomenal, intense war movie. It’s PG-13 and shows his range as a "heroic" character.
For Older Teens (16-17+)
- Masters of the Air: This Apple TV+ series is incredible but contains heavy war violence and some language. It’s great for history buffs.
- The Banshees of Inisherin: Rated R for language and some graphic (and very weird) self-harm. It’s a brilliant movie, but it requires a high level of emotional maturity.
- Peaky Blinders: TV-MA for a reason. Lots of smoking, drinking, swearing, and brutal gang violence.
The "No-Go" Zone (18+)
- Saltburn: You’ve probably heard about "the bathtub scene" or "the grave scene." Believe the hype—this movie is wildly inappropriate for anyone under 18. It’s a psychological thriller with extreme sexual content and nudity. If your 14-year-old says they want to watch it because of the TikTok edits, this is a firm "no."
Because Barry Keoghan is so present in "stan" culture, he’s a great jumping-off point for conversations about digital literacy and the "aestheticization" of media.
- The "Edit" vs. The Movie: Talk to your kids about how TikTok edits can make a movie look like a fun, neon-soaked romp when the actual film is a dark, depressing R-rated drama. Saltburn is the prime example of this.
- Unconventional Success: Keoghan’s life story is genuinely inspiring. He didn't come from a "nepo baby" background. Discussing his journey from foster care to the Oscars is a great way to talk about resilience and talent.
- The "Weird" Label: Keoghan embraces being "different-looking" or "weird." In a world of filtered Instagram faces, his success is a cool lesson in being yourself and leaning into what makes you unique.
Q: Is Saltburn okay for a 15-year-old? No, Saltburn is definitely not appropriate for a 15-year-old. It contains several extremely graphic sexual scenes and disturbing imagery that are intended for adult audiences only, despite how "cool" it looks in TikTok edits.
Q: What is Barry Keoghan's most kid-friendly movie? His most kid-friendly role is in Eternals, where he plays the superhero Druig. For a slightly more mature but still PG-13 experience, Dunkirk is an excellent choice for teens interested in history.
Q: Why is everyone calling Barry Keoghan "babygirl" on TikTok? "Babygirl" is a slang term used by Gen Z to describe male celebrities who have a certain charm, vulnerability, or "submissive" energy that fans find endearing. It’s a term of affection in digital fandom and usually doesn't have anything to do with the actor's actual personality or roles.
Q: Is the Peaky Blinders movie okay for kids? Based on the Peaky Blinders series, the movie is expected to be rated R or TV-MA. It will likely feature heavy violence, profanity, and adult themes, making it unsuitable for younger children and best reserved for older teens.
Barry Keoghan is a generational talent who has mastered the art of being both a "serious actor" and a digital icon. While your kids might be obsessed with his "vibe" or his relationship with Sabrina Carpenter, his actual body of work is largely adult-oriented.
Screenwise recommends steering younger fans toward his Marvel work and keeping the R-rated indies off the family watchlist until they’re truly ready for the "weirdness."
- If your teen is asking about Barry, check out the Screenwise guide to Saltburn to understand exactly what the controversy is about.
- Watch Dunkirk together for a high-quality, age-appropriate introduction to his acting.
- Ask our chatbot for more Irish actor recommendations
