The Ballad of Wallis Island

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The Ballad of Wallis Island

PG-13

Released Mar 28

1h 40m

Comedy

Drama

Music

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97%

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122 Reviews

93%

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100+ Verified Ratings

THE BALLAD OF WALLIS ISLAND follows Charles (Tim Key), an eccentric lottery winner who lives alone on a remote island and dreams of getting his favorite musicians, McGwyer Mortimer (Tom Basden & Carey Mulligan) back together. His fantasy turns into reality when the bandmates and former lovers accept his invitation to play a private show at his home on Wallis Island. Old tensions resurface as Charles tries desperately to salvage his dream gig.

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Critics Consensus

The Ballad of Wallis Island hums along a sweet melody without lapsing into outright sentimentality, mining a great deal of warmth from its humble premise.

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Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

There are songs sung sweetly, insults hurled then retracted, and a balm of kindness in every frame that emerges from somewhere between Basden’s hangdog sensitivities and Key’s cherubic wit.

Rated: 4/5

Jun 4, 2025

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Danny Leigh

Financial Times

What you also don’t anticipate is how poignant it all gets — a melancholy farce with an oddly pure soul.

Rated: 4/5

Jun 4, 2025

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Clarisse Loughrey

Independent (UK)

Key and Basden avoid turning their film into a nostalgic pat on the back for smug millennials convinced they lived through artistically superior times -- the sense of loss here is strictly personal.

Rated: 4/5

Jun 3, 2025

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Sammie Purcell

Rough Draft Atlanta

“The Ballad of Wallis Island” aims to make a strong point about the very feeling of comfort it projects, about how we deal with nostalgia and move on.

Jul 18, 2025

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Cody Allen

Geek Vibes Nation

The Ballad of Wallis Island doesn’t shout its meaning from the rooftops. It barely even raises its voice. Instead, it trusts the audience to lean in close, to listen carefully to its quiet melody of loss, renewal, and grace.

Rated: 8/10

Jul 11, 2025

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Maxance Vincent

Film Speak

When it opens itself up and moves away from tropes that could’ve made it forgettable, The Ballad of Wallis Island suddenly becomes a smartly constructed motion picture, one that’s worthy of the crowd-pleasing praise it has been getting.

Rated: A-

Jul 11, 2025

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nicole j

Very well made movie and super funny too.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/13/25

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Paul C

Really cute show. A little slow at times but a really neat ending.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/08/25

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Jeff

Best movie of the year,incredible.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/27/25

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Brandon

Slow, boring, not enough music, no climax.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

04/26/25

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JEH

a thoughtful take on real life and relationships

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/26/25

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Rebecca D

I didn't go into this movie with a lot of expectations, mostly because I didn't know much about it, but now I'm a fan. It's adorable and fun and we need more movies like it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/23/25

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James Griffiths

Director

Tom Basden

Herb McGwyer

Tim Key

Charles Heath

Carey Mulligan

Nell Mortimer

Akemnji Ndifernyan

Michael

Sian Clifford

Amanda

The Ballad of Wallis Island: Exclusive Movie Clip - Anecdotes

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The Ballad of Wallis Island: Movie Clip - There Goes the Sun

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The Ballad of Wallis Island: Movie Clip - Anecdotes

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Comedian and Author Tim Key Talks Carey Mulligan & ‘The Ballad of Wallis Island

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The Ballad of Wallis Island: Trailer 2

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The Ballad of Wallis Island: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

THE BALLAD OF WALLIS ISLAND follows Charles (Tim Key), an eccentric lottery winner who lives alone on a remote island and dreams of getting his favorite musicians, McGwyer Mortimer (Tom Basden & Carey Mulligan) back together. His fantasy turns into reality when the bandmates and former lovers accept his invitation to play a private show at his home on Wallis Island. Old tensions resurface as Charles tries desperately to salvage his dream gig.

Director: James Griffiths
Producer: Rupert Majendie
Screenwriter: Tom Basden, Tim Key
Distributor: Focus Features
Production Co: Baby Cow Films
Rating: PG-13 (Some Language and Smoking)
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Music
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 28, 2025, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): May 6, 2025
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.6M
Runtime: 1h 40m

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