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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128 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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Julian Wood

FILMINK (Australia)

... comparable to Bill Forsyth’s cult favourite Local Hero or even, in a different way, Fisherman’s Friends. These films trade off big events and a wide focus for the authenticity and charm of real characters having small but true moments.

Rated: 15/20

Aug 19, 2025

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Matthew Koss

The Wandering Screen (YouTube)

Tim Key’s performance is nothing short of extraordinary. In a devastatingly beautiful moment, director John Griffiths holds the camera on Key’s face, which conveys a haunting blend of pain, longing, adoration, and hope.

Rated: A

Aug 17, 2025

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John Stark

Mac the Movie Guy

As the film itself ruminates on the life’s work of an artist, The Ballad Of Wallis Island feels more like a pleasant, but forgettable B-side track than one of the artist’s greatest hits.

Rated: 74/100

Aug 12, 2025

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Olivia W

Charming, original, completely enchanting film. Great characters. Perfect casting. A true gem.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/16/25

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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

Full Review

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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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