The ballad of Wallis Island is a 2025 British folk‑drama film about an eccentric lottery winner who lives alone on a remote island and pays his favourite estranged folk duo to reunite for an intimate private concert, forcing all three to confront grief, nostalgia and unfinished relationships. Viewers can expect a melancholy but funny story set over a single charged weekend, with original music, awkward humour and a strong focus on character rather than action. This guide explains the plot, themes, cast, release details and practical viewing information, along with common questions people ask about The Ballad of Wallis Island.
Story and setting
The Ballad of Wallis Island centres on Charles, a wealthy but lonely lottery winner who lives on a tiny private island off the coast of Britain, and dreams of reuniting his favourite folk duo, McGwyer Mortimer, for a one‑night‑only show at his home. He invites Herb McGwyer and Nell Mortimer, former bandmates and ex‑lovers who have not performed together for years, to the island with a huge fee and the promise of an easy, private gig.
The film uses the enclosed island setting to trap the characters together, so simmering tensions over money, past love, and creative regret have nowhere to escape. Over the course of rehearsals, dinners and a local seaside celebration, buried resentments and unresolved grief emerge, especially around Charles’s late wife Marie and Nell’s decision to walk away from music.
Key characters and cast
Charles, the awkward but big‑hearted superfan who owns Wallis Island, is played by British comedian Tim Key, bringing a mix of dry humour and deep sadness to the role. Herb McGwyer, once half of a celebrated folk duo and now a struggling solo musician, is portrayed by Tom Basden, who also contributes original songs to the film.
Carey Mulligan plays Nell Mortimer, a former folk star who has quit touring and now sells homemade products at farmers’ markets in Portland, Oregon, trying to build a quieter life. The small supporting cast includes island locals such as Amanda, who runs the only shop, and Nell’s American husband Michael, whose presence complicates the emotional triangle on the island.
Themes and tone
At its core, The Ballad of Wallis Island explores the dangers of living in the past: Charles clings to memories of his wife and a band that no longer exists, while Herb and Nell struggle with what their relationship used to be versus what their lives have become. The film suggests that nostalgia can be comforting but also suffocating when it stops people from moving forward.
Despite this melancholy undercurrent, the tone is often warm and gently comic, with awkward dinners, misread gestures and wry musical jokes breaking the tension. Original folk songs, written in‑character for McGwyer Mortimer, give the story a lived‑in musical texture and make the final performance sequence emotionally cathartic rather than showy.
Plot highlights
When Herb arrives first on Wallis Island, he thinks he is playing a simple, extremely well‑paid private show for Charles’s select guests, only to be blindsided when Nell and her husband unexpectedly join the booking. The supposed reunion quickly turns sour when Nell discovers she is being paid significantly less than Herb, igniting arguments about fairness, old wounds and who really sacrificed what for the band.
As Michael disappears on a bird‑watching tour on the far side of the island, Herb and Nell are left alone to rehearse their old songs, and the chemistry between them resurfaces while Charles hovers anxiously around his idols. A seaside “Seamen’s Day” celebration, lantern‑lighting ritual, and a mistaken attempt at a sea rescue lead to a turning point where all three characters finally acknowledge their grief and let go of the fantasy that the past can simply be replayed.
Release, runtime and rating
The Ballad of Wallis Island is a feature film running approximately 1 hour 39 minutes and is rated PG‑13, making it suitable for teens and adults who enjoy character‑driven dramas with mild language and mature themes. It premiered on the festival circuit, including Sundance selections and regional festivals such as Whānau Mārama events, before rolling out to cinemas.
The film’s wider theatrical release in 2025 included UK and US art‑house cinemas and selected multiplex chains under specialty divisions such as Focus Features. After the theatrical window, it is expected to move to major streaming platforms or digital rental services, following typical 45–90 day post‑cinema timelines used by comparable independent titles.
Practical information and viewing
Most territories list The Ballad of Wallis Island with standard evening showtimes, typically between 5:00 pm and 9:30 pm, plus weekend matinees depending on the cinema. Ticket prices generally match other new releases, often in the range used for regular 2D screenings at local theatres in your area.
To watch in a cinema, check local listings on major ticketing apps or cinema chains using the film’s full title, as some venues may programme it only for limited runs or special “indie” slots. Once a digital or streaming release is confirmed, viewers will be able to rent or buy it via common online storefronts or access it on subscription platforms carrying Focus Features titles.
Tips for viewers
The film rewards viewers who enjoy slow‑burn emotional stories more than big plot twists, so expect conversation‑driven scenes and musical moments rather than action. Watching with good speakers or headphones helps with appreciating the original folk songs and subtle sound design that support the intimate mood.
Fans of gentle British comedies, character pieces set in confined locations, or music‑centric dramas like Once or Inside Llewyn Davis are especially likely to appreciate The Ballad of Wallis Island. The PG‑13 rating means older children and teens can watch, but the themes of grief, regret and adult relationships may resonate more with mature audiences.
Seasonal and location context
Although Wallis Island in the film is fictional and placed off the British coast, its name echoes the real Pacific island of Wallis (Uvea) in the French territory of Wallis and Futuna, known historically for Polynesian settlement and later French Catholic influence. This shared name can cause some confusion in online searches, but the movie’s action is firmly set in a cool, temperate North Atlantic‑style environment rather than the tropics.
The story appears to unfold over late spring or summer days, with outdoor tennis, beach scenes and lantern‑lighting at sunset giving the film a soft, coastal look. This seasonal backdrop contrasts with the characters’ heavy emotional baggage, underlining how picturesque settings cannot, on their own, fix unresolved pain.
Frequently asked questions
What is The Ballad of Wallis Island about?
It is about a lottery winner who hires his favourite estranged folk duo to reunite and perform on his remote island, forcing them all to face grief, nostalgia and old romantic tensions.
Is Wallis Island a real place?
The Wallis Island depicted in the film is fictional and located off the British coast, but its name recalls the real Wallis Island in the South Pacific territory of Wallis and Futuna.
Who stars in The Ballad of Wallis Island?
Tim Key plays Charles, the eccentric fan; Tom Basden plays Herb, and Carey Mulligan plays Nell, the other half of the folk duo.
How long is the film?
The Ballad of Wallis Island runs around 1 hour 39 minutes, which is typical for a mid‑length feature drama.
What is the age rating?
The film is rated PG‑13, reflecting mild language, emotional themes around death and relationships, and some alcohol use but no graphic content.
When was The Ballad of Wallis Island released?
It premiered on the festival circuit in early 2025, including Sundance selections, and then rolled out to cinemas in various regions later that year.
Where can I watch it now?
During its theatrical window, it screens in selected cinemas; after that, it is expected to appear on digital rental and streaming platforms that carry Focus Features releases.
Is The Ballad of Wallis Island a comedy or drama?
It is best described as a melancholic dramedy, blending gentle British humour with serious themes of loss, regret and mid‑life reassessment.
Is there a real band called McGwyer Mortimer?
McGwyer Mortimer is a fictional folk duo created for the film, with original songs written and performed in‑character rather than by an existing real‑world act.
What themes does the film explore?
Major themes include the pull of nostalgia, how grief shapes identity, the limits of fandom, and the difficulty of truly letting go of former versions of oneself and past relationships.
Is The Ballad of Wallis Island suitable for families?
Families with teens who enjoy music and character‑driven stories may find it suitable, but younger children may not connect with its talk‑heavy structure and adult emotional conflicts.
Does the film have original music?
Yes, it features original folk songs written to sound like the repertoire of a once‑popular duo, woven into rehearsals and the climactic performance.
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