Review: The Ballad of Wallis Island

31 August, 2025 William Eguizabal 0 Comments 2 categories

Title: The Ballad of Wallis Island
MPA Rating: PG-13
Director: James Griffiths
Starring: Tom Basden, Carey Mulligan, Tim Key
Runtime: 1 hr 39 mins

What It Is: Charles (Key) has paid former folk musician Herb McGwyer (Basden) an obscene amount of money to perform a show on the small island he calls home. After winning the lottery, Charles decided this was the perfect use of some of his newfound wealth.

He also invited Herb’s former music partner, Nell (Mulligan), who is now married and living far removed from the music scene. But Nell and Herb—better known by their stage names, McGwyer and Mortimer—share a complicated history with one another. And as it turns out, the grand concert Charles has promised isn’t quite what he’s made it out to be.

What We Think: One thing I want to do in 2025, and going forward, is keep a “cry tracker.” Every time a film makes me cry, the tracker goes up by one. Well, 2025 just got its first notch.

Tim Key is absolutely incredible as Charles. Certain moments in this film had me genuinely emotional. It’s a gorgeous feature with outstanding performances—an excellent example of a director expanding his short film into a fully realized story.

Our Grade: A, Such a lovely film deserves to be seen by as many eyes as possible. Luckily for all of you Peacock has it streaming now. Click the button below to check it out. And be sure to bring tissues because if you’re like me the waterworks are going to hit. There’s something special about James Griffiths film here. I love when I go into a small film like this and walkout genuinely happy, to the point of tears, and surprised. It the best case scenario for something like this. See this immediately. Sometimes you just need a sweet movie. And this one is really quite sweet.