The Ballad of Wallis Island follows Charles, an awkward millionaire with a heart the size of a cargo ship, who retreats to the remote and melancholic Wallis Island in search of peace, clarity, and possibly some life answers. Then theres Herb a struggling musician who also has unresolved emotions in both personal and career life. It’s a feel-good dramedy that tugs at your feels like a toddler with separation anxiety—only funnier and with more country music.
Let’s get one thing straight: there are two types of millionaires. There’s Sean Combs, who throws yacht parties and wears sunglasses indoors. And then there’s Charles Heath, played by the incomparably gentle Tim Key—the kind of millionaire who probably sends you a handwritten thank-you note for borrowing a teaspoon. Be like Charles.
Tim Key delivers an absolute masterclass in restrained awkwardness. His comedic timing? Precise. His emotional depth? Profound. His ability to make you laugh while simultaneously breaking your heart into delicate, biodegradable pieces? 10/10.
Tom Basden and Carey Mulligan round out the cast with performances that are equally sweet and stirring. Their on-screen chemistry could power a small nation. You believe their history. You feel their regrets. You want to sit them down and say, “Guys… just talk it out.” But instead, you watch, utterly hooked.
The production is clean, minimal, and refreshingly unfussy. Shot on a bleakly beautiful island that feels like a character in its own right, Wallis might be plain, but it’s loaded with atmosphere. Think overcast skies, salty winds, and the kind of silence that makes you rethink every decision you’ve ever made.
The camera work complements this tone perfectly—lingering long enough to let the emotions settle, but never overstaying its welcome. The music? Oh, the music. This film doesn’t just use its soundtrack—it wields it. Songs flow through scenes like emotional glue, tying everything together with rhythm, nostalgia, and a bit of toe-tapping charm.
This isn’t your average quirky island tale. The Ballad of Wallis Island is a clever, soulful exploration of love, loss, and the minefield of human connection. It manages to be both funny and heart-wrenching without ever tipping too far in either direction. The plot gently unfolds like a well-written folk song—layers of history, longing, and hope teased out verse by verse.
Themes of grief, friendship, missed chances, and hopeful futures are explored with warmth and nuance. And perhaps the most beautiful part? It never feels forced. Every emotional beat lands authentically. You’re not being told how to feel—you’re feeling it because the film trusts you to.
The Ballad of Wallis Island is the kind of film you don’t just watch—you feel it. It sticks with you like a catchy melody on a long walk. If you’ve got a soft spot for gentle dramedies, awkwardly lovable millionaires, and meaningful glances across foggy cliffs, you owe yourself a trip to Wallis Island.
Be like Charles Heath. Just… maybe don’t buy an island.
