The Incomer (2026) - Film Review

Film Details

Director: Louis Paxton

Run Time: 1hr 42m

Cast: Domhnall Gleeson, Gayle Rankin, Grant O’Rourke, John Hannah, Michelle Gomez, Emun Elliott

Synopsis

A pair of siblings live on a remote Scottish island, living off of seagulls, telling stories about their ancestors and defending their home from evil newcomers

My Review

The Incomer is yet another wonderful surprise to come out of 2026 and further evidence as to why people really need to give Indie cinema a chance in theatres. This charming comedy takes a while to warm up but develops into something really special, it had the entire audience in hysterics together.

The humour is undoubtedly there, but under its surface The Incomer explores some pretty powerful themes. On the one hand the dangers of isolation and the absence of human connection, but on the other hand, a cautionary tale exploring just how depressing the modern world can be and how simply being surrounded by people doesn’t prevent loneliness, it’s being surrounded by the right people that can create happiness. For me the standout was Grant O’Rourke who illustrated impeccable comedic timing and delivered dialogue in a way that evoked a reaction every single time, a performance akin to Zach Galifianakis in The Hangover. Meanwhile, the film itself and its satire approach to storytelling reminded me of The Banshees of Inisherin, albeit slightly more lighthearted. Although direct comparison can sometimes be a crude way of reviewing a film, I highlight those similarities to encourage everyone to see The Incomer if they can, you certainly won’t regret it!

My Rating: 7 out of 10

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Film Review Club