One of 2025’s most delightful movies is now available to stream at home

The underseen gem of a film holds a whopping 96% score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Accessible through the service NOW, the film revolves around Herb McGwyer (co-writer Tom Basden, of the upcoming How to Get to Heaven from Belfast), a musician who was once one-half of the popular folk band McGwyer Mortimer.

After the breakup of the group, Herb's solo career hasn't been the resounding success he had hoped. Needing money to fund his next record, he accepts an offer of £500,000 to travel to the remote but picturesque Wallis Island for a performance.

Upon his arrival, however, Herb is shocked to learn that he will be playing for just one person, Charles (co-writer Tim Key, The Paper), a wealthy, awkward but enthusiastic fan.

Even worse, Charles has also invited Nell Mortimer (Oscar-nominee Carey Mulligan, Drive) to the island, Herb's former McGwyer Mortimer bandmate, with whom he went through a romantic break-up.

The Ballad of Wallis Island Trailer

Thanks to its gorgeous setting, its heartfelt and witty screenplay, as well as one of the funniest performances in recent memory from Tim Key, The Ballad of Wallis Island is a true crowdpleaser, one that should inspire big laughs and maybe even a few tears.

JOE had the pleasure of talking to Basden, Key and their director, James Griffiths (Bad Sisters), about the comedy ahead of its theatrical release.

One of the questions we had for Basden was whether there were any particular musicians he looked to for inspiration for the character of Herb McGwyer, both in terms of his music and his persona.

While the actor and writer said no one specific artist inspired Herb, he did add that he channelled elements from certain music stars, including Ireland's own Van Morrison.

He explained to JOE:

"Herb's kind of grumpiness, I was sort of channelling that kind of Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, Ryan Adams-y quite grumpy personality.

"Someone for whom being thrown in with their fans would be the worst nightmare for that person. I was definitely making use of that kind of thing."

Basden then clarified: "But there's no specific artist that inspired Herb. Really, it's more of a fable about creativity in general and compromise and someone who, through the course of the film, comes to see themselves honestly and actually faces up to what they've done and the choices they've made."

You can read more about The Ballad of Wallis Island here, particularly its connections to another modern classic movie about a musician.

The 2025 film is currently available to stream in Ireland and the UK through the service NOW.

Turn your home into a cinema with this projector 

Do you love movies? Have you ever dreamt of turning your home into your own cinema?

If so, then you may be interested in a home theatre projector we spotted on sale on Amazon with “impressive quality”.

The 4K projector has the likes of YouTube, Netflix and Prime Video built in, so you can access thousands of films and shows without an additional TV stick, and you can also connect it to Bluetooth on your phone and laptop.

It’s currently priced at €53.52 in a limited-time deal on the Amazon website.

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