Director: Louis Paxton
Writer: Louis Paxton
Stars: Gayle Rankin, Domhnall Gleeson, John Hannah
Synopsis: On a remote Scottish isle, siblings Isla and Sandy hunt birds and talk to mythical beings while fighting off outsiders. Their lives change when Daniel, an awkward official, arrives to relocate them.
Louis Paxton’s directorial debut, The Incomer, is one of the most delightful and hilarious first feature films I’ve had the pleasure of watching in the last few years. The film leans heavily into Scottish folklore, centering on a brother and sister living on one of the many isolated islands off the coast of the Scottish Highlands. With only each other and the island’s animals for company, they honor their father’s dying wish to defend the land from any incomers from “the mainland” by any means necessary.
After spending decades undiscovered on the island, Isla (Gayle Rankin) and her brother Sandy (Grant O’Rourke) are understandably borderline insane, regularly scuffling with one another. Survival has become increasingly difficult, with the pair now living off seagull meat caught during the day between their military-style drills, all in preparation for an invasion from potential “incomers.”
In keeping with the themes on display throughout the film, the siblings’ drills often feel like something you might expect from Braveheart, not a lighthearted comedy. Strangely, though, it feels rather apt, especially when you take into account the mysterious and bonkers Finn-men. They are part human, part seal and they spend their existence lurking in the surrounding waters of the isle, constantly attempting to lure the siblings into the murky depths of the sea and have them sacrifice themselves to the waves. Just like the movie itself, they are suitably weird but for all the right reasons.
Unfortunately for Isla and Sandy, the peaceful paradise is about to be invaded by the pesky Scottish council who have caught wind of their existence. The council sends Daniel (Domhnall Gleeson), a nerdy, nonconfrontational guy to serve them with an eviction notice. That is far easier said than done. The tense, friction-filled interactions once Daniel reaches the island result in some hilariously nerve-wracking moments. His life flashes before his eyes more than once as he’s painted as the terrifying mainlander the siblings have spent years preparing for.
On the surface, The Incomer presents itself as quirky and goofy, but it’s the tender, and ultimately vulnerable, story of Isla and Sandy that truly begins to shine through. We learn about their father’s death and the way their mother “abandoned” them to return to the mainland, leaving the siblings to essentially raise themselves from childhood into adulthood. It’s a surprisingly poignant thread that, for the most part, lands beautifully and provides some much-needed depth to the characters’ stories.
Suitably, Louis Paxton leans into the mystery of what it would be like to be so out of touch with modern-day society. For the most part, that’s explored sensitively through deeper conversations, predominantly between Daniel and Isla as their relationship blossoms. Their connection never feels forced, despite how easily it could have fallen into that trap.
In tune with the rather crazy but entertaining tone of the film, Daniel’s tales of this mysterious mainland the siblings have missed out on provide some of its most charming moments. His retelling of “The Lord of the Rings” especially feels, in a strange way, relatable, as Isla and Sandy are completely captivated, much like audiences are when they first meet the Fellowship. It teleported me back to hearing my dad talk about the magical franchise, when I could sit down and listen for hours.
That said, there are definitely moments that threaten to derail the momentum, particularly after the unhinged council leader Roz (Michelle Gomez) lands on the island. While undoubtedly still very enjoyable, it feels rather telegraphed how the third act begins to unfold, perhaps ensuring a potentially big emotional punch doesn’t quite land as hard as it possibly could have. To Paxton’s credit, though, he’s able to hook audiences back in during the final moments, ensuring you’ll still have a beaming smile on your face as the credits begin to roll.
As well as being a barrel of laughs, The Incomer is impressively well acted. As expected, Domhnall Gleeson delivers a stellar performance, once again showcasing his impeccable comedic timing. His on-screen chemistry with Gayle Rankin is infectious, with their back-and-forth banter proving a real highlight. The same can be said for Grant O’Rourke, who plays Sandy with such convincing childlike innocence that he may well be the funniest character in the entire film. With the undoubted talent on display, that’s no easy feat.
So despite a slight decline towards the end, The Incomer remains a compelling and hugely enjoyable experience, packed with some of the best comedy you’re likely to see this year. It’s a deeply heartwarming story about genuine human connections, with a sprinkle of magic thrown in for good measure, and one that I’m sure most people will have a great time with. Even if the film ultimately heads in a direction you might expect, the journey there is more than worth taking.
