Director: James Griffiths

Cast: Carey Mulligan, Tom Basden, Tim Key, Sian Clifford, Akemnji Ndifornyen

The Ballad of Wallis Island is a 2025 British comedy-drama film directed by James Griffiths, starring Carey Mulligan and Tom Basden. Set on a windswept remote island, it blends dry wit with warmth, following one man's quixotic scheme to bring live music to his doorstep — and everything that unravels as a result.

What is The Ballad of Wallis Island about?

Charles, a reclusive and somewhat peculiar lottery jackpot winner, has retreated from the world to a tiny island far from the mainland. His days are quiet and his imagination loud. When he manages to hire his all-time favorite musical duo to play a private concert at his home, the arrival of two musicians — with their own complicated history — turns what should have been a simple weekend performance into something far messier and more meaningful. Old wounds reopen, creative tensions flare, and Charles himself is forced to reckon with what he actually wants from life. The film unfolds with a gentle, comedic hand, using the island's isolation as a pressure cooker for its characters' unresolved lives.

Cast & crew

Carey Mulligan brings her trademark blend of intelligence and emotional precision to the role, while Tom Basden and Tim Key handle the comedic rhythms with understated confidence. Sian Clifford and Akemnji Ndifornyen round out a cast that keeps the film grounded even at its most absurdist. Director James Griffiths maintains a light touch throughout, letting character dynamics breathe.

Context & significance

British indie comedies with a music backbone have long found a dedicated audience among Persian-speaking viewers abroad who appreciate dry humour and character-first storytelling. The Ballad of Wallis Island fits squarely in that tradition — unhurried, quietly emotional, and carried by strong performances rather than plot machinery. For diaspora audiences accustomed to watching English-language content, this film is available on K-Time with a full Persian dub as well as Persian subtitles, so you can enjoy it however feels most comfortable. Its themes of solitude, fantasy, and the gap between imagination and reality resonate across cultures.

Where & how to watch

The Ballad of Wallis Island is available on K-Time with Persian dubbing and Persian subtitles. Watch on the web, your TV, or your phone — no VPN needed, no geo-blocking, and you can cancel anytime. No extra download required.