Taskmaster star's British comedy debuts with strong RT rating
Taskmaster star Tim Key's new British comedy The Ballad of Wallis Island has debuted with a strong Rotten Tomatoes rating.
Written by and starring Key (Alan Partridge, Pls Like) and Tom Basden (Plebs, Star Stories), with Carey Mulligan (Promising Young Woman, Maestro) also starring, the film tells the story of a man who has won the lottery.
And what does he decide to do with his money? Invite his favourite formerly-married musical duo McGwyer-Mortimer to play on his remote island, of course. Unfortunately, McGwyer had no idea his ex was coming, nor that she would be turning up with her new husband.
Related: UK film release dates
Following its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, The Ballad of Wallis Island currently stands at a very impressive score of 92% on Rotten Tomatoes, from 12 reviews.
Critics have praised it for its gentle British humour brought to life through Key's eccentric character Charles and his endless stream of puns, but for also deftly handling the pathos that lurks just below the surface.
Here's what some of the reviews have said:
Screen Daily
"Eccentric British humour and pathos lift their voices in gentle harmony in James Griffiths’ heartwarming comic crowd-pleaser that indicates no man is an island – even if he lives on one. He and writers/co-stars Tom Basden and Tim Key find the sweet spot between silliness and sentimentality while adding a dash of John Carney-style musical wistfulness to their tale of connection and moving on."
IndieWire
"This trio could easily be reduced to tropes or archetypes: the sell-out rock star, the crunchy has-been, and the kooky fan, but Basden and Key know their guys and gal, and where they need to go."
Related: Best film and TV tours for 2025
ScreenRant
"Basden and Key, who wrote the film together after releasing a short based on the concept with director James Griffith 18 years ago, could play this straight, but Charles is the film's secret weapon. His off-kilter sense of humor, played with oblivious charm by Key, makes Nell and Herb's reunion a comedy of manners by way of a fish-out-of-water concept, except Nell and Herb are the fish and Charles is constantly throwing zingers and surprises their way."
RogerEbert.com
"Like John Candy's Del Griffith, Charles is a well-intentioned oaf with an undimmed disposition. He says such awe-shuck lines like, 'There's a wowser for your trousers.' He also can't read the room... As Charles, Key is the perfect balance between adorable and annoying, adding subtle grace notes of grief to an already affecting comedic performance."
The Ballad of Wallis Island will have a limited theatrical release in the US on March 28. A UK release date has not been confirmed at the current time.
PS5 Slim Disc Console
Get 2 Echo Dot (3rd Gen) for the price of 1 with promo code
£184.00 at John Lewis & Partners £184.00 at John Lewis & Partners
All-new Amazon Echo Dot (4th gen) | Smart speaker with Alexa | Charcoal
Google Pixel 6 (128GB, unlocked)
iPhone XR
Michelle Keegan's Fool Me Once outfits
Apple AirPods with charging case (wired)
Glen Powell Twisters T-shirt
Audible, 3 months for 99p
Shop Apple iPhone 13 Pro Black Friday deals with Three
Nintendo Switch OLED Console & Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Bundle
Samsung Galaxy S10
Oral-B Smart 6 6000N CrossAction Electric Toothbrush
Watch the Fallout TV show for free
Oral-B Pro 3 electric toothbrush double-pack
PS5 Slim Disc Console
PlayStation Portal
Shop Xbox Series S with Very
Echo Spot
Save on selected Samsung Galaxy S22+ contracts with Sky
Richard Osman: We Solve Murders
Amazon Entertainment Pack: Fire TV Stick with Echo Dot (3rd Gen)
Nintendo Switch Lite Turquoise with Pokemon Shield
Shark Anti-Hair Wrap IZ201UKT Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
Nintendo Switch OLED bundle with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe + 3 months' Switch Online
Shop Samsung Galaxy S20+ 5G with EE
Shop Sky TV, broadband and mobile deals
Xbox Series X
PlayStation Portal
PlayStation 4 Pro Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Bundle with NOW TV
Nintendo Switch (Neon Blue/Neon Red) + Mario Kart 8 Deluxe + Nintendo Switch Online (3 Months)
Claudia Winkleman’s The Traitors outfits
Richard Osman: We Solve Murders
3 months of free Apple Music
Shop Three's unlimited data, 5G-ready SIM-only deals
PS5 Console & EA Sports FC 24 Bundle
Google Pixel Buds
Nintendo Switch OLED Console & Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Bundle
All-new Echo Dot (5th generation, 2022 release) with Alexa
Apple Airpods with Charging Case (2nd Generation)
Xbox Series X
All-new Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote (includes TV controls) | HD streaming device | 2020 release
Fitbit Versa 2
Echo Dot (3rd Generation) Alexa smart speaker
Philips 55OLED806 55" 4K smart Ambilight OLED TV
Buy Alison Hammond's outfits
Converse x Wonka Chuck Taylor All Star Easy On
PS5 Slim Consoles
Google Pixel Buds
Fire TV Stick 4K with Alexa Voice Remote
Richard Osman: We Solve Murders
BEATS Solo 3 Wireless Bluetooth Headphones - Black
Echo Dot (3rd Generation) Alexa smart speaker
Nintendo Switch OLED bundle with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe + 3 months' Switch Online
Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote
Save on EE's 160GB SIM-only deal
Sony Bravia KD55AG8 OLED HDR 4K Ultra HD Smart Android TV
Crockpot CSC031 Slow Cooker, Plastic, 5 liters, Black
Dr Martens Blade Runner and Mad Max boots
How to watch Dune: Part 2 at home right now
Nintendo Switch OLED Console & Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Bundle
PS5 Slim Consoles
Apple AirPods Pro 2
Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote
Buy Alison Hammond's outfits
Apple AirPods (2021)
Amazon Prime members can save on Britbox - 3 months for 99p
Shop Sky TV, broadband and mobile
Best refurbished phones you can buy in 2024
Apple AirPods Pro 2
PS5 Console & EA Sports FC 24 Bundle
Shop Sky TV, phone and broadband deals
PS5 Slim Consoles
2019 Apple AirPods with Wireless Charging Case
Oral B Genius X Limited Edition Electric Toothbrush - Rose Gold
Google Pixel 9 (128GB, SIM-free in Obsidian)
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate 3-month membership
Fitbit Versa 2
eufy by Anker, BoostIQ RoboVac 11S (Slim) robot vacuum cleaner
PlayStation Plus 12-month membership (UK)
Apple AirPods (2021)
Shop Three's unlimited data, 5G-ready SIM-only deals
Taskmaster Christmas crackers
Dr Martens Blade Runner and Mad Max boots
PlayStation Plus - 12 month membership
Shop Sky TV, broadband and mobile
Missing You: Coming soon to Netflix!
Buy Alison Hammond's outfits
Deadpool & Wolverine's 'best friends' necklace
Philips Sonicare DiamondClean 9000 Sonic electric toothbrush (2-pack)
Apple TV+ 7-day free trial
Shop Sky TV, broadband and mobile
Ninja Foodi AF300UK dual zone air fryer
Shop Three's unlimited data, 5G-ready SIM-only deals
Google Pixel 9 - Unlocked Android Smartphone with Gemini, Advanced Camera, 24-Hour Battery, and 6.3" Actua Display - Obsidian, 128GB
Shark Anti Hair Wrap cordless stick vacuum (pet model)
Echo Dot (3rd Generation) Alexa smart speaker
All-new Fire 7 Tablet
Missing You book
Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote | streaming media player
Shark Anti Hair Wrap cordless stick vacuum (pet model)
Google Pixel 7 – Unlocked - 128GB
Audible free trial
Save on selected SIM-only deals with EE
Google Pixel 9 (128GB, SIM-free in Obsidian)
PlayStation Plus (UK) 12-month membership
Taskmaster Christmas crackers
Bose wireless Bluetooth NFC headphones
Dr Martens Blade Runner and Mad Max boots
Glen Powell Twisters T-shirt
Shop Apple iPhone 13 Pro Black Friday deals with Three
Sign up for Disney+
Apple iPad 10.2
Google Pixel 7a
Ninja Foodi AF300UK dual zone air fryer
Helldivers 2 (PC digital code)
Shark Anti-Hair Wrap IZ201UKT Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate 3-month membership
PS5 Slim Consoles
Apple TV+ 7-day free trial
Buy Cat Deeley's This Morning outfits
Save on selected SIM-only deals with EE
Shop Sky TV, broadband and mobile
Looking for a PS5? Visit our stock guide
Google Pixel 7 – Unlocked - 128GB
Shop Three's unlimited data, 5G-ready SIM-only deals
Looking for a PS5? Visit our stock guide
Surface Pro 7 + type cover bundle
Sign up for Disney+
Ninja Foodi MAX air fryer
Bose wireless Bluetooth NFC headphones
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2
Buy Cat Deeley's This Morning outfits
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2
Entertainment Pack: Fire TV Stick (includes TV controls) with Echo Dot (3rd Gen)
Apple AirPods (2nd gen)
Google Pixel 7a
Apple iPad 10.2
Philips 55OLED806 55" 4K smart Ambilight OLED TV
Crunchyroll 14-day free trial
Echo Dot (3rd Gen) - Smart speaker with Alexa
Buy Cat Deeley's This Morning outfits
Google Pixel 7 – Unlocked - 128GB
Apple AirPods Pro 2nd gen
Xbox One X Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order bundle
Bluey-themed family dinners launch at Gousto
Entertainment Pack: Fire TV Stick (includes TV controls) with Echo Dot (3rd Gen)
Surface Pro 7 + type cover bundle
Crockpot CSC031 Slow Cooker, Plastic, 5 liters, Black
Ninja Foodi MAX air fryer
Google Pixel 7a
Philips Sonicare DiamondClean 9000 Sonic electric toothbrush with app(Model HX9914/54)
Sign up for Disney+
Apple AirPods (2nd gen)
Echo Dot (5th generation, 2022 release)
Echo Dot (3rd Gen) - Smart speaker with Alexa
Sonos Move Smart Speaker with voice control
Anker Power Bank - compact portable charger
Apple AirPods Pro 2nd gen
Amazon Music unlimited - 4 months for 99p
Echo Dot (5th generation, 2022 release)
LEGO Disney and Pixar ‘Up’ House
Sign up for Disney+
Xbox One X Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order bundle
Oral-B Pro 3 Electric Toothbrush
Sonos Move Smart Speaker with voice control
Anker Power Bank - compact portable charger
LEGO Disney and Pixar ‘Up’ House
NOW TV 1 MONTH SKY ENTERTAINMENT PASS
Buy Alison Hammond's outfits
PS Plus Discount With Gift Cards
Oral-B Pro 3 Electric Toothbrush
Anker Power Bank - compact portable charger
Apple Airpods with Wireless Charging Case (latest Model)
The Street of Lies: An Official Coronation Street Interactive Novel
Buy Cat Deeley's This Morning outfits
PS Plus Discount With Gift Cards
Shop Sky TV, broadband and mobile
The Street of Lies: An Official Coronation Street Interactive Novel
Oral-B Pro 3 Electric Toothbrush
PS Plus Discount With Gift Cards
Shop Sky TV, broadband and mobile
Death in Paradise: The Puzzle Book
Shop Sky TV, broadband and mobile
Death in Paradise: The Puzzle Book
The Street of Lies: An Official Coronation Street Interactive Novel
Death in Paradise: The Puzzle Book
You Might Also Like