The Incomer

On a remote Scottish island, siblings Isla and Sandy have lived alone for 30 years since their parents disappeared, surviving by hunting seabirds, speaking to mythical creatures, and defending their home from dreaded "incomers".^[9][10] Their world is upended when Daniel, an awkward land recovery coordinator, arrives to relocate them to the mainland on orders from his intimidating boss Roz.^[11] Isla is also haunted by visions of a Finman, a mythical creature who tries to lure her into the sea.^[10]

• Domhnall Gleeson as Daniel
• Gayle Rankin as Isla
• Grant O'Rourke as Sandy
• Emun Elliott as Calum
• Michelle Gomez as Roz
• John Hannah as Finman

Director Louis Paxton said the film was inspired by his family's Orcadian heritage. He described the film as "heartfelt, odd and absurdly funny" and cited the films Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016) and Step Brothers (2008) as influences.^[12]

The film was produced by Shirley O'Connor and Emily Gotto under the UK banner Pilea Pictures, with Wendy Griffin as co-producer.^[6] Backers include the BFI, Screen Scotland, Head Gear, and Ireland's Inevitable Pictures.^[13] Executive producers include Trevor Noah and musician Moby through their respective companies Day Zero Productions and Little Walnut.^[6] Principal photography took place in Caithness and various Scottish Highlands locations in summer 2025.^[11][14][15]

The film had its world premiere in the NEXT section at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival on January 22, 2026, winning the NEXT Innovator Award.^[8] It was also available online for public viewing from 29 January to 1 February 2026 through the festival's at-home program.^[5] In February 2026, Sumerian Pictures acquired North American distribution rights to the film, planning to release on September 25, 2026.^[16] In May 2026, Focus Features acquired international rights to the film, with its parent company Universal Pictures later scheduling the film for a theatrical release in the United Kingdom and Ireland on September 4, 2026.^[17][18]

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 95% of 61 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.3/10. The website's consensus reads: "The Incomer's inviting performances and quirky edge make it a refreshingly good-natured character study of human connection."^[19]

Tom Dawson of Screen Daily called the film "a charming, defiantly regional human drama" with "a trio of strong performances," comparing its tone to The Ballad of Wallis Island meets The Wicker Man.^[11]

Nick Schager of The Daily Beast described it as "winningly weird" with "a wittiness that's almost as odd as its heart is big," praising Rankin's performance and comparing the film to The Banshees of Inisherin.^[10]

Fred Topel of UPI wrote that it is "exactly the kind of charming comedy that stands out in indie cinema."^[20]

Adrian Horton wrote in The Guardian: "From the first shots of Isla (Gayle Rankin) and Sandy (Grant O’Rourke) caw-caw-ing like birds and beating sacks labelled 'incomer' with clubs, Paxton commits to an askew, often alienating angle of humour – quirky, at times juvenile, a touch dark, altogether difficult to settle into for anyone with an aversion to twee."^[21]

In Variety, Tomris Laffly wrote: "Louis Paxton’s seaside tale starring Domhnall Gleeson alongside the terrific duo Gayle Rankin and Grant O’Rourke is too twee at times, but still winsome and disarmingly good-natured."^[22]

The Incomer won the NEXT Innovator Award at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival.^[23]