This year so far has seen horror making the biggest headlines in cinema, with the likes of Sinners and Weapons gaining plaudits and breaking records.

But Digital Spy’s best British film of the year is a much less scary prospect, and no less enthralling and entertaining for all that. And you can now watch it at home.

The Ballad of Wallis Island had previously received a US home-ents digital release, but as of today it’s available in the UK too. You can buy it from Prime Video and Apple TV, among other platforms.

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The Ballad of Wallis Island, from writers and stars Tom Basden and Tim Key, is a funny, tender dramedy about a lonely and pun-obsessed lottery winner (Key) who invites both halves of his favourite folk duo (Carey Mulligan and Basden) to the little island he lives on for a reunion gig.

Trouble arises because he doesn’t tell each of them that the other is coming – because they split up romantically as well as professionally many years ago.

carey mulligan, akemnji ndifornyen, the ballad of wallis island

Focus Features/Universal Pictures

While the writers have previously specialised in heavily ironised comedy, The Ballad of Wallis Island marks a more sincere and emotional direction.

We said in our review earlier this year: “It has its sentimental moments, but is much more a comedy about grief, both of lost loves and what might have been professionally. It’s a comedy that questions whether you can regain what you’ve lost – or if you even should.”

tom basden, carey mulligan, tim key, the ballad of wallis island

Focus Features/Universal Pictures

Don’t just take our word for it – it currently holds a 97% critical approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with 93% audience approval.

The Times said there is “a balm of kindness in every frame that emerges from somewhere between Basden’s hangdog sensitivities and Key’s cherubic wit”, while the Guardian said: “You’ll leave wanting your own island, your own gig and your own lock of Carey Mulligan’s hair.”

Digital Spy’s new print issue is here! Buy Oasis – Live in ’25 in newsagents or online, now priced at just £8.99.

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Editor, Digital Spy Chris has over 25 years’ experience as a writer and editor, having worked as a journalist covering TV and movies since the ’90s. Starting out as a TV listings editor at the Press Association, he was quickly hired by the nascent Heat magazine, where he rose to become Senior Editor, interviewing the likes of Simon Cowell, Boris Johnson and Paris Hilton. Over the years he has written about entertainment with clarity and wit for Heat, Elle, Q, The Telegraph and of course Digital Spy, and has served many times as a judge in the Royal Television Society awards. He has written and recorded a novelty single with Lord Lloyd-Webber, written scripts for the National TV Awards, made Noel Edmonds cry, accidentally punched an Inbetweener and stolen a small piece of rubble from the Battle of Hogwarts movie set. (They can’t have it back.) LinkedIn
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