--- title: "The Incomer: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/the-incomer/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/the-incomer" critics_score: 68 critics_reviews: 14 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # The Incomer (2026): what the critics said Critics' score 68 from 14 reviews: 10 positive, 2 mixed, 2 negative. Most critics respond warmly to The Incomer’s oddball Scottish fable, finding humour and feeling in its account of isolation, belonging and resistance to change. Praise centres on the three leads, with Gayle Rankin’s performance as Isla drawing particular attention for its physical comedy and emotional range. The remote island setting, landscape photography and animated sequences also win approval. For the favourable reviews, the eccentricity leaves enough space for the characters’ loneliness and growing affection to matter. The main disagreement is over how much whimsy the comedy can bear. Even several admirers find it too twee at times, while some note stretches that drag or lose momentum. The spread is wide: The Guardian finds the quirky humour consistently unfunny and obscuring any insight into human connection. The Hollywood Reporter likewise finds the comedy abrasive, though it recognises poignancy in Gleeson’s performance and the treatment of change. ## RogerEbert.com — Brian Tallerico Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 24 January 2026. Festival review. Louis Paxton's debut is a delightful, funny, weird, and even a bit moving film with broad appeal. It singles out Gayle Rankin's spectacular performance as Isla for praise. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/festivals/sundance-2026-i-want-your-sex-the-incomer-paralyzed-by-hope-the-maria-bamford-story) ## Slant Magazine — Justin Clark Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 14 July 2026. The critic describes the film as a quirky, ultimately heartwarming seaside fable that balances absurdity with respect for the characters' traditions, praising the lead performances for their commitment and range. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/the-incomer-review-domhnall-gleeson-gayle-rankin/) ## Time Out — Stephen A Russell Rating 4/5. 23 August 2026. The critic calls the film a furiously funny piece of Scottish folklore with a delightfully dotty tone and a Lanthimos-like twist on its Celtic spirit. They single out the strong physical comedy, memorable performances (especially Gayle Rankin’s wild turn), inventive costumes and animation sequences, and the striking use of Highlands locations for praise. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/the-incomer-review-2026) ## The Observer — Wendy Ide Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 6 September 2026. The critic calls it a droll first feature that is an intriguingly oddball proposition living by its own unconventional rules, mixing live action with animation and gentle humour with savagery. It occasionally veers too close to handwoven whimsy but remains compelling. [Read the review](https://observer.co.uk/culture/film/article/film-reviews-the-incomer) ## Variety — Tomris Laffly Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 6 February 2026. Festival review. The film is too twee at times but remains winsome and disarmingly good-natured, earning a heartwarming finale. It singles out Gayle Rankin's magnificently layered portrayal of Isla for praise. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2026/film/reviews/the-incomer-review-louis-paxton-1236654104/) ## Screen Daily Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 23 January 2026. Festival review. The critic describes an intriguing debut that makes effective use of its remote island setting and strong performances from the leads, evolving into a charming regional human drama despite some overly whimsical moments. They single out the impressive sense of place, elemental soundtrack and cinematography capturing the rugged landscape for praise. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/the-incomer-review-domhnall-gleeson-seeks-common-ground-in-quirky-scottish-comedy/5212885.article) ## The Guardian Fi1m's normalised score 35/100 (inferred from the text). 24 January 2026. Festival review. The critic finds the film overly twee and consistently unfunny, with quirky weirdness burying any insights into human connection or modern life. Gleeson provides some charm as the outsider, but the siblings' ignorance gags and cutesy elements dominate. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/jan/24/the-incomer-review-domhnall-gleeson-tries-to-lift-aggressively-quirky-comedy) ## The Hollywood Reporter — David Rooney Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 22 January 2026. Festival review. The critic finds the comedy abrasively unfunny and twee, criticizing the quirkiness and whimsy as overwhelming, but notes some poignancy in Gleeson's performance and the theme of change. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/the-incomer-review-domhnall-gleeson-gayle-rankin-1236481776/) ## The Wrap Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 30 January 2026. Festival review. Paxton's feature debut is a charming, cozy fish-out-of-water comedy blending oddball mythology, deadpan humor, and themes of grief and resistance to change on a remote Scottish isle. The well-oiled trio of Rankin, O’Rourke, and Gleeson drives the conflicts with hilarious chemistry while delivering valuable lessons between the reclusive siblings and the outsider. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/creative-content/movies/the-incomer-review-domhnall-gleeson/) ## The Playlist — Marshall Shaffer Rating B. 23 January 2026. Festival review. The review describes it as a fun adult fairy tale with delightful performances, especially from Gleeson and O’Rourke, praising the sincere spirit of belonging and hope over fear, though noting it runs out of steam and leans twee at times. [Read the review](https://theplaylist.net/the-incomer-review-domhnall-gleeson-and-gayle-rankin-lead-a-fun-fairy-tale-for-adults-sundance-20260123/) ## Eye for Film — Jeremy Mathews Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 3 February 2026. Festival review. The critic praises the film's whimsical take on isolation and sibling dynamics, highlighting the charming animated sequences and strong performances, while noting it opens discussions on societal living and loneliness. They single out the warm relationships and humorous elements for praise. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/the-incomer-2026-film-review-by-jeremy-mathews) ## Collider — Therese Lacson Rating 7/10. 25 January 2026. Festival review. The critic finds the film a quirky, funny, and over-the-top comedy balanced with charm and earnestness that will leave viewers giggling. The standout element praised is the charming and unique performances from the three leads, particularly Gayle Rankin's layered portrayal of Isla. [Read the review](https://collider.com/the-incomer-review-domhnall-gleeson-sundance/) ## Deadline — Damon Wise Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 22 January 2026. Festival review. The film is a mild folk-horror comedy riffing on Local Hero and The League of Gentlemen, fitting into Sundance's World Dramatic Competition with eccentric characters on a remote Scottish island. It pulls together in the end thanks to the core trio's performances, addressing a dark well of sadness with an upbeat, emotional note despite frequent silliness. [Read the review](https://deadline.com/2026/01/the-incomer-review-louis-paxton-domhnall-gleeson-1236692432/) ## The Skinny — Stefania Sarrubba Rating ★★★. 4 February 2026. Festival review. The critic finds Louis Paxton’s debut a poignant if at times twee fable of culture clashes and belonging, anchored by charming central performances especially Gayle Rankin’s feral energy. It offers childlike wonder and quirks but its quaintness and occasional dragging sequences may not suit everyone, yet ultimately succeeds as a headstrong folktale with humour and heart. [Read the review](https://www.theskinny.co.uk/film/new-releases/the-incomer-review) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/the-incomer.md