The Incomer

The Incomer is a 2026 British comedy film written and directed by Louis Paxton and produced by Shirley O'Connor and Emily Gotto, starring Domhnall Gleeson, Gayle Rankin, Grant O'Rourke, Emun Elliott, Michelle Gomez, and John Hannah.¹² The film had its world premiere in the Sundance Film Festival's NEXT section in 2026, where it won the NEXT Innovator Award.¹³⁴

On a remote Scottish island, siblings Isla (Gayle Rankin) and Sandy (Grant O'Rourke) 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".⁵⁶ Their world is upended when Daniel (Domhnall Gleeson), an awkward land recovery coordinator, arrives to relocate them to the mainland on orders from his intimidating boss Roz (Michelle Gomez).⁷ Isla is also haunted by visions of a Finman (John Hannah), a mythical creature who tries to lure her into the sea.⁶

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

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 and Step Brothers as influences.⁸

The film was produced by Shirley O'Connor and Emily Gotto under the UK banner Pilea Pictures, with Wendy Griffin as co-producer.² Backers include the BFI, Screen Scotland, Head Gear, and Ireland's Inevitable Pictures.⁹ Executive producers include Trevor Noah and musician Moby through their respective companies Day Zero Productions and Little Walnut.² Principal photography took place in Caithness and various Scottish Highlands locations in summer 2025.⁷¹⁰¹¹

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.⁴ It was also available online for public viewing from 29 January to 1 February 2026 through the festival's at-home program.¹ In February 2026, Sumerian Pictures acquired North American distribution rights to the film, planning to release it later that year.¹² 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, 2026.¹³¹⁴

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.⁷ 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.⁶ Fred Topel of UPI wrote that it is "exactly the kind of charming comedy that stands out in indie cinema."¹⁵

The Incomer won the NEXT Innovator Award at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival.¹⁶