Louis Paxton’s directorial debut The Incomer is one of the most delightful and hilarious debut feature films I’ve had the pleasure of watching in the last few years. The film leans heavily into Scottish folklore, centring on a brother and sister living on one of the many isolated islands off the coast of the Scottish Highlands. With only each other and the island’s animals for company, they honour their father’s dying wish to defend the land from any incomers from “the mainland” by any means necessary.

After spending decades undiscovered on the island, Isla (Gayle Rankin) and her brother Sandy (Grant O’Rourke) are understandably borderline insane, regularly scuffling with one another on an almost daily basis. Survival has become increasingly difficult, with the pair now living off seagull meat caught during the day between their regular military-style drills, all in preparation for an invasion from potential incomers. Think along the lines of Braveheart and you won’t be too far from the tone of these drills. If that wasn’t bonkers enough, mysterious fin men lurk in the surrounding waters, attempting to lure the siblings in as a sacrifice.

Unfortunately for Isla and Sandy, the pesky Scottish council eventually catch wind of their existence and send Daniel (Domhnall Gleeson) to serve them with an eviction notice. That is far easier said than done. The tense, friction-filled interactions once Daniel reaches the island result in some hilariously nerve-wracking moments, with his life flashing before his eyes more than once as he’s painted as the terrifying mainlander the siblings have spent years preparing for.

On the surface The Incomer presents itself as quite quirky and goofy, but it’s the tender and ultimately vulnerable story of Isla and Sandy that truly begins to shine through. We learn about their father’s death and the way their mother “abandoned” them to return to the mainland, leaving the siblings to essentially raise themselves from childhood into adulthood. It’s a surprisingly emotional thread that, for the most part, lands beautifully and I’m sure will resonate to more than a few despite its remote setting.

Watching Daniel regale tales of the mainland to these two islanders is undoubtedly one of the film’s most entertaining elements. One standout scene sees Daniel retelling the story of The Lord of the Rings, cleverly reworked to suit his job, while Isla and Sandy sit utterly captivated. It reminded me of discovering that magical franchise for the first time and stands as an outstanding addition to the film.

While there are some predictable beats, particularly within the third act’s dramatic turns, they don’t detract from the overall enjoyment of the story as it unfolds. The increasingly unhinged final act is a particular highlight, with council leader Roz (Michelle Gomez) bearing a startling resemblance to Kristi Noem, which, given the nature of the material, feels strangely apt.

The Incomer is thoroughly well acted throughout. As expected, Domhnall Gleeson delivers a stellar performance, once again showcasing his impeccable comedic timing. His on-screen chemistry with Gayle Rankin is infectious, with their back-and-forth banter proving a real highlight. The same can be said for Grant O’Rourke, who plays Sandy with a childlike innocence so convincingly that he may well be the funniest character in the entire film and with the undoubted talent that’s on display, that’s no easy feat.

Despite a slight decline towards the end, The Incomer remains a compelling and hugely enjoyable experience, packed with some of the best comedy you’re likely to see all year. It’s a deeply heartwarming story about genuine human connections, with a sprinkle of magic thrown in for good measure, and one that I’m sure most people will have a great time with. Even if the film ultimately heads in a direction you might expect, the journey there is more than worth taking.