The 2026 Scottish fantasy-comedy The Incomer is now available to stream in the UK, just a month after its cinema release, and has been praised by viewers as “a breath of fresh air.” The film, directed by award-winning Scots filmmaker Louis Paxton in his feature directorial debut, premiered internationally at the Edinburgh International Film Festival in August.
Plot and Setting
Set on a fictional island in Orkney, the movie was shot across the Scottish Highlands, primarily in Caithness and Sutherland. It tells the story of feral siblings Isla and Sandy, who have lived completely alone on the island for thirty years after their parents disappeared. They hunt birds, talk to mythical beings, and fight off outsiders who try to enter their land.
Their world changes when Daniel, a socially awkward council official, arrives to evict them after the island is declared uninhabitable. Raised on strict rules left by their father, Isla and Sandy greet Daniel with hostility and confusion. Daniel introduces them to modern mainland essentials like groceries and the internet, while the siblings, who believe they are descended from gulls, share their ancestral folklore with him. As the three spend time together, the story becomes a warm, offbeat found-family comedy.
Cast and Reception
The cast includes Scots actress Gayle Rankin as Isla, known for House of the Dragon and The Greatest Showman, and Outlander actor Grant O’Rourke as Sandy. Irish star Domhnall Gleeson, famous for his role as Bill Weasley in the Harry Potter franchise, plays Daniel. Supporting roles include Michelle Gomez as Daniel’s boss Rose and Edinburgh-born Emun Elliott as Calum.
The Incomer has received an impressive 95 per cent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. One critic called it “an eccentric Scottish comedy for people looking for something weird, irreverent, and a bit different.” A film fan wrote: “Funny and heartwarming. Easily one of my favourite films of the year,” while another said: “Well, that just took my breath away. Unexpectedly.”
Where to Watch
The Incomer is available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video and can also be streamed on Sky Store.
