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In near-future Tokyo, the threat of a catastrophic quake looms. Two friends prank their principal before graduation, leading to school surveillance installation.
Neo Sora (Ryuichi Sakamoto: Opus)
DIRECTOR
SESSIONS
ACTORS
Hayato Kurihara • Yukito Hidaka • Yuta Hayashi • Shina Peng • Masaru Yahagi
Coming Soon
1h 53m • Rated M for mature themes and tension • Drama, Science Fiction, Coming-of-Age • Japan / USA • Language: Japanese with subtitles
The island setting, the modest production, and the humor that often arises from character rather than contrivance work together to keep the film from ever feeling flat. On the flip side, a few feel the pacing is uneven, or that the secondary characters don’t always land. Still, even these criticisms tend to be soft and in the service of a film that is more heartwarming than perfect.
Overall, the consensus sees The Ballad of Wallis Island as a warm, wistful, and soul-soothing film—modest in scope but rich in feeling. It’s not trying to dazzle, but it digs in where it matters: loss, memory, music, human connection. For many, it’s one of the more emotionally satisfying films of 2025.
The Ballad of Wallis Island is a quietly charming British comedy-drama directed by James Griffiths, written by and starring Tom Basden and Tim Key, alongside Carey Mulligan. The story centers on Charles, a lonely lottery winner living on a remote Welsh island, who invites his favorite folk duo—Herb McGwyer and Nell Mortimer—to reunite for a private performance. His motive isn’t just fandom; there are unresolved heartbreaks, nostalgia, and grief behind his idealistic gesture.
Critics are largely enamored with the film’s balance of humor and melancholy. Tim Key’s performance as Charles is praised for being endearingly awkward, verbose, and heart-on-sleeve, often using verbal wit to stave off silence. Basden as Herb, and Mulligan as Nell, deliver subtle, emotionally resonant performances, especially when the old romantic and artistic tensions surface—and you begin to feel what’s been lost, as well as what hope might remain. The original music is another highlight; the songs feel lived in, and the film uses them not as spectacle, but as emotional anchors.
Some reviewers point out that the premise is familiar—a fan’s devotee, reunited artists, romantic regrets—but argue that the execution elevates it.
CRITICS ROUNDUP
The film's cinematography, helmed by Bill Kirstein, has been widely praised for its ability to capture the stark beauty of urban landscapes and the sterile confines of the school environment. The Hollywood Reporter highlights Kirstein's work as "finding poetry in the stark urban landscapes," while Screen Daily describes it as "a crisp and understated piece"
Lia Ouyang Rusli's score complements the visuals, providing a haunting backdrop that underscores the film's themes of isolation and resistance. RogerEbert.com notes that the score "comes in potent sonic waves," enhancing the film's emotional depth.
The performances of the young cast have also been commended. The Hollywood Reporter describes them as "naturals," bringing authenticity to their roles. Screen Daily observes that the ensemble's "organic energy" adds to the film's realism, despite some critiques of their "pop star looks".
Critics have noted the film's exploration of generational and national anxieties. Slate's Marshall Shaffer acknowledges the film as a "confident narrative feature debut" but suggests that it "never quite satisfies as a microcosmic analysis of Japan" due to its limited depiction of the world outside the school.
In summary, Happyend stands out as a visually arresting and thematically rich film that delves into the complexities of youth, identity, and societal control. Its blend of dystopian elements with personal narratives offers a compelling reflection on contemporary issues.
CRITICS ROUNDUP
Sharp, unsettling, and darkly brilliant.
Neo Sora’s debut feature, Happyend, emerges as a contemplative exploration of adolescence, rebellion, and the encroaching surveillance state. Set in a near-future Japanese high school, the film follows a group of students whose lives are disrupted after a prank leads to the installation of a pervasive monitoring system. Critics have lauded the film for its atmospheric tension, nuanced performances, and poignant social commentary.