Review published 24th June 2026
Watch the official trailer.
A Scottish Distillery and a Long Separated Brother Reunion
Sandy (Brian Cox) lives in Scotland and is the proud owner and manager of the town’s distillery, handed down to him by his father. Thanks to the distillery, the town is well known for its incredible whisky and many in the community have been provided with long term employment. When Sandy receives concerning health updates, he decides to try and make amends with his younger brother, Donal (Alan Cumming), who currently lives in New York and is the proud owner of a jazz bar.
A Return to Scotland and the Weight of the Past
It’s been almost forty years since Donal last spoke to his brother, but as fate would have it, he has a change of heart when his jazz club mysteriously burns to the ground. Persuaded by a compelling letter from Sandy, Donal boards a plane to see his brother, potentially for the last time. As Donal arrives in Scotland, it soon becomes evident that he carries a tragic past and endured a challenging upbringing, particularly in his relationship with his father. While Donal attempts to remain open minded about Sandy’s invitation, the past continues to haunt him. Meanwhile, Sandy’s health leaves the future of the distillery, and the many people who work there, uncertain. Will Donal confront his demons once and for all and make amends with the brother who is seeking peace, or will he continue to harbour an unforgiving heart and run away once again?
Glenrothan A heartfelt dramatic story and Brian Cox directorial debut
Glenrothan is a dramatic, heartfelt and emotional story with minor moments of playful comedy. The film was directed by Brian Cox, who also stars as one of the film’s main leads. It should be noted that Glenrothan serves as Cox’s directorial debut, with the acclaimed actor additionally serving as one of the film’s producers.
Strong Performances and Stunning Scottish Visuals
It should come as no surprise that the leading performances from Brian Cox, Alan Cumming, and Shirley Henderson (playing the character of Jess) are easily the film’s greatest strength. Their performances are not only compelling, but they also bring a warm and likeable presence to the screen. Visually, the stunning Scottish scenery takes centre stage throughout the film and proves to be a genuine highlight. Cox also demonstrates a confident visual style behind the camera, making for an impressive directorial debut.
Uneven Storytelling and Disjointed Pacing
The film’s story and pacing are one element that I found more disappointing and, at times, somewhat odd. The storyline itself feels quite familiar. A man returning home to confront the demons of his past is hardly a fresh concept on the big screen; however, the pacing proves problematic. Many of the scenes fail to flow from one to the next naturally, with characters moving from one moment to the next in a manner that often feels disjointed. Because of this, I also noticed several moments that affected the film’s continuity, resulting in scenes that felt not only questionable but also became distracting.
Glenrothan A Safe but Enjoyable Directorial Debut
Overall, Glenrothan serves as a directorial debut from Brian Cox, and the results are enjoyable. If you are seeking a light-hearted feature, this will certainly please you. The locations and setting of Scotland are certainly pleasing to the eye, and leading performances from Brian Cox, Alan Cumming and Shirley Henderson are the film’s major praise point. All three actors achieve a likeable presence with many moments that feel either compelling or touching. However, a storyline in which a man is forced to return home and face his family demons is nothing overly new, and it feels insanely safe. The same could be said about the film’s themes of forgiveness and tragic family history. Yet, the story’s biggest problem is not its familiarity, but its pace, which is extremely rough, clunky and filled with many gaps.
Glenrothan (2025) is Now Available in Australian Cinemas thanks to Rialto Distribution!
About the Reviewer
Peter Walkden
Film writer and curator with a deep passion for cinema, genre filmmaking, and physical media. Exploring new releases, cult favourites, and overlooked films, with a strong focus on atmosphere, storytelling, and the theatrical experience.
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