Wicker Movie Review: A Strange Yet Charming Fantasy Led by Colman and Skarsgård

Wicker is a fantasy romantic comedy directed by Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson, starring Olivia Colman, Alexander Skarsgård, Peter Dinklage and Elizabeth Debicki. Released in theatres on October 30, 2026, the film follows a lonely fisherwoman who asks a mysterious basketmaker to create a husband for her from wicker.

Based on Ursula Wills’ short story ‘The Wicker Husband’, the film blends unusual romance, dark humour and social satire to explore love, desire and the cruelty of traditional expectations. Its imaginative premise, engaging performances and whimsical presentation make it a refreshing experience, although the restrained emotional storytelling prevents it from reaching its full dramatic potential.

Wicker Movie Details

Wicker Story Overview

The story takes place in a small medieval village where marriage, social status and traditional gender roles determine how people are treated. A lonely Fisherwoman (Olivia Colman) lives on the outskirts of the community, earning her living by selling fish. Her appearance, unpleasant smell and independent personality make her a constant target of ridicule.

The villagers regularly mock her for being unmarried, leaving her isolated despite her determination to live on her own terms. Tired of the humiliation, she approaches a mysterious Basketmaker (Peter Dinklage) and asks him to create a husband from wicker. Surprisingly, he agrees and produces a living companion (Alexander Skarsgård) who is affectionate, respectful and devoted to her happiness.

The couple's unusual relationship soon attracts attention. While the Fisherwoman experiences love and companionship for the first time, the villagers become increasingly jealous of her happiness. The rest of the story explores how their unconventional marriage challenges the village's social traditions and exposes the insecurities hidden within seemingly ordinary relationships.

Wicker Review: A Delightfully Strange Romantic Fantasy

The film's greatest strength is its unusual premise. A woman commissioning a husband made entirely from wicker could easily have become an exaggerated comedy, but the directors approach the idea with sincerity and playful imagination. The medieval setting allows the story to explore restrictive social expectations without becoming overly realistic.

The villagers accept the existence of a magical wicker man surprisingly easily, making their objections to his loving relationship even more amusing. The film maintains a lighthearted atmosphere while examining serious themes such as loneliness, desire and social prejudice.

However, its relaxed storytelling occasionally limits the emotional intensity. Some dramatic developments could have benefited from greater tension and more detailed exploration. Nevertheless, the film's originality and gentle humour make it consistently engaging.

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Olivia Colman and Alexander Skarsgård's Performances

Olivia Colman delivers an excellent performance as the Fisherwoman. She portrays a woman who has become accustomed to rejection but refuses to surrender her independence. Her comic timing makes the character's sarcastic responses entertaining, while her expressions reveal the vulnerability beneath her tough exterior.

Alexander Skarsgård is equally impressive as the Wicker Husband. Despite his unusual physical appearance, he brings warmth, tenderness and emotional sincerity to the character. Their chemistry forms the emotional centre of the film. The contrast between Colman's outspoken personality and Skarsgård's gentle behaviour creates several charming moments.

Peter Dinklage brings understated humour to the Basketmaker, while Elizabeth Debicki makes a strong impression as the jealous Tailor's Wife. Richard E. Grant, Nabhaan Rizwan and the remaining supporting actors contribute to the village's eccentric atmosphere.

Story and Screenplay

The screenplay uses its fantasy premise to question the social rules surrounding marriage and relationships. In the village, women are largely identified through their husbands' occupations rather than their own identities. Marriage ceremonies even involve placing metal collars around brides' necks, symbolising the restrictions imposed on them. The Fisherwoman challenges these expectations simply by living independently and choosing an unconventional partner.

Her husband's kindness also exposes the shortcomings of the village's existing marriages. His willingness to respect and support his wife becomes more threatening to the community than his supernatural existence. Although the social commentary is effective, some conflicts are presented rather simply. The film occasionally avoids exploring the more complicated implications of its central relationship.

Romance, Desire and Emotional Impact

The romance between the Fisherwoman and her wicker husband gives the film its most touching moments. Their relationship develops through affection, physical intimacy and everyday acts of kindness. The Wicker Husband treats his partner with a level of consideration that contrasts sharply with the behaviour of the village's other men.

The couple's happiness gradually becomes a source of resentment, particularly among women dissatisfied with their own marriages. However, the story also raises questions about trust, insecurity and whether genuine love can exist without complete freedom of choice. These ideas add emotional complexity, although the film sometimes resolves its conflicts too conveniently.

Social Satire and Dark Humour

The film uses humour to expose the hypocrisy of a community obsessed with appearances and traditional behaviour. The villagers consider the Fisherwoman undesirable because she does not meet their expectations of beauty or femininity. Yet when she finds happiness, their disapproval quickly transforms into jealousy. Elizabeth Debicki's Tailor's Wife becomes an important figure in this conflict. Despite enjoying greater social acceptance, she struggles with her own dissatisfaction and resentment.

The humour emerges naturally from these contradictions. The villagers' exaggerated reactions to the Wicker Husband create entertaining situations while highlighting the unfair expectations placed on women. The satire is not particularly subtle, but its playful presentation prevents the film from becoming excessively preachy.

Cinematography, Music and Technical Aspects

Lol Crawley's cinematography gives the film a distinctive visual identity. The narrow aspect ratio, carefully designed village setting and naturalistic lighting create the atmosphere of an illustrated medieval fairy tale. The costumes and production design contribute to the film's unusual world, balancing historical influences with deliberately theatrical details.

Anna Meredith's music shifts between playful, mysterious and reflective moods, complementing the film's changing emotional tone. The Wicker Husband's physical appearance is another technical achievement. The prosthetic makeup and costume design make Alexander Skarsgård's character believable without losing the strange charm of a man constructed from woven material. These elements give the film a memorable visual personality, even when the storytelling becomes overly restrained.

What Are the Weak Points?

• Restrained emotional intensity
• Simplistic social commentary
• Convenient dramatic resolutions
• Limited romantic tension

Is Wicker Worth Watching?

Watch it if you:

• Enjoy unusual romantic fantasy films.
• Appreciate Olivia Colman and Alexander Skarsgård's performances.
• Like dark humour and imaginative fairy tales.
• Prefer character-driven stories exploring love and social expectations.

Skip it if you:

• Expect a conventional romantic comedy.
• Prefer realistic relationship dramas.
• Dislike unusual fantasy concepts.
• Want intense emotional confrontations.

Final Verdict

‘Wicker’ is a charming and imaginative romantic fantasy that transforms an unusual premise into an entertaining exploration of love, loneliness and social hypocrisy. Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson create a distinctive world where a husband made from wicker becomes more emotionally understanding than the ordinary people surrounding him.

Olivia Colman and Alexander Skarsgård deliver wonderful performances, making their unconventional relationship surprisingly convincing. Peter Dinklage and Elizabeth Debicki add humour and personality, while the cinematography, music and production design strengthen the film's fairy-tale atmosphere.

Although the screenplay occasionally avoids deeper emotional conflict and resolves certain developments too easily, its originality and warmth make it a rewarding experience. Wicker’ is an entertaining choice for viewers looking for a romantic film that combines fantasy, humour and meaningful observations about relationships.

Rating: 3.5/5

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