Many movie romances focus on unlikely couples, but Wicker takes that idea to another level. A lonely Fisherwoman (Olivia Colman), tired of being mocked by the people in her village, commissions the local Basket Weaver (Peter Dinklage) to make her a wicker husband. Somehow, that isn’t even close to the strangest thing that happens in this movie.
Directed by Alex Huston Fischer (Save Yourselves!) and Eleanor Wilson (Everything All at Once), the feature mixes romantic fantasy, historical fable and dark comedy into something delightfully eccentric. The filmmakers know their central idea is unconventional and have plenty of fun with it, but they never let it become one big joke. It’s weird, often filthy and unexpectedly sweet, with a witty script that finds humor in the characters’ reactions to the absurdity around them.
An Unlikely Romance Turns Heads
Colman (Elsinore) plays the Fisherwoman, an outsider living beyond a village where women are largely defined by the men they marry. She’s fiery and headstrong when confronted by those who ridicule her, but Colman also brings vulnerability to the quieter moments when her tough exterior begins to crack. There’s an obvious loneliness beneath her anger, making her decision to have the perfect husband made for her surprisingly easy to understand.
Then Alexander Skarsgård (Pillion) turns up as her newlywed wicker husband, and things get even stranger. Finding humanity in a character made entirely out of wicker is no easy task, but Skarsgård somehow pulls it off. His performance is full of charm, wit and an endearing innocence that makes the Wicker Husband strangely lovable rather than a walking punchline. The intricate character design helps, but it’s Skarsgård’s interactions with Colman that make him feel alive.
Before long, watching the Fisherwoman fall for a giant wicker man starts to feel completely normal. Colman and Skarsgård have wonderful chemistry, giving this unlikely relationship enough sincerity to make its emotional moments work. The Wicker Husband’s devotion to his new wife contrasts with the unhappy marriages around them, giving the story unexpected emotional weight. There’s something amusing about a man made from wicker turning out to be more considerate than most of the actual men in the village.
Of course, not everyone is pleased about the newfound romance. Elizabeth Debicki’s Tailor’s Wife is particularly unhappy, and the The Burnt Orange Heresy actress portrays her growing jealousy wonderfully. Although the character lacks the depth of the leads, she makes her resentment entertaining as the unconventional marriage challenges the village’s expectations.
A Village Full of Peculiar Characters
Much of the movie’s comedy works because Fischer and Wilson never feel the need to explain the joke. The village is full of odd customs, blunt conversations and people who barely seem fazed by what’s happening. Even the most ridiculous situations feel perfectly normal. Richard E. Grant (100 Nights of Hero) also makes the most of his brief appearance as the local Doctor, whose birthday celebrations are interrupted by yet another village problem. His exasperated reactions provide some particularly enjoyable laughs.
Dinklage’s (Cyrano) Basket Weaver is another comedic highlight, although his best moments come much later in the feature. For most of the film, he remains on the sidelines, appearing whenever the village needs his services. As the story approaches its final act, however, he becomes increasingly involved, bringing warmth and playfulness to a character who initially seems destined for a small supporting role. Dinklage’s comic timing gives the story a welcome boost just as it begins to lose momentum.
The village itself is just as memorable as its inhabitants. Lol Crawley’s (The Brutalist) cinematography captures warm landscapes and earthy interiors, while the detailed costumes and sets make the setting feel like an old fairy tale. Open compositions make this peculiar world seem inviting, creating an amusing contrast with the far less welcoming people who live there.
A Few Loose Strands, But a Wonderful Result
Not everything works quite as well. Some of the darker jokes and oddities return too often, losing their impact once it becomes obvious where they’re going. The repetition takes some of the fun out of an otherwise inventive comedy.
Despite these shortcomings, Wicker has plenty going for it. Its inventive storytelling, beautiful visuals and excellent cast make even the strangest developments enjoyable, while the humor rarely comes at the expense of the characters. The directors have created a film that’s witty, warm and unapologetically weird, with a surprisingly touching romance at its heart.
Wicker is part of the BFI London Film Festival 2026. It will be released in select theaters on October 23, 2026, courtesy of Black Bear.
Directors: Alex Huston Fischer, Eleanor Wilson
Writers: Alex Huston Fischer, Eleanor Wilson
Rated: R
Runtime: 105m
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Despite these shortcomings, Wicker has plenty going for it. Its inventive storytelling, beautiful visuals and excellent cast make even the strangest developments enjoyable, while the humor rarely comes at the expense of the characters.
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GVN Rating
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