“Wicker,” a new feature set in a vaguely medieval village, explores themes of desire, gender roles, and societal expectations through a darkly comic and satirical lens. The film, directed by the married duo Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson, adapts Ursula Wills’s short story “The Wicker Husband,” weaving a narrative that blends fantasy, romance, and bawdy humor.
The story centers on the Fisherwoman, played by Olivia Colman, an independent and ostracized figure in a patriarchal village where inhabitants are named after their professions. When a local matchmaking game designates her as the next bride, she commissions the Basketmaker—portrayed by Peter Dinklage—to craft a husband from willow branches. This creation, embodied by Alexander Skarsgard through an elaborate full-body prosthesis by New Zealand's Weta Workshop, becomes the film’s focal point. Skarsgard’s character exudes a curious mix of charm and vulnerability, despite his unconventional, flammable composition.
As the wicker husband integrates into village life, tensions arise. The local women grow envious and intrigued by his allure and homemaking skills, while the men respond with jealousy and resentment. The story addresses the village’s rigid gender dynamics and satirizes the expectations placed on marriage and sexuality. Notably, the film incorporates sharp social commentary, illustrating the constraints and power struggles that define its fictional community.
The film’s tone balances raunchy humor with moments of genuine emotional depth, largely anchored by Colman’s portrayal of the Fisherwoman. Her character is presented as both resilient and emotionally guarded, grappling with feelings of unworthiness amid her pursuit of love. Supporting roles include Elizabeth Debicki as a manipulative village queen and Richard E. Grant as the well-meaning but ineffectual village doctor, both adding layers to the film’s intricate social tapestry.
Shot in Budapest, with cinematography by Lol Crawley, “Wicker” offers rich, tactile visuals that complement its blend of grotesque fantasy and human drama. The practical effects, especially the design of the wicker husband, are highlighted for their creativity and craftsmanship.
Ultimately, “Wicker” delivers a distinctive narrative that challenges social norms through its blend of comedy, fantasy, and romance. It underscores the disruptive power of desire and the courage required for a woman to openly seek fulfillment in a repressive environment.