Olivia Colman and Alexander Skarsgård lead a cast in the darkly humorous fantasy film *Wicker*, directed by Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson. The film, which premiered recently, is adapted from Ursula Wells’ 2008 satirical short story *The Wicker Husband* and is set in a medieval village where an unusual marriage stirs tension within the community.
The story follows a lonely Fisherwoman, portrayed by Colman, who commissions the village Basket Weaver, played by Peter Dinklage, to create a husband out of woven wicker. The Wicker Husband, embodied by Skarsgård, is an awkward yet devoted figure who initially wins acclaim through his diligent efforts around the village home—repairing the roof, fixing broken furniture, and revitalizing the Fisherwoman’s solitary life.
Despite the Wicker Husband’s apparent perfection, their union provokes jealousy and conflict among the villagers. The Tailor’s Wife (Elizabeth Debicki) resents the attention her husband (Nabhan Rizwan) pays elsewhere, while discord also grows between the Baker (Ben Ashenden) and his wife (Ella Bruccoleri). These tensions culminate in a pivotal moment at the local tavern, where the Baker proposes a provocative deal to the Wicker Husband, setting off consequences that threaten the couple’s fragile happiness.
The film balances moments of levity with underlying themes about love, desire, and human nature, evoking myths like Pygmalion and narratives such as *Pinocchio*. Fischer and Wilson’s screenplay blends wit and darkness, while their direction maintains an engaging pace that effectively supports the film’s blend of fantasy and satire.
Colman delivers a performance marked by a blend of resilience and vulnerability, anchoring the film’s emotional core. Skarsgård complements her with a portrayal of the Wicker Husband that is both steadfast and subtly evolving, enhanced by notable prosthetic and costume design that shapes the character’s distinctive appearance. Dinklage’s role as the Basket Weaver is comparatively limited but becomes crucial as the story reaches its climax.
The film features additional performances from Richard E. Grant as the village’s inept doctor, though his screen time is minimal relative to the impact the character has on the narrative. Despite some underutilized talent, *Wicker* emerges as a well-crafted and imaginative tale with strong performances and a darkly comedic tone that showcases Fischer and Wilson’s creative vision.
*Wicker* offers a fresh take on timeless themes by weaving together fantastical elements and human folly, making it a film that both entertains and provokes reflection on the nature of love and community.