Wicker
October 21st, 2026
MOVIE: WICKER
STARRING: OLIVIA COLMAN, ALEXANDER SKARSGÅRD, ELIZABETH DEBICKI, PETER DINKLAGE, RICHARD E. GRANT
DIRECTED BY: ALEX HUSTON FISCHER, ELEANOR WILSON
AMovieGuy.com’s RATING: 3 ½ STARS (Out of 4)
RATED: R
RUN TIME: 105 MINUTES
With both Wicker and Wildwood hitting theaters this past weekend, it’s safe to say that a new brand of fairy tale has found its way back to the big screen. If it’s a competition, I’d argue that Wicker is the more unique production, telling a story that is romantic, creative, delightfully weird, and bitterly bleak. This is an unconventional romance that explores what it means to be human, from loneliness to love, and it all comes to life through a man made entirely of wicker.
The story takes place in a small provincial town, where everyone seems to have a place and a purpose: the baker, the farmer, the basket weaver, and the Fisherwoman (Olivia Colman). As she saunters through town, people comment on her smell and appearance, while others barely acknowledge her existence. The townsfolk seem to disregard anyone without a husband or child. One cozy evening, the Basketmaker (Peter Dinklage) notices her sadness and, through his magical craftsmanship, creates a Wicker Husband (Alexander Skarsgård) devoted to fulfilling the Fisherwoman’s wants, needs, and sexual desires.
Written and directed by Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson, based on Ursula Wills’ fable The Wicker Husband, the film does a spectacular job of setting the stage. This is a small town with a drunken doctor (Richard E. Grant) and its fair share of gossiping women, including the Tailor’s Wife (Elizabeth Debicki) and the Bakerwoman (Ella Bruccoleri), who can’t seem to keep themselves from talking about everyone else. The setting feels as though it has been ripped straight from the pages of a fairy tale. Goats, chickens, and pigs roam freely, while houses sport roofs made of mud and twigs. When this mysterious man made of wicker arrives in town, he becomes the only thing keeping the townsfolk entertained.
At first, the premise might seem odd, but Wicker truly comes to life through both the makeup and craftsmanship behind Skarsgård’s character and the beautiful connection between two unexpected lovers. The makeup work is Oscar-worthy, making him look convincingly wooden while his body creaks and his wicker exterior rustles with every movement. As for the romance, the Wicker Husband is created to love his wife unconditionally, yet what blossoms between them feels like genuine love rather than something rooted in superficial attributes. Meanwhile, many of the other townspeople grow jealous of their relationship, raising the question of whether their love can withstand the ugliness of those around them.
It’s this unexpected love, reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast, combined with a modern willingness to explore sexual desire and the human need for connection, that makes Wicker such a delightful romantic fairy tale. The film explores the wants and needs of a woman in middle age while encouraging women to embrace the idea that they deserve it all. And why shouldn’t they? Wicker weaves a wonderful tale of love between a man made of wicker and a woman learning to embrace her own worth. Stories like this are rare in 2026, especially ones that are willing to be this strange, heartfelt, and unapologetically romantic. Sometimes, all it takes is a little imagination to make our dreams come true. And if you can make a husband out of wicker along the way, even better.
3 ½ STARS
WICKER IS CURRENTLY PLAYING IN THEATERS EVERYWHERE FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30TH, 2026.
Written by: Leo Brady
