A lonely fisherwoman orders a husband made of wicker, and he turns out to be Alexander Skarsgård. That’s the pitch behind Wicker, the romantic fantasy-comedy that was one of the most talked-about premieres at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival. Ten months later, it’s in theaters, the reviews are in, and the verdict is clear. Critics like this odd little fable a lot.
Here’s what the movie is about, who’s in it, how it’s been received, and where you can see it right now.
What is Wicker about?
Wicker is based on “The Wicker Husband,” a short story by Ursula Wills-Jones. Directors Eleanor Wilson and Alex Huston Fischer wrote the screenplay together, and this is their second feature as a team.
The story is set in a made-up medieval village. Olivia Colman plays a fisherwoman the locals have pushed to the edges of their community. Tired of being alone, she asks the village basketmaker (Peter Dinklage) to weave her a husband. He does, and the wicker man (Skarsgård) comes to life. Their romance stirs up envy among the neighbors and starts to shake the village’s sense of order.
The official synopsis calls it a comedic fable about sex, marriage and social convention. That’s a fair summary. This is a fairy tale for grown-ups, with bawdy jokes and a real interest in what people expect from a partner.
The cast
Colman leads the film and also serves as one of its producers. Skarsgård plays the title role under creature effects that turn him into a man built from woven reeds. Dinklage is the basketmaker who makes the whole thing possible.
The supporting cast is stacked with familiar faces:
- Elizabeth Debicki as the Tailor’s Wife
- Nabhaan Rizwan as the Tailor
- Marli Siu as the Tailor’s Wife’s Sister
- Richard E. Grant as the Doctor
- Phil Daniels as the Butcher
- Kiell Smith-Bynoe as the Innkeeper
South Asian viewers may know Rizwan from the BBC thriller Informer. Here he plays the Tailor opposite Debicki’s Tailor’s Wife, one of the village households in the film’s ensemble.
A standing ovation at Sundance
Wicker world-premiered on January 24, 2026, at the sold-out Eccles Theatre in Park City, Utah. According to TheWrap, the crowd gave it two standing ovations: one when the credits rolled and another when the cast and filmmakers came on stage.
Colman joked to TheWrap about her co-star’s makeover: “You would not believe you could make Alexander Skarsgard hotter than he is, but yeah. People are gonna have weird dreams.”
Speaking to Sundance, Fischer explained what drew the pair to the story’s central idea. “When you’re in a relationship, you’re so exposed,” he said. Wilson added that they “tried not to treat them with any judgment,” referring to the villagers.
Black Bear picked up North American rights after the festival. The company also handles international sales and released the film in the UK.
What critics are saying
The reviews have been strong. On Rotten Tomatoes, Wicker holds a 94% Tomatometer score from 196 critics, along with a 92% Popcornmeter score from verified audiences. The site’s critics consensus calls it a “charming fable that strikes the right balance between naughty and nice,” and singles out the salty humor, the creature effects and Colman’s performance.
Not everyone was won over. TheWrap’s review headline called the film “well-intentioned but wooden.” But that view is in the minority. Most critics landed on the side of AwardsWatch, which graded it a B+ and described it as a fun, bawdy fable.
Our verdict: Based on the critical response, Wicker is worth seeking out if you like your romance strange, funny and a little rude. Colman is reliably great, the Skarsgård casting is a gag that keeps paying off, and the film has more on its mind than its premise suggests. If you prefer your love stories grounded, this one may not be for you.
Release date and where to watch Wicker
Wicker opened in U.S. theaters on October 23, 2026. It debuted in fifth place at the domestic box office with an estimated $5.75 million from 1,471 theaters. The UK release followed on October 30, and Australia got it on November 5 through Roadshow Films.
As of now, the film is only playing in theaters. It isn’t available to stream, rent or buy online yet, and Black Bear hasn’t announced a digital release date. Keep an eye on our TV and OTT coverage for updates when it lands on digital platforms.
The film is rated R for sexual content, language and brief full nudity, so plan accordingly before bringing the family.
Quick facts
- Directors: Eleanor Wilson and Alex Huston Fischer
- Based on: “The Wicker Husband” by Ursula Wills-Jones
- Stars: Olivia Colman, Alexander Skarsgård, Peter Dinklage, Elizabeth Debicki
- Premiere: Sundance Film Festival, January 24, 2026
- Distributor: Black Bear (North America and UK)
- U.S. release: October 23, 2026, in theaters
- Runtime: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Rating: R
For more movie news and reviews, visit our Hollywood section.
About the author
Daya Nanoskar is an Entertainment Writer at Awesome TV and a contributor to AWSM Times. Daya covers film news, streaming releases, celebrity updates and industry news across Hollywood and Bollywood, and has written more than 2,300 stories for Awesome TV. Story tips and corrections: hello@awesometv.com.
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