Wicker: A fable of wicker men and village gossip
The film stars Olivia Colman and Peter Dinklage in a comedy about a spinster who commissions a magical husband to defy local tradition.
By Ivan Dvorak ·
Moviegoers currently have access to a new theatrical release titled Wicker, which functions as an adult fable exploring themes of marriage and social norms. The production is based on the short story by Ursula Wills and presents a narrative that balances humor with romantic elements. It is currently screening in theaters for a general audience.
The plot centers on a Fisherwoman played by Olivia Colman who lives in a small community where residents frequently mock her for being a spinster and for her personal scent. At a local wedding, the Fisherwoman is selected to participate in a ritual similar to catching a bridal bouquet, which marks her as the next person expected to marry. When the villagers ridicule her choice, she decides to take control of her romantic future.
Colman’s character visits the local Basket Weaver, played by Peter Dinklage, with a stack of cash to request a specific creation. The Weaver agrees to craft a husband out of wicker. The resulting character, the Wicker Husband, is portrayed by Alexander Skarsgård. The film includes magical elements that are not fully explained, though the narrative proceeds without requiring clarification on the mechanics of this magic.
The Wicker Husband is depicted as a physically attractive man with a rugged appearance reminiscent of Robert Redford in the film Jeremiah Johnson. He serves as a supportive partner who repairs the Fisherwoman’s cabin, maintains a roof, and tends to a garden. His demeanor contrasts sharply with the men of the village, who are generally portrayed as critical of the couple. The marriage is consummated quickly, leading to a scene where the bed breaks repeatedly due to the intensity of their activities.
The arrival of the perfect husband causes friction within the community. Elizabeth Debicki plays the Tailor’s Wife, a character who becomes jealous of the Fisherwoman’s relationship. Her dissatisfaction with her own marriage drives her to stir up conflict among the residents. The story expands to include other magical wicker beings, leading to a conclusion described as a folk-horror finale.
Production details emphasize the use of practical effects by Wētā Workshop. The suit for the Wicker Husband consists of 50 interlocking pieces. The hair and beard are constructed from muka, a fiber derived from New Zealand flax. The application process for the makeup takes approximately an hour and a half, a task handled by Joe Dunckley and Sarah Rubano from Wētā Workshop.
The film is noted for its comedic tone and lack of musical numbers. Despite the setting and character dynamics suggesting a potential musical format, the actors do not perform songs. The review rates the production at 3.5 stars, citing the performances of Colman, Skarsgård, and Debicki as strong points of the film.
