‘Wicker’ New Look Showcases Olivia Colman and Alexander Skarsgård’s Unique Romance Ahead of October Release

Hollywood has a long history of unconventional love stories, but few have generated as much buzz this year as one centered around furniture. The premise may sound bizarre: a woman commissions a husband made from woven reeds, yet critics are calling it one of the most charming surprises of the year.

This intriguing film, titled ‘Wicker,’ is directed by Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson, the duo behind 2020’s “Save Yourselves!” They adapted the story from Ursula Wills-Jones’ acclaimed short tale “The Wicker Husband.” After a strong premiere at Sundance in January, the film has gained momentum as it approaches its wide theatrical release.

Entertainment Weekly has unveiled new first-look images of stars Olivia Colman and Alexander Skarsgård as part of its Fall Movie Preview. The photos depict the film’s central couple, with Skarsgård’s wicker husband towering over Colman’s character in a candlelit setting, providing audiences with a clearer glimpse of this peculiar romance.

The narrative follows an ostracized fisherwoman, portrayed by Colman, who lives on the outskirts of a seaside village and faces ridicule from her narrow-minded neighbors due to her unkempt appearance and lack of a husband. Tired of the mockery, she commissions the village basketmaker, played by Peter Dinklage, to create the perfect husband made entirely of wicker, igniting jealousy and social upheaval when her new spouse proves to be more remarkable than anyone anticipated.

Skarsgård took over the role from Dev Patel, who was initially attached when the film was first announced in 2023. Skarsgård brings his own unique physicality to the fully practical wicker suit designed by Wētā Workshop. This role continues Skarsgård’s trend of choosing unconventional romantic characters, following his appearance in A24’s BDSM comedy ‘Pillion’ earlier this year.

Colman has expressed her enthusiasm for the project’s unusual premise. She stated, “I just really loved the script,” according to Deadline, noting that it ranks among her favorite scripts she has ever read.

The supporting cast includes Elizabeth Debicki, Richard E. Grant, Marli Siu, and Nabhaan Rizwan, contributing to a notably impressive ensemble for what remains a small-scale fable about village life and social conformity. Cinematographer Lol Crawley, an Oscar winner for his work on ‘The Brutalist,’ shot the film, adding a visual polish that critics have praised alongside the performances.

Early reviews from Sundance have been overwhelmingly positive, with critics noting the film’s success in making Skarsgård’s wicker husband feel both strange and genuinely sympathetic, a challenging balance to achieve. The film has also drawn comparisons to viral internet humor, with several outlets highlighting the premise’s resemblance to jokes circulating on social media in recent years.

‘Wicker’ is produced by Topic Studios and Tango Entertainment, with distribution by Black Bear Pictures following its Sundance premiere. The film is set to release in the United States on October 23, followed by a UK release on October 30, allowing audiences on both sides of the Atlantic to experience its theatrical run this fall.

With its mix of festival buzz, a talented ensemble cast, and a premise quirky enough to spark internet discussions, ‘Wicker’ is poised to become one of the more talked-about curiosities of the awards season. Whether this unconventional love story will achieve broader mainstream success remains to be seen as it reaches wider audiences.

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