As the trend of adapting short stories, 18th-century novels, and period romance drama continues, Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson debut their fable-like feature, Wicker, finding perfect balance in modernity and fantasy. Based on the 2008 short story “The Wicker Husband” by Ursula Wills-Jones, Wicker feels like a legend passed down through generations, yet it still feels extremely timely. Add a healthy sprinkling of absolutely absurd horniness, and this basket-weaving tale is nothing less than an absolute delight.
“An ugly girl commissions a basket weaver to make her a husband,” the premise screams fable – full of fantasy, inanimate objects with personalities, and a supposed moral lesson in the end. But Wicker is so much more than your average fable. Olivia Colman leads as the ‘ugly girl’ or rather, spinster woman, in a small village full of overly masculine men and submissive, jealous, gossiping women, all of whom do not have names but roles: the ‘baker’s wife’ or ‘baker.’ Initially, we are immediately placed in the headspace that this society, much like where our own is going, places women and wives lower than men, and everyone’s roles in the community are strictly defined.
Colman’s ‘Fisherwoman’ lives on the outskirts of society, selling fish and putting up with the jokes and jabs from the village people about her appearance, smell, and lack of a husband. After a rather humiliating experience at a village wedding, the Fisherwoman asks the mysterious, elusive basket weaver (Peter Dinklage) to weave her a husband. Dinklage, though sparsely used, brings the fable out of this tale, with Shakespearean-like monologues that, although jarring, add an indulgent, mischievous pleasure to the entire concept.
What follows is a roller coaster of romance, jealousy, and ‘bed breaking’ as the Fisherwoman’s new husband is nothing short of a “dream man” — who also happens to be highly flammable, susceptible to mold, and still learning how to be human.
Alexander Skarsgård plays opposite Colman as her strange new wicker husband. His appearance alone makes Wicker an astonishing spectacle. Using practical, 3D printed prosthetics, costume designers Tóth András Dániel and Godena-Juhász Attila transform Skarsgård into an intricate, detailed basket-man. Putting the infamous Scarecrow from Wicked: For Good (2025) to shame, The Wicker Husband’s design is a love letter to practical special effects. Combined with minor CGI additions that make Skarsgård look hollow, the film’s realism is an absolute triumph.
In character, Skarsgård brings vulnerability and naivety to the just-born man. Contrasting Colman’s hard, untrusting demeanor as a woman scorned and scrutinized her whole life, Skarsgård is light, trusting, and all-loving to his wife. Much to the jealousy and anger of the villagers, The Wicker Husband is absolutely devoted. Along with that comes a lot of contrast to the other village men, as he helps his wife, forgets ‘traditional’ marriage roles, and pleasures her — a lot — or as he hilariously calls it, “bed breaking.”
Wicker would be nothing if it lacked even an ounce of confidence. The story is quirky and unique, but the devotion of the cast and crew — notably the costume and production design — makes this film so special. Colman brings her usual oddball characterization that is equally funny and heartbreaking, and Skarsgård plays off of her with utter faithfulness. Meanwhile, the jealous townspeople, led by the ‘Tailor’s Wife,’ Elizabeth Debicki, bring constant nonsense that delivers joke after joke as the story jabs at what marriage, freedom, and love actually look like.
Wilson and Fischer, Sundance alumni, both direct and pen the film’s screenplay, taking the inspiration from the original story in stride. Their direction is strong, patient, and character-focused, but it’s in their writing where they shine. The script is dripping in commentary and soaked in delightful laughter. So often, I yearn for a fresh romantic comedy that favors a flawed woman, an older woman, and an untrusting woman.
At the center of Wicker, we watch a woman learn to trust her heart again. But as we dive more into the villagers and the various ‘normal’ marriages, we see that the entire community is cracking under the pressures and expectations of traditional matrimony. The Wicker Husband presents the idea that marriage should be fun, based on love and mutual respect, and involve a lot of passionate, sweaty sex — a crazy concept for us in 2026, I am sure.
Enthralled by the concept and delivery, I can only hope this quirky romantic fantasy gets the love it deserves as it fights for acquisition at the Sundance Film Festival. Often comedy, or even fantasy, fails to reach the ‘prestige’ of drama, thriller, and politically driven narratives, but Wicker is the unique spectacle we all need. As romance seems to be constantly watered down, with less-than-satisfying line delivery and passionate nights. It’s different, yes, and perhaps baskets sleeping with women are not for everyone, but if you give this fable a chance, I am sure you will find some small sliver of indulgent delight.
Review Courtesy of Sara Ciplickas
Feature Image Courtesy of Sundance Institute | Photo by Lol Crawley