The trailer for the upcoming film "Wicker," starring Olivia Colman and Alexander Skarsgård, has generated significant buzz and confusion among fans due to its unconventional premise.
Described as "vulgar, horny yet unexpectedly heartwarming," the film centers on Colman's character, a lonely fisherwoman plagued by a persistent fishy odor that hinders her love life. In her desperation for affection, she commissions a local basket weaver, played by Peter Dinklage, to construct a husband for her out of wicker. This creation, portrayed by Skarsgård, comes to life and becomes a source of intense jealousy among the village women, threatening the social fabric.
The trailer, released this week, opens with a graphic scene depicting Colman's character in a passionate encounter, before flashing back to reveal her social isolation and mockery within her village due to her single status. The narrative progresses to Dinklage's character spending a month crafting the wicker husband, who is then married to Colman's character.
Further racy scenes showcase Colman's character's admiration of her wicker husband's physique, followed by an intense clinch. The film also features a cast including Phil Daniels, Richard E. Grant, and Elizabeth Debicki, whose characters become captivated by the couple's relationship, leading to conflict between the village men and women.
Fans have reacted with a mixture of bewilderment and excitement. "Olivia will not do a normal movie and I live for that," commented one viewer. Others expressed intrigue, with sentiments like "You know what? Fair play to her. I'm not going to judge the lady for wanting a hot monster husband" and "This is insane, I'm so excited to see this. Perfect casting."
Some viewers have drawn comparisons between "Wicker" and other narratives such as "Wicked," in which a witch falls for the Scarecrow, and "The Shape of Water," about a janitor who falls for an amphibious creature.
The cast has shared insights into the film's unique subject matter. Elizabeth Debicki, playing the Tailor's wife, described her character as deeply unhappy who undergoes a transformation after witnessing the fisherwoman's unconventional life choice. Peter Dinklage noted that his character, also an outsider, feels an affinity for the fisherwoman, suggesting he is unaffected by her scent.
Colman herself has praised the script, calling it one of her top three favorite scripts ever read. "Wicker" premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January and currently holds a 91 percent "fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
The film taps into the burgeoning "monster romance" genre, which has seen a surge in popularity, particularly among Gen Z audiences. This trend has been fueled by viral books on platforms like TikTok and Goodreads, featuring stories with fantastical beings and unconventional relationships, such as C.M. Nascosta's "Morning Glory Milking Farm" and Ruby Dixon's "Ice Planet Barbarians" series.
Industry experts like Julianne Buonocore attribute the appeal of fantasy romance to its "escapist nature." The genre, sometimes referred to as "Romantasy," gained significant traction following the success of Rebecca Yarros' "Fourth Wing."
Romance authors suggest that the appeal of such stories lies in their ability to provide a sense of control and order by externalizing anxieties into fantastical elements like monsters. This allows readers to confront and manage complex emotions within a structured narrative, often with a satisfying resolution.
"Wicker" is scheduled for release in the United States on October 23 and in the United Kingdom on October 30.