Olivia Colman Shines in Whimsical Romantic Fantasy 'Wicker'

Olivia Colman stars as a lonely fisherwoman in the romantic fantasy "Wicker," a film that blends fairy tale elements with unexpected raunchiness. The movie, an adaptation of Ursula Wills-Jones' short story "The Wicker Husband," was screened at the London Film Festival and is set to open in cinemas on October 30.

In the film, Colman plays a ridiculed spinster who, rather than choosing from limited local suitors, commissions a spouse from a Master Basket Weaver, portrayed by Peter Dinklage. She is then introduced to her "Wicker Husband," played by Alexander Skarsgård, who is depicted as courteous, thoughtful, and skilled.

The performances of Colman and Skarsgård have drawn praise. Critic Brian Viner describes their on-screen chemistry as "splendid" and highlights Colman's ability to convey the fisherwoman's transformation from downtrodden loneliness to joyful smugness, which later gives way to paranoia. Skarsgård is also commended for his role, with Viner noting he "give[s] wooden performances a good name" thanks to strong special effects work.

The film's setting is a vaguely Germanic medieval town with provincial English accents, reminiscent of a Brothers Grimm tale but with a more risqué tone. The narrative explores themes of societal treatment of women and outsiders, drawing comparisons to "Pinocchio" and "Frankenstein" due to its synthetic creature narrative, and to Guillermo del Toro's "The Shape of Water" for its dark romantic fantasy elements.

Supporting cast members, including Elizabeth Debicki as the haughty Tailor's Wife and Richard E. Grant in a cameo as a clueless doctor, are also noted for their contributions. Dinklage's performance as the Basket Weaver is described as "glorious," with monologues that verge on musical numbers.

Viner rates "Wicker" four out of five stars, calling it an "entertaining adaptation" and emphasizing that its pleasure lies more in its substance and "nods to other stories" than a singular message. He concludes that while "Wicker" may not be in the same league as "The Shape of Water," it is ultimately "a lot of fun."