Wicker is in theaters October 23. As audiences have learned from tales of crafted beings like Edward Scissorhands and Pinocchio, stories exploring artificial life often teach profound lessons about humanity and the yearning for connection. Wicker follows this tradition, presenting the story of a lonely Fisherwoman, played by Olivia Colman, who defies the limitations of her life by enlisting a mystical Basket Weaver, portrayed by Peter Dinklage, to create a husband made of wicker for her, brought to life by Alexander Skarsgård.
Despite its peculiar premise, the film unfolds with a surprising sweetness and a sharp condemnation of petty cruelties. While darker fantasy elements are present, including implied violence and gore that underscore the harsh realities of the depicted era, these serve to highlight moments of beauty and affirm the importance of savoring life's pleasures. The film is generally warm and charming, featuring genuine pathos, largely thanks to its exceptional cast. Colman, in particular, navigates both comedic and sorrowful moments with seemingly effortless grace, elevating the narrative beyond what might have been pedestrian or unrelatable in lesser hands.
Based on Ursula Wills-Jones' short story "The Wicker Husband," the film, directed by Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson, is set in a nondescript medieval village where inhabitants are defined by their trade or their husband's profession. The Fisherwoman stands out as the sole exception, known by her occupation and ostracized by the townspeople, ostensibly due to her potent scent. However, her true divergence lies in her refusal to conform to the rigid societal structures enforced by the Tailor's Wife, Elizabeth Debicki, pushing her to the fringes of the community.
These social constraints create a sense of claustrophobia, keenly felt by the Fisherwoman and mirrored by the Tailor's Wife's controlling nature. This suffocating atmosphere is reinforced by the film's visual storytelling: a small, hastily built town with dimly lit interiors often shrouded in mystery or ignorance. The Fisherwoman's isolated cottage, however, offers a sense of liberation with its open space and natural surroundings. This sanctuary evolves artistically once the Wicker Husband arrives, reflecting his creator's artistry and his perception of his wife.
The Wicker Husband himself is a striking creation, as are all the Basket Weaver's designs, standing in stark contrast to the grimy village. Weta Workshop employed CGI to render the Wicker Husband as delicate and precious, making any damage to him illustrative of humanity's failure to value what is precious. Skarsgård imbues the character with an inherent beauty, presenting him as both alien and profoundly relatable. His placid demeanor and innocent ignorance of human customs highlight the flaws within the village's way of life.
Initially, the Fisherwoman's acquisition of the Wicker Husband is an act of defiance, a subversion of the villagers' tendency to objectify. She retains her title, while her companion is known only as the Wicker Husband, a fact particularly galling to the Tailor's Wife, who secretly covets the Fisherwoman's freedom. For the Fisherwoman, work is both a necessity and a source of meaning, though it leaves her isolated. In the Wicker Husband, she finds an unexpected acceptance and care, developing deeper affections that introduce the complexities of jealousy and mistrust into her life.
Colman's performance is central to grounding the heightened fable. In a brief exchange with Debicki, she conveys a complex history of envy and animosity, while a single glance from Colman reveals how the Tailor's Wife's meanness has doomed the town. Colman masterfully captures the Fisherwoman's journey from vulnerability and self-sabotage to embracing the gift of her new life, offering the audience a sense of catharsis.
The film prompts viewers to question how much goodness they allow themselves before fear or insecurity leads them to damage it. The Fisherwoman, who has been told she is of little worth, grapples with granting herself permission to experience pleasure and believe that happiness can be as potent as suffering. The village, through her unconventional relationship, is forced to confront the same inquiry.
Thematically, Wicker critiques patriarchal structures where women are reduced to property. The Tailor's Wife embodies pettiness and destructive behavior stemming from suppressed talent. The village suffers due to a collective unwillingness to address critical failures, highlighting the cost of entrenched traditions. While an overt morality play, the film's surreal humor prevents it from becoming laborious.
Wicker also examines why individuals remain loyal to restrictive norms, both societal and internal, that cause pain. It further probes the boundaries of nature, as the Basket Weaver defies limitations and helps villagers reach their desires by naming them and cherishing the creations he provides.
Dinklage's Basket Weaver acts as an objective observer, a Greek chorus offering commentary and judgment. He imbues the character with a delight in creation and an empathy, particularly for outsiders like the Fisherwoman, while disdainful of the villagers' lack of compassion. His perspective, free from cultural programming, serves as a mirror, exposing the mundane absurdities of village life. Ultimately, the film celebrates the rewards of boldness and pursuing one's desires without seeking external approval.
Despite its direct storytelling, the film is imaginatively and immersively crafted. The technical elements and talented cast create a compelling world that offers enough distance for viewers to gain a clearer perspective on themselves. The film runs approximately one hour and 45 minutes.
Verdict: Endearing and unusual, Wicker is bolstered by a thoughtfully constructed visual world and a powerful cast that grounds the material, particularly Olivia Colman. It draws us into a constrained society and spins a simple fable about authenticity, freedom, and being fully human in a world that so often wants to turn us into objects.