“I want you to make me a husband.” That’s the request Olivia Colman puts to Peter Dinklage‘s local basketmaker in the first trailer for Wicker, Black Bear’s comedic fable that sent audiences into a double standing ovation at Sundance earlier this year.
Word of his construction spreads fast around the village, with one townswoman marveling, “I heard he’s strong as a tree and just as hard.” The footage introduces Alexander Skarsgård as the title character — a fully practical, handwoven creation who proves far more spectacular than Colman’s ostracized fisherwoman ever imagined. Watch the trailer below and read on for everything to know about one of the fall’s most anticipated films.
The plot
The logline from Black Bear reads: “An audacious comedic fable about sex, marriage, and the absurdities of social convention, Wicker tells the wholly original love story of an ostracized fisherwoman (Colman) who commissions a husband to be made by the local basketmaker (Dinklage). When her wicker husband (Skarsgård) proves more spectacular than she ever imagined, his soulful spirit and unique prowess awaken something inside her, setting off a wave of jealousy, fascination, and upheaval that threatens the very fabric of village life.
The cast
The cast is led by Oscar winner Olivia Colman, Golden Globe winner Alexander Skarsgård, and Emmy winners Elizabeth Debicki and Peter Dinklage. The ensemble also includes Marli Siu, Nabhaan Rizwan, Richard E. Grant, and Ella Bruccoleri.
Premiere and theatrical release
Wicker premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on Jan. 24, 2026. Black Bear Pictures, which also handled international sales on the film, acquired North American distribution rights the following month.
Black Bear will release Wicker in select theaters on Oct. 23 before expanding the film nationwide on Oct. 30.
How was Skarsgård’s wicker husband brought to life?
Rather than relying on visual effects, the production built Skarsgård’s title character as a fully practical suit. Wētā Workshop, the design house behind Avatar and The Lord of the Rings, constructed the costume, led by married visual effects artists Joe Dunckley and Sarah Rubano. The tactile, handwoven craftsmanship has drawn comparisons to the classic creature work of Jim Henson’s Creature Shop.
Behind the camera
Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson, the duo behind Save Yourselves!, wrote and directed Wicker, adapting Ursula Wills-Jones’ short story for the screen. Sofi Marshall edited the film. Cinematography comes from Academy Award winner Lol Crawley, fresh off The Brutalist. Production design comes from Renátó Cseh (Poor Things), while Tóth András Dániel and Attila Godena-Juhász handled costumes. Anna Meredith composed the film’s music.
The film is produced by Ed Sinclair, Tom Carver, Olivia Colman, Justin Lothrop, Brent Stiefel, and Brad Zimmerman, with David Michôd, Andrea Cornwell, Oliver Kassman, Tim Headington, Lia Buman, Ryan Heller, and Michael Bloom serving as executive producers.
Awards potential
Wicker looks poised for a run in the comedy categories at the 2027 Golden Globes, which will likely determine whether it has staying power beyond that.
The film has been well received by critics, currently holding “fresh” at 91% on Rotten Tomatoes, with a score of 70 on Metacritic. It also arrives with an accomplished cast. Colman won the Best Actress Oscar for The Favourite and has three Golden Globes for The Night Manager, The Favourite, and The Crown. Skarsgård won an Emmy and a Golden Globe for Big Little Lies. Dinklage has won four Emmys and a Golden Globe for Game of Thrones. Debicki won an Emmy, a Golden Globe, and and Actor Award for The Crown.
Poster
