The film Wicker, premiering at the Sundance Film Festival this weekend, features Peter Dinklage in the lead role of a basket weaver who creates a husband from straw. Set in a fantasy world, the movie explores themes of love, societal jealousy, and conformity, with Olga Colman starring as a lonely woman who brings the wicker husband to life through magic.
A Modern Fairy Tale Unfolds at Sundance
Wicker draws inspiration from Ursula Wills-Jones’s short story The Wicker Husband, which centers on a woman marginalized by her peers. Instead of navigating modern dating apps like Hinge or Raya, her character commissions a basket maker to craft her a partner. Peter Dinklage embodies this basket weaver, whose creation becomes a devoted and protective companion, challenging the narrow-minded attitudes of their villagers.
The film is a collaboration between married directors Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson, starring an ensemble cast that includes Olivia Colman, Alexander Skårsgard, and Elizabeth Debicki. It is produced by Topic Studios and Tango.
The Visual Mastery Behind the Wicker Creation
Olivia Colman portrays the isolated woman living in a world reminiscent of feudal times. When she asks Dinklage’s character to create a husband from straw, magic and expert costume design bring this woven man to life. Skårsgard acts as the striking, loyal companion who supports Colman’s character beyond expectations. However, their relationship stirs jealousy among the villagers, sparking tension and hostility.
It’s a very dressed-up movie about relationships and marriage. That’s really fun to kind of dig into all the desire and the envy, repression and misogyny,
Eleanor Wilson explained to Variety.
The costume worn by Skårsgard, designed by Weta Workshop, was an extensive effort involving around 50 people to create. It will be unveiled during the film’s premiere on Friday in Park City, Utah.
We worked with WETA, the best people in the world. We engaged them really early, which was huge, because we knew that we needed to be able to show people what this was going to look like,
Alex Huston Fischer shared.
It’s important to get the audience on board with the idea. We need to know this creation looks like the actor, and that he would be stunning.
Passion for the Role and Visual Storytelling
Prior to the premiere, Olivia Colman spoke at the Variety Studio presented by Audible, expressing her enthusiasm for the project. She revealed that she was drawn to the character and the script.
I genuinely loved the script. I wanted to play the stinky fisherwoman. It is one of my favorite scripts I’ve ever read. I would’ve been really angry if someone else played it. That’s my litmus test.
Colman said.
The film’s cinematographer is Oscar winner Lol Crawley, known for his work on The Brutalist. As the movie seeks distribution during Sundance, it has already generated buzz for its unique blending of fantasy, costume design, and intense character dynamics.
The Film’s Themes Reflect Complex Social Issues
Wicker delves into the complexities surrounding desire, envy, and social repression through its fairy tale lens. The jealousy of the villagers toward Colman’s resourceful character highlights the cruelty of conformity and narrow-mindedness. This uneasy atmosphere contributes to the film’s intense, anxious tone as relationships unfold amidst suspicion and resentment.
With Peter Dinklage’s compelling portrayal, the movie challenges audiences to reconsider traditional notions of love and partnership in a surreal setting. The intersection of fantasy and human emotion offers a vivid exploration of isolation and acceptance.
As the film reaches viewers through Sundance’s platform, its innovative approach to storytelling and costume craft suggests potential impact within the independent film community and beyond.
