Wicker gets – Black Bear has set an Oct. 23 limited theatrical release for “Wicker,” ahead of a nationwide expansion on Oct. 30. The comedic fable starring Olivia Colman and others follows a Sundance premiere and adapts Ursula Wills’ short story “The Wicker Husband.”
For a film that first found its audience at the Sundance Film Festival, “Wicker” is now stepping into theaters with real momentum behind it. Black Bear has set an Oct. 23 limited theatrical release for Eleanor Wilson and Alex Huston Fischer’s comedic fable, “Wicker,” the company announced Thursday.
The expansion comes quickly: the film will expand nationwide the following week on Oct. 30.
“Wicker” brings together a star-studded ensemble, including Olivia Colman, Alexander Skarsgård, Peter Dinklage, and Elizabeth Debicki, with Marli Siu and Nabhaan Rizwan. The film is based on the short story “The Wicker Husband” by Ursula Wills, with Wilson and Fischer adapting the screenplay.
The official synopsis sets a specific kind of spark—one that comes with consequences for everyone watching from the village sidelines. “Wicker” is described as “an audacious comedic fable about sex. marriage. and social convention. centering on a wholly original love story. When the ostracized Fisherwoman (Colman) commissions a wicker husband from the local Basketmaker (Dinklage). her unexpected romance with the creation (Skarsgård) sparks jealousy and threatens the village’s social order.”.
Black Bear framed the move as an act of championing a singular kind of filmmaking. Benjamin Kramer, President of U.S. Distribution, said in a statement, “Wicker is just the kind of film we’re passionate about championing at Black Bear. It’s bold, entertaining, and totally unlike anything else, as its early fans at Sundance have seen. Eleanor and Alex’s creative ambition shines through at every turn. Alongside an unforgettable cast, they have created a fresh and special experience. Supporting visionary filmmakers is at the core of what we do. and we look forward to bringing this unique story to audiences in theaters.”.
Craft is part of the draw here, too. The below-the-line team includes cinematographer Lol Crawley; winning production designer Renátó Cseh; and costume designers András Dániel Tóth and Attila Godena-Juhász. who are credited with “creating an anachronistic folk world rich in character detail.” Composer Anna Meredith “unified the tone with a bold. recorder-driven score.” Skarsgård’s fully practical Wicker Husband suit was created by Joe Dunckley and Weta Workshop.
With Oct. 23 arriving first for limited audiences, “Wicker” is set up for the kind of theatrical lift that starts small and grows fast—especially for a story built around romance, jealousy, and the rules of a community unwilling to look away.
Wicker Black Bear Sundance Film Festival Olivia Colman Alexander Skarsgård Peter Dinklage Elizabeth Debicki Eleanor Wilson Alex Huston Fischer Ursula Wills The Wicker Husband Oct. 23 release Oct. 30 nationwide expansion Joe Dunckley Weta Workshop
Oct 23 for limited theaters? Thought it already came out on streaming lol
Olivia Colman and Peter Dinklage in the same movie sounds weirdly perfect. But why is it called “Wicker” like… baskets? Also “about sex” is always gonna be a lot for a “comedic fable” I guess.
So is this like a horror wicker husband situation? Like the husband is literally made of wicker and then it attacks people? The article says jealousy and village order so I’m assuming it’s gonna be one of those weird medieval morality plays.
I saw Sundance mention and immediately thought it was some small indie thing that’ll disappear. Then they’re expanding Oct 30, okay. The cast is stacked (Skarsgård, Dinklage, Debicki) but the plot sounds like it might get stuck on “social convention” talk. Also “limited release” always feels like a tease, like how am I supposed to catch it without driving across town.