Olivia Colman Leads “Wicker,” a Romantic Fantasy With a Husband Made of Reeds

A husband woven from wicker who comes to life sounds like the start of a bedtime story, and that is more or less the spirit of “Wicker.” The 2026 romantic fantasy comedy puts Olivia Colman at its centre and builds a warm, offbeat premise around her. It is the kind of idea that could only work with the right cast, and this one has a strong trio.

The cast and the characters

Colman stars, with Alexander Skarsgård playing the wicker husband who comes to life. Peter Dinklage rounds out the central group as the basketmaker, the figure whose craft sets the whole premise in motion. Together they anchor a story that leans into fantasy while keeping its feet in comedy and romance.

The film is based on the short story “The Wicker Husband,” so the idea has roots in existing fiction rather than starting from scratch. Behind the camera, “Wicker” is directed by Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson, a directing pair guiding the tone of a story that blends the magical and the everyday.

From Sundance to Zurich

The film began its public life on the festival circuit. It premiered at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival in January, one of the first big showcases of the year and a familiar launching pad for new films. That early premiere gave “Wicker” an audience well before its wider release.

From there it travelled. The film screened at the Zurich Film Festival on September 28, 2026, keeping it in front of festival crowds through the year. Those stops helped build awareness ahead of its arrival in cinemas.

Reaching cinemas

“Wicker” had its theatrical release on October 23, 2026, and then expanded the week of October 30. That staggered approach, opening first and then widening its reach, gives a film a chance to build momentum and reach audiences in more places over a couple of weeks.

There is a lot to like in the setup. A premise rooted in a short story, a cast that pairs Colman with Skarsgård and Dinklage, and a festival run that carried the film from Sundance to Zurich all point to a project made with care. For audiences who enjoy a story that mixes romance, comedy and a touch of the fantastical, “Wicker” offers a premise unlike most of what shares the autumn release calendar.