Wicker Trailer Reveals Olivia Colman and Alexander Skarsgård in an Unsettling Village Story
The Wicker trailer has given audiences their first look at one of this year’s most unusual fantasy films, pairing Olivia Colman and Alexander Skarsgård in a story that blends romance, folklore, and social satire. Wicker doesn’t take the more traditional fairy tale route, but introduces us to a secluded seaside village where one unconventional decision has a disruptive effect on the entire community. That makes the film one of the more distinctive releases to come this October.
A romance unlike any other
The trailer focuses on a solitary fisherwoman (played by Olivia Colman) who’s been teased for years about not getting married. Desperate to avoid the judgement of her neighbours, she visits a local basketmaker (Peter Dinklage) to create a husband from wicker.
Alexander Skarsgård plays the magical wicker husband, whose arrival takes what seems to start as a simple fantasy romance and turns it into a story of acceptance and jealousy and shifting social norms. But instead of celebrating the couple, the village reacts with suspicion and hostility, creating tensions that fuel the film’s central conflict.
The Village Is The Real Story
The trailer underscores the odd relationship but also suggests that Wicker is less about fantasy and more about how communities respond to anything that threatens tradition.
As curiosity, resentment and fear spread among the villagers, the remote coastal setting becomes increasingly disturbing. It’s not about the horror elements but the idea that conformity and public opinion can change daily life when something extraordinary shows up in a normal place.
Alexander Skarsgård’s Most Radical Role Yet
One of the trailer’s most striking moments has to do with Alexander Skarsgård’s physical transformation. The actor wears a full-body wicker costume and prosthetics that have been built by Wētā Workshop. There’s a lot of practical effects in there, rather than a lot of CGI.
The filmmakers have said the role was technically demanding as almost every move had to fit into the elaborate costume. Skarsgård also said that playing a character defined entirely by kindness was a unique acting challenge compared to many of his previous roles.
Sundance Buzz Raises Expectations
Wicker debuted at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, and early word of mouth has been positive about its originality and performances. Based on a short story by Ursula Wills-Jones, The Wicker Husband, adapted and expanded into a feature-length fantasy drama by Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson, the film is directed by the duo.
The cast also includes Elizabeth Debicki, Marli Siu, Richard E. Grant and Nabhaan Rizwan, alongside Colman, Skarsgård and Dinklage.
Release Date
After its festival debut, Wicker will open in limited theatres from October 23, 2026, before expanding to additional cinemas on October 30, 2026. The trailer, released recently, tantalises viewers with the promise of a more offbeat blend of fantasy, romance, comedy and heart than your average fairy tale.
References
People – Release dates, trailer, cast, Sundance reaction and Alexander Skarsgård on playing the wicker husband.
EW – premise of the story, Peter Dinklage’s role, Wētā Workshop prosthetics, and production tidbits.
British Council UK Films Database – Official synopsis, cast, runtime and production information.
Sundance Institute – Info on the film’s Sundance premiere and its themes of marriage and social convention.
