Wicker is a new fantasy romantic comedy set in the early 19th century. The film follows a solitary fisherwoman, played by Olivia Colman, whose status as an unmarried woman makes her the target of ridicule in her town. Rather than choose one of the local men, she asks a basket weaver, played by Peter Dinklage, to create her a husband from wicker. Alexander Skarsgård plays the resulting character, known as the Wicker Husband.
Although the premise may sound deliberately unusual, the film has received a strong response from critics and audiences. Wicker is currently Certified Fresh and Verified Hot on Rotten Tomatoes, with a 95% Tomatometer score and a 92% Popcornmeter score. Its popularity has also led hundreds of cinemas across North America to add showtimes.
The film is frequently described as a “Medieval Edward Scissorhands,” although Wicker is not set during the Middle Ages. The comparison comes from the two films’ stories about gentle, artificial beings created by eccentric makers and brought into communities that initially react with fascination before turning against them.
In Tim Burton’s 1990 film, Edward is an artificial man created by an inventor and left with scissor blades instead of hands. His unusual appearance and difficulty communicating make it hard for the residents of a suburban town to understand him, even as his kindness and creativity win some of them over. Edward also develops a romance with Kim Boggs, played by Winona Ryder, whose changing feelings eventually lead her to protect him from the townspeople.
Wicker follows a different path. The Wicker Husband is commissioned by the fisherwoman rather than created independently by an inventor, and he is more comfortable socializing than Edward. The basket maker gives him individuality, allowing him to develop his own opinions, feelings and desires. Although he was made to be the fisherwoman’s companion, the story presents his love and devotion as his own choices.
The Wicker Husband becomes an important partner in the fisherwoman’s daily life. He helps with fishing, runs errands and repairs her home, transforming her deteriorating shack into a cottage with a garden. He also prepares the fish for sale and explains that he does these things because making his wife happy gives them value.
His behavior disrupts the town’s social order. The local wives begin to recognize how poorly their own husbands treat them, while the men see the Wicker Husband as a threat for creating expectations they do not want to meet. The fisherwoman is also treated more harshly by the other women, who resent the attention and relationship she has gained.
Both Wicker and Edward Scissorhands use their romances to examine love, respect and the meaning of being human. Their central characters are kind creations who challenge the communities around them, exposing how fear and misunderstanding can turn into rejection. Despite their differences, both films keep the relationship between their main characters at the center of the story.
Wicker was released on October 23, 2026. It has a runtime of 105 minutes and was directed and written by Eleanor Wilson and Alex Huston Fischer.
Sources: Comic Book Resources.