Swooning comic fairy tale with a side of spice
There are some fables that manage to blend the utterly absurd with profound commentary on human nature, and Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson’s adaptation of Ursula Wills’ story, <Wicker Husband>, is one such gem. This high-concept comedy isn’t just a charming fairy tale; it’s a sharp, witty examination of the toxic ties of matrimony, dressed in the delightfully strange garb of medieval fantasy.
At its core, the film sets a bizarre stage: a medieval society where social convention dictates everything, and women are literally bound by custom, placed in collars like dogs upon their wedding day, consigned to servitude. The narrative takes a sharp turn when a single woman asks a basket weaver to craft a husband out of wicker, sparking a comedic and deeply unsettling exploration of desire and ownership.
While the premise is wonderfully outlandish, the film operates on much deeper thematic waters, touching upon modern anxieties about companionship, romantic bonding, and sexual fulfillment. In an era saturated with chatbot romances and computer-generated desire, this fable amusingly strikes pertinent notes about the fragile, often complicated nature of human relationships.
The film deftly deconstructs the delusions surrounding love, echoing the philosophical explorations found in romantic science fiction. Yet, what elevates <Wicker Husband> beyond mere satire is its potent emotional core. At the center of the story are Alexander Skarsgård and Olivia Colman, whose chemistry sizzles with an alluring and poignant energy, delivering genuine pathos that reminds the viewer of what true connection feels like.
Skarsgård, embodying the shape of the wicker husband with captivating eyes and voice, charms his co-star, Fisherwoman, creating sparks that feel both hilarious and deeply moving. Their dynamic beautifully channels the tender vulnerability explored in films like Her, proving that even in a story about rigid social structures, genuine feeling can thrive.
The supporting ensemble brings a rich tapestry of comedic talent. A stellar cast includes British comedic heavyweights such as Kiell Smith-Bynoe and Nabhaan Rizwan, alongside acclaimed actors like Phil Daniels, Elizabeth Debicki, Richard E. Grant, and Peter Dinklage, who inject brilliant layers of wit—from profound soliloquies to hilarious one-liners.
The visual craftsmanship is equally impressive. Wētā Workshop took the reins on the look and design of the wicker husband, resulting in practical effects that are anything but stuffy or unsexy. The fabricated suits and facial prosthetics for Skarsgård are genuinely stunning, lending weight and tactile reality to the magical fairy-tale setting.
Ultimately, the film succeeds by balancing its sharp humor with genuine emotional depth. Olivia Colman’s character, the stubborn outlier amidst the convention, is given a much-needed personality. By focusing on the emotional confusion and shared joy between the central couple, <Wicker Husband> proves that even when shaking up the status quo of heterosexual relationships, a story can be both quick-witted and incredibly entertaining.
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