Olivia Colman Stunned by Wicker Film's Viral Memes — SkimNews
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- Olivia Colman told the BBC at the London Film Festival premiere that the viral reaction to Wicker is unmatched in her career, saying: 'literally this has never happened for anything I've done before' — adding that 'you put Alexander Skarsgård in an interesting outfit, and everyone is looking'
- Wicker follows a lonely, ostracised medieval fisherwoman who hires a basketmaker to mould her a life-size wicker husband; Skarsgård emerges as a 'strapping, dashing' piece of furniture who becomes a devoted lover, sparking jealousy among village women
- Alexander Skarsgård credited the costume designers for the internet frenzy around his wicker-man character, saying he just had to 'get stuck into it,' and described the erotic scenes — including a bed-crashing moment — as 'super fun' to shoot
- Ikea joined the viral wave by posting photos of its rattan furniture on Instagram with the caption 'husband material' in a nod to the film
- Wicker features an A-list supporting cast including Peter Dinklage as the basket weaver, Elizabeth Debicki as the tailor's wife, and Richard E. Grant as the village doctor, and is adapted from Ursula Wills-Jones's short story 'The Wicker Husband'
- Critics split after the film's Sundance premiere — The Guardian awarded two stars and warned of 'too much wood but not enough fire,' while The Hollywood Reporter called it 'a warming, sometimes poignant pleasure'
- Wicker is released in UK cinemas on October 30, with its cast emphasising that beyond the meme buzz the film explores gender roles, social hierarchy, and the traditions of marriage and community
Why it matters: An unusual indie concept — a fisherwoman's wicker husband played by Alexander Skarsgård — has generated viral meme buzz typically reserved for major releases, with even Ikea jumping in. The October 30 UK theatrical debut will reveal whether meme-driven curiosity translates to ticket sales after The Guardian's two-star review warned of 'too much wood but not enough fire.'
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