Here’s a Sundance 2026 title. Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson’s “Wicker,” starring Olivia Colman and Alexander Skarsgård, was acquired by Black Bear and now has a trailer.
Also starring Elizabeth Debicki, Peter Dinklage, and Marli Siu—not to mention Oscar-winning cinematographer Lol Crawley (The Brutalist) serving as DP—the film garnered positive reviews at Sundance and currently holds a 70 on Metacritic, and 95% on Rotten Tomatoes.
It looks fun. Colman tends to elevate whatever she’s in. I like Debicki, Dinklage and Skarsgård. Hopefully, we have an original treat in our hands.
Based on Ursula Wills’ short story “The Wicker Husband,” Colman plays a lonely fisherwoman in a feudal‑like fantasy world who commissions a straw husband from a local basketmaker (Dinklage). Through magic and a Weta Workshop–crafted costume, her wish brings to life a dashing woven companion (Skarsgård), whose devotion sparks both romance and jealousy, threatening the village’s fragile social order. Skarsgard
Skarsgård on taking the role:
“Most male actors dream of playing Hamlet at some point in their career. I never did. My dream was always to have nipples made out of wicker. Thanks to our wonderful directors, Eleanor and Alex, and the brilliant artists at Wētā in New Zealand, my dream has finally come true.”
No word yet on how much Black Bear paid to acquire “Wicker,” but it likely wasn’t a huge sum. The biggest deals from this past January’s Sundance Film Festival were “The Invite” (A24, $12M) and “Josephine” (Sumerian Pictures, $6–7 M).
“Wicker” hits theaters on October 30.
Before practically going bankrupt, Row K had planned to release "Cliffhanger" in August 2026 on more than 3000 screens nationwide — hopefully with Vertical it hits as many theaters.