Wicker – Movie Review
There’s something wonderfully peculiar about Wicker, a film that feels entirely comfortable marching to the beat of its own drum. Built around an unusual premise, it takes some wonderfully unexpected turns, mixing eccentric humour, romance and a touch of the fantastical into something that’s difficult to pin down. It’s certainly not a film that plays by the usual rules, and that’s very much part of its appeal.
Olivia Colman and Alexander Skarsgård make for a terrific pairing, bringing very different energies to the story. Colman is as effortlessly captivating as ever, finding just the right balance of warmth, wit and eccentricity, while Skarsgård brings a wonderfully understated quality to his performance. There’s a lovely chemistry between the two, and much of the film’s appeal comes from watching their characters navigate the increasingly unusual circumstances around them. Both understand the slightly off-kilter world they’re inhabiting and lean into it without ever making things feel forced.
What I particularly enjoyed was the film’s willingness to embrace its own oddness. There’s a playful sensibility running through it, and some of its more unexpected moments are genuinely delightful. It has a certain storybook quality, but there’s enough bite and mischief to stop things from becoming overly sweet or sentimental. The film also finds some interesting things to say about relationships, desire and the things people are willing to do for love, even if it doesn’t always explore those ideas as deeply as it could.
That said, the film isn’t quite as consistent as I’d hoped. There are moments where the story meanders a little, and some of its more interesting ideas could have used a bit more room to breathe. It occasionally feels like it’s juggling a few too many things at once, which takes some of the momentum out of the experience. I was still very much along for the ride, but there’s a feeling that a little more focus could have made this something really special.
Still, there’s plenty to appreciate here. Colman and Skarsgård are a big part of that, and the film’s willingness to be genuinely different makes it an enjoyable change of pace. It might be a little rough around the edges, but I’d much rather a film take a few creative swings than play things entirely safe.
A curious, charming and delightfully offbeat little film with personality to spare, even if it doesn’t quite hit every mark.
Wicker is in Australian cinemas November 5
