Olivia Colman is earning widespread praise for her performance in Wicker, but the raunchy fantasy comedy has left critics sharply divided following its premiere at the London Film Festival.

The unusual film, which blends fairy-tale romance, sexual comedy and tragedy, has been described by one reviewer as a deeply embarrassing adult fairy tale. Others, however, have awarded it four stars, praising Colman’s emotional range and the performances of her co-stars.

Adapted from a short story by Ursula Wills-Jones, Wicker follows a lonely Fisherwoman, played by Colman, whose persistent fishy odour complicates her search for love. Desperate for companionship, she commissions a local basket weaver, portrayed by Peter Dinklage, to create a husband made entirely of wicker.

The plan takes an extraordinary turn when the creation, played by Alexander Skarsgård, comes to life. His irresistible appeal sparks jealousy among the village’s women, led by Elizabeth Debicki, threatening to upset the community’s social order.

The film attracted attention even before its premiere, with its first trailer released in July prompting surprise over its graphic sexual content. Now, the reviews have arrived, and the verdict on the film itself is far less unanimous than the praise for its leading actress.

One Critic Gives the Film Just One Star

Robbie Collin of The Telegraph delivered one of the harshest assessments, awarding Wicker just one star and describing it as a “mortifying adult fairy tale.”

Collin questioned whether the film could sustain its central comic premise, which involves Colman’s character engaging in sexual encounters with a living wicker husband.

His verdict stands in stark contrast to several four-star reviews that have praised the film’s eccentric concept and the performances at its centre.

Olivia Colman Wins Praise Across Four-Star Reviews

Brian Viner of the Daily Mail awarded Wicker four stars, applauding its supporting cast, a memorable cameo from Richard E. Grant and Skarsgård’s performance.

However, Viner singled out Colman as the film’s standout. He praised the way she portrays Fisherwoman’s loneliness before shifting into the character’s happiness and confidence, followed by mounting paranoia when rumours about her husband’s fidelity begin circulating. The story eventually takes a tragic turn.

Kevin Maher of The Times also gave the film four stars, arguing that Colman’s performance elevates the unconventional period comedy beyond what its premise might suggest.

Stephen A. Russell of Screenhub similarly awarded four stars, describing Colman’s work as a masterclass in emotional expression. Russell also praised Skarsgård for playing the wicker creation with quiet charm rather than turning the character into an exaggerated fantasy figure.

Meanwhile, Siddhant Adlankha of Digital Spy called Wicker a raunchy, unconventional delight that retains the fairy-tale qualities of its source material.

The positive reviews suggest that, even for critics who embrace the film’s unusual approach, Colman’s performance is one of its strongest assets.

The Guardian Questions What Lies Beneath the Fantasy

Not every critic was convinced that the film’s visual and conceptual appeal translated into a satisfying story.

Benjamin Lee of The Guardian praised Colman’s ability to move between broad comedy and emotionally devastating drama, but argued that the surrounding film struggled to match her skill.

The criticism points to a recurring divide in the reviews: while Colman’s performance has been widely celebrated, some reviewers believe the screenplay and storytelling do not consistently deliver on the promise of the premise.

For a film built around a woman who creates an unconventional husband in pursuit of love, that difference between an intriguing concept and a fully realised story may prove central to its reception.

Alexander Skarsgård Was Initially Confused by the Script

The film’s leading actors have been discussing its unusual premise while promoting it following the London Film Festival premiere.

Speaking to Graham Norton on Friday, Skarsgård revealed that he initially misunderstood what kind of film he had been offered. When he received the script, he thought it was connected to The Wicker Man, the horror film, and expected something frightening. Instead, he discovered that it was a comedy featuring plenty of sex.

Colman described the project as wonderful and magical, adding that it contains plenty of unexpected elements. She also recalled how much fun the cast had during filming and how difficult it could be to avoid laughing during scenes together.

The actress joked about the film’s vigorous love scenes, adding that the production fortunately involved no splinters.

Skarsgård, meanwhile, joked that playing a genuinely nice character was unfamiliar territory for him, describing the role as an unexpected challenge.

Can Colman’s Performance Win Over Audiences?

With its bizarre romantic premise, explicit comedy and darker emotional turns, Wicker appears unlikely to appeal to every viewer. Its critical reception reflects that divide, with some reviewers embracing its eccentricity and others questioning whether the story has enough substance beneath its unusual exterior.

Yet the recurring praise for Colman’s portrayal of Fisherwoman gives the film a clear point of consensus amid the disagreement.

Whether audiences ultimately embrace the film’s strange blend of fantasy, desire and tragedy remains to be seen. For now, Wicker has secured attention not only as one of the year’s more unconventional romantic comedies, but also as a showcase for an actress whose performance critics continue to admire, even when they disagree about the movie around her.

Source: Compiled from various sources.