Independent studio Blackbear has decided to give the comedy fable “The Wicker,” which premiered at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival in January, a limited theatrical release on October 23.
“The Wicker” will be released in the United States next week on October 30th. The film, produced by Eleanor Wilson and Alex Houston Fisher, stars Olivia Colman, Alexander Skarsgård, Peter Dinklage, and Elizabeth Debicki, and received critical acclaim and a standing ovation at its Sundance premiere.
According to the official description, “The Wicker” is “a bold comedic fable about the absurdities of sex, marriage, and social mores. “The Wicker” is an all-original love story about an ostracized fisherman (Coleman) who asks a local basket maker (Dinklage) to make him a husband. When Wicker’s husband (Skarsgård) turns out to be more than she ever imagined, his soulful spirit and unique talent awaken something in him. In her heart arouses jealousy, fascination and a turbulent wave that threatens the very life of the village. ”
The film is based on the short story “The Wicker Husband” by Ursula Wills and features cinematography by Lol Crowley (The Brutalist), production design by Lennart Cze (The Poor Thing), costumes by András Daniel Tóth and Attila Godena-Juhasz, music by Anna Meredith (The Eighth Grade), and work by design shop Wētā Workshop. (“Avatar”, “Lord of the Rings”).
“‘The Wicker’ is exactly the kind of film we are passionate about championing Black Bear,” said Benjamin Kramer, President of US Distribution. “As early fans saw at Sundance, this production is bold, funny and completely different. Eleanor and Alex’s creative ambition shines through at every turn. Along with an unforgettable cast, they have created a fresh and special experience. Supporting visionary filmmakers is at the heart of what we do, and we look forward to bringing this unique story to theater audiences.”
The film was financed by Tango and Topic Studios and produced by Tim Headington, Leah Bouman, Ryan Heller, and Michael Bloom, along with South of the River’s Coleman, Ed Sinclair, and Tom Carver. David Michod and Brad Zimmerman of Yoki, Inc. Votiv’s Justin Lothrop and Brent Stiefel conceived and funded the development. Also, Andrea Cornwell and Oliver Kassman. Executive producers include Ian Stratford, Jasmine Daghigian, Jennifer Westin, Neel Shah, Max Silva and Lina Stroud.
In addition to the domestic release of The Wicker, Blackbear will also oversee the film’s international sales, with direct release in the UK and Canada through its Elevation Pictures subsidiary.
“Wicker” joins a growing number of Black Bear releases, including “Tuner” and “The Rivals of Amziah King.”
