Wicker has an unusual setup that might make you laugh before the story even begins. But beneath its playful and sometimes awkward moments is a touching story about wanting someone to share your life with.

Olivia Colman and Alexander Skarsgård make this unexpected romance believable. Colman brings both strength and sadness to the fisherwoman, while Skarsgård gives the wicker man a warmth that makes him easy to care about.

The village also plays an important part in the story. Its gossip, jealousy, and judgment show how easily a community can turn against someone who chooses a different kind of happiness.

The characters are known by their jobs rather than personal names, which makes the setting feel familiar beyond one place or time. The pressure to marry, the fear of growing older alone, and the need to belong are easy to understand.

Some of its ideas could have been explored further, especially the villagers’ attitudes toward the couple. Even so, the film gives viewers plenty to think about without losing focus on the relationship.

Wicker will likely divide audiences with its unusual romance and bold humor. But for viewers willing to accept its strange world, it offers a moving story about finding affection after becoming used to being overlooked.