Olivia Colman has won an Academy Award, played Queen Elizabeth II, and spent decades anchoring some of the most respected dramas and dry comedies on British television. Yet none of those projects prepared her for the sheer volume of internet jokes currently circulating about her next project.
The film is called Wicker, an unconventional fantasy romantic comedy that pairs Colman with Swedish actor Alexander Skarsgård. Long before hitting commercial theaters, the title turned into an instant social media sensation, generating hundreds of image macros, punchlines, and puzzled reactions across feeds.
A Red Carpet Surprise in London
Speaking to reporters from the red carpet at the BFI London Film Festival premiere, Colman appeared amused, if slightly bewildered, by the sudden online fascination.
“No, literally this has never happened for anything I’ve done before,” Colman said when asked about the flood of memes. She was quick to pinpoint the likely catalyst behind the buzz: “But you put Alexander Skarsgård in an interesting outfit, and everyone is looking.”
Her observation touches on the heart of the frenzy. Skarsgård, known for intense physical transformations in films like The Northman, plays a character whose physical presence is anything but typical here. The sight of an A-list ensemble leaning completely straight-faced into high-concept eccentricity has provided endless fuel for fans online.
Crafting Love Out of Twigs
Beneath the jokes sits a rather eccentric premise. Set in a remote medieval community, the story follows a lonely, ostracised fisherwoman portrayed by Colman. Outcast and weary of the cruelty of her fellow villagers, she chooses an unusual route to find companionship: she hires a village basketmaker to weave her a brand-new partner completely out of wicker.
Skarsgård portrays the woven creation. It is an idea that could easily veer into outright absurdity or folk horror, evoking memories of cult classics like 1973’s The Wicker Man. Yet the creative team behind Wicker treats the central romance as a genuine, emotionally rich fairy tale, mixing dry humor with an exploration of social isolation and human vulnerability.
That exact tonal balance is what sparked the internet’s obsession. Once the plot synopsis surfaced, social platforms filled with jokes about patio furniture coming to life, debates over how a woven spouse handles wet weather, and affectionate riffs on cinema’s most unusual romantic leads.
The Anatomy of an Accidental Viral Hit
Prestige film marketing rarely predicts which high-concept pitches will capture the online imagination. In the case of Wicker, several distinct elements collided to create the buzz:
- The contrast between Oscar-pedigree actors and an undeniably strange, folklore-inspired storyline.
- Skarsgård’s long-standing willingness to take on bizarre, boundary-pushing screen roles.
- A storyline that sounds like an old folktale but is pitched directly as a romantic comedy rather than a gothic thriller.
- Audiences reacting to original, unformulaic screenwriting in an era crowded by franchise sequels.
For Colman, the film marks another step into idiosyncratic territory. Even as she shifts easily between massive studio releases and intimate character studies, headlining a quirky period romance alongside a woven man remains a singular experience on her resume.
What Lies Ahead for the Theatrical Release
Online mockery can sometimes undermine a picture before it opens, but the chatter around Wicker has leaned heavily into curious affection. Rather than alienating potential ticket buyers, the wave of jokes has introduced an independent production to millions of viewers who might otherwise have missed an offbeat British comedy festival run.
Following its premiere screening in London, the project is scheduled to head into broader theatrical distribution. Whether general audiences respond more to the poignant romance or the sheer strangeness of its wicker premise remains to be seen. If Colman’s reaction is any guide, the cast is happy to take the jokes in stride as long as people show up to watch.