At the London Film Festival's BFI Southbank premiere, Olivia Colman debuted a striking new look of natural grey curls to support her latest film, Wicker. The production, which features Alexander Skarsgard and Peter Dinklage,explores a surreal romance between a fisherwoman and a handcrafted wicker husband.
Colman’s Celine gown and the embrace of natural grey curls
At the BFI Southbank,Olivia Colman made a stylistic statement that transcended the film itself. As reported by the source, the 52-year-old actress traded her signature dark pixie cut for natural grey curls, pairing the look with an elegant Celine gown featuring a dramatic cape. This aesthetic shift, accompanied by her husband Ed Sinclair, suggests a performer increasingly comfortable with both her personal evolution and the unconventional roles she chooses to inhabit.
The red carpet served as a high-fashion showcase for the entire ensemble. While Colman leaned into a more natural, mature elegance, fellow cast member Elizabeth Debicki opted for a bold black suit accented by Chaumet jewelry. These sartorial choices provided a polished backdrop to a film that is anything but traditional.
A basket weaver, a gold suit,and a wicker husband
The film Wicker presents a narrative that is as visually arresting as its premiere. According to the report,the story follows a lonely fisherwoman who commissions a basket weaver, played by Peter Dinklage, to construct a life-like partner out of wicker. Alexander Skarsgard portrays this creation, appearing at the premiere in a bright gold suit from Saint Laurent's 2027 spring/summer collection, complete with transparent Saint Laurent footwear.
The plot, which has generated significant buzz since its July trailer release, centers on the social upheaval caused by the wicker husband's sudden animation. The film's premise—a "vulgar, horny yet unexpectedly heartwarming" tale—has already sparked intense debate following scenes depicting an aggressive, almost animalistic union between the characters. This central conflict threatens the social order of the village where the fisherwoman resides.
Echoes of 'The Shape of Water' in Ursula Wills' inspiration
The cinematic lineage of Wicker places it within a specific tradition of magical realism and dark romance. Critics have already drawn parallels to Guillermo del Toro’s The Shape of Water, noting how the film explores the acceptance of a "monster" love and the depths of human isolation. This surrealist approach is deeply rooted in Ursula Wills' short story, The Wicker Husband, which served as the primary inspiration for the filmmakers.
By blending these high-concept themes with a character-driven plot, the production attempts to navigate the delicate line between art-house experimentation and emotional resonance.. The film seeks to weave a tale about love that exists beyond conventional societal boundaries, using the absurdity of a wicker man to highlight very real human longings.
Will the 'vulgar' tone alienate or captivate audiences?
Despite the star power of Elizabeth Debicki and Peter Dinklage , several questions remain regarding the film's ultimate reception. While Debicki noted that her character, a tailor's wife, serves to critique societal gender expectations, it remains to be seen if the film's "bizarre" and "animalistic" elements will translate into widespread acclaim. can a story centered on a wicker man successfully bridge the gap between niche magical realism and mainstream appeal, or will the sheer absurdity of the premise limit its reach to a specialized audience?
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