Sundance Crowd Gives Standing Ovation to ‘Wicker’ and “Hot” Star Alexander Skarsgard
The fairy tale Wicker made a huge splash at its world premiere at the Eccles Theater on Saturday, earning two standing ovations, one when the credits rolled and another when the cast and filmmakers took the stage.
The film, based on Ursula Wills-Jones’ book The Wicker Husband, is the latest project from Save Yourselves! writers and directors Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson. It stars Olivia Colman as a lonely village outsider who asks a skilled basketmaker, played by Peter Dinklage, to craft her the perfect husband.
That husband, of course, is Alexander Skarsgård, and audiences at Sundance were quick to agree that he was incredibly hot. Covered in practical prosthetics from the legendary Weta Workshop, Skarsgård’s wicker man had everyone talking. You would not believe you could make Alexander Skarsgård hotter than he is, but yeah. People are gonna have weird dreams, Colman told TheWrap ahead of the premiere.
The hotness of Skarsgård’s character isn’t just for show, it drives the story. His caring personality and impressive looks disrupt the town’s rigid traditions, creating tension while delighting the audience. The film’s playful take on romance echoes the appeal of steamy novels, giving Colman’s character a literal dream man to fall for.
Beyond the heat factor, Wicker dives into real emotional depth, which likely contributed to the standing ovations. Colman herself was visibly moved during the applause, wiping away tears as she took the stage. Alongside The Invite by Olivia Wilde, the Channing Tatum and Gemma Chan-led Josephine, and Danielle Brooks’ If I Go Will They Miss Me, Wicker was one of the standout films of Sundance’s opening weekend.
Olivia Colman is continuing her hot streak in 2026. She also stars in the family drama Jimpa, is returning for the second season of The Night Manager, and is currently filming Elsinore about the final days of actor Ian Charleson, alongside Andrew Scott.
Alexander Skarsgård is equally busy. He also appears in the Charli XCX mockumentary The Moment at Sundance, received praise for his role in Pillion, and will host the 1,000th episode of Saturday Night Live.
The supporting cast of Wicker adds even more star power. Peter Dinklage shines as the talented basketmaker, Elizabeth Debicki plays the jealous Tailor’s Wife, and Richard E. Grant makes a memorable cameo. Critics are already calling the film a crowd-pleaser, blending stunning practical effects with a deeply human story.
Everyone at the premiere seemed to agree that Skarsgård’s wicker man was impossibly hot, and the film’s mix of fairy tale magic and real emotion has fans eagerly anticipating a wider release.
Do you think practical prosthetics make non-human characters more believable and appealing, or is CGI still the way to go? Would you like to see Colman and Skarsgård team up in more romantic roles?
