Indie distributor Black Bear has extended 4DX screenings of the low-fantasy romance Wicker through November 5 following a surge in ticket demand. The expansion comes after a one-night-only 4DX event on October 28 transformed a social media joke into a raucous, communal theatrical experience for fans of the Olivia Colman and Alexander Skarsgård vehicle.
The 4DX Demand Forces Theater Extensions
What began as a viral punchline—fans asking if the film would be available in 4DX to physically experience the titular “wicker” romance—has manifested as a legitimate box office phenomenon. According to Rolling Stone, the demand for the sensory-heavy format was so intense that theaters extended showings through November 5 to accommodate the crowds.
For many, the drive to see the film was more than just curiosity; it was a mission. New York City resident Robert Belpasso described the ticketing process as a “Ticketmaster war,” noting that showings would populate and then sell out as he was trying to click purchase. The fervor was equally evident in suburban areas, where fans like Leen Dweik considered traveling to New Rochelle but secured seats at a Regal in Times Square to ensure they didn’t miss the chance to see the film in its most immersive form.
The Wicker Experience at a Glance
- The Format: 4DX technology incorporating water, wind, snow, and motion-syncing seats.
- The Catalyst: A viral social media joke regarding the film’s “arborial” intimacy.
- The Result: Extended theatrical run through November 5 due to high ticket velocity.
Audiences Move From Curiosity to Communal Chaos
The film, based on Ursula Wills-Jones’s short story The Wicker Husband, follows a fisherwoman played by Olivia Colman who convinces a basket weaver, played by Peter Dinklage, to construct a husband out of wicker (Alexander Skarsgård). While the premise sounds whimsical, the theatrical experience has proven surprisingly physical. Tia Burkett, who gathered a group of friends in Kansas to catch a screening, noted that the seat movements during the film’s first sex scene felt like being on a roller coaster.
There is also a layer of “boots-on-the-ground journalism” happening within the aisles. Rolling Stone reports that audiences were actively investigating rumors regarding censorship, specifically whether the U.S. version lacked the “full wick” present in European cuts. The investigation yielded results; Belpasso confirmed that “full-frontal wick” was indeed present, though Molly S. clarified it appeared “very tiny—from far away.”
| Metric | Reported Figure |
|---|---|
| Global Box Office Gross | $13 Million |
| Production Budget | $10 Million |
| 4DX Event Launch Date | October 28 |
| Extended Run Deadline | November 5 |
The Economic Shift Toward Immersive Romance
While Wicker‘s $13 million global gross against a $10 million budget marks it as a moderate success for an independent title, its real impact lies in the audience demand that theaters and filmmakers may have underestimated. Historically, 4DX has been the playground of action films, used to simulate car chases or daring stunts. Wicker is proving that there is an appetite for “sensory romance.”
This shift aligns with the broader “romantasy” trend currently top-selling in book sales. As 26-year-old fan Gracie D. observed, the film succeeds because it leans into the “freaky and horny” aspects of the genre without losing its thematic depth. The film uses the highly stylized, wood-based intimacy of Colman and Skarsgård to explore female agency and desire, moving beyond the “two hot people” trope often found in mainstream Hollywood romances.
The cultural resonance of the film suggests that audiences are looking for more than just passive viewing; they are looking for shared, visceral experiences. Whether through the “twigs cracking” sound design or the aggressive motion of a 4DX seat, Wicker has tapped into a desire for cinema that feels as unpredictable and uninhibited as the characters on screen.
