Wicker expands 4DX screenings at Regal Cinemas after sold-out debut
Sold-Out Screenings Force Theatrical Expansion
The medieval romance film Wicker, starring Olivia Colman as a fisherwoman and Alexander Skarsgård as a wicker-man husband, sold out its initial one-night-only 4DX screenings at Regal Cinemas in Times Square and expanded to a full week-long run.
Directed by Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson, the project arrived with a relatively small budget of $10.5m following its Sundance debut in January. Black Bear distributed the film, after the Sydney Sweeney vehicle Christy bombed the previous year. While trailers featured bed-breaking scenes between Colman’s character and her woven partner, the film opened fifth in the North American box office.
Unconventional Pairing of Romance and 4DX
The unusual pairing of an off-kilter love story with 4DX—a format typically reserved for high-speed action features like Fast and Furious or Avatar battle sequences—generated significant social media buzz. Following sold-out crowds chanting “we want the wick!” at special screenings, Black Bear extended the event from a single night to a full theatrical week.
Wicker Uses Minimal Motion Until Intense Seat-Tossing Scene
Unlike standard action releases that utilize continuous motion, Wicker offered minimal seat movement for much of its runtime as characters walked through village scenes. Viewers experienced sporadic effects including door knocks, floating sensations down a river, and a water spray during an early scene involving a chamberpot.
However, the post-marriage consummation scene featuring Skarsgård and Colman delivered intense seat-tossing action that prompted loud audience reactions comparable to a Taylor Swift concert.
Future Prospects for Unconventional Film Formats
The success of these special screenings raised questions regarding whether erotic films or other unconventional genres might adopt the large premium format in the future.
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