4DX screenings are usually associated with action films, using moving seats, wind and water effects to make chases and battles more immersive. But Wicker, a medieval romance starring Olivia Colman and Alexander Skarsgård, became an unexpected fit for the format thanks to its outlandish bedroom scene.
The film follows Colman’s Fisherwoman, who is given a husband made of wicker, played by Skarsgård. After its Sundance debut in January, the small-budget, unconventional love story attracted attention from curious moviegoers. Its promise of a bed-breaking consummation scene also inspired viewers to suggest that the film would suit 4DX.
Distributor Black Bear embraced the idea with 60 special screenings billed as one-night events. Demand was strong: the Times Square screening described in the original report was sold out, and the distributor extended the event to a full week.
For much of the film, the 4DX effects were relatively restrained, with gentle seat movements and occasional water. The experience changed during the couple’s bedroom scene, when the moving seats jolted along with the action. The audience responded with laughter and screams, turning the sequence into the screening’s main attraction.
The event demonstrated how 4DX could be used beyond action films, though much of Wicker takes place away from the bedroom. Its unusual combination of romance, comedy and motion effects has prompted speculation about whether other erotic films might receive similar screenings.
Sources: The Guardian Film.