Independent studio Black Bear has announced that its upcoming romantic fantasy feature Wicker will receive a special, one-night-only 4DX theatrical screening on October 28. This announcement follows strong online fan demand and social media engagement after the film’s official trailer and festival run captured public attention.
Fan Demand Drives Unconventional 4DX Theatrical Release
While the immersive 4DX format is usually reserved for action blockbusters and horror movies, Wicker breaks the mold. The screening will feature motion-based seating synchronized with more than 21 environmental effects, including wind, water, vibration, snow, lightning, and specialized scents.
David Spitz, head of U.S. theatrical distribution for Black Bear, noted that viewer enthusiasm surged almost immediately after the film’s initial preview footage debuted.
“From the moment the trailer landed, audiences understood that Wicker could be something different, and they started asking to experience it in 4DX,” Spitz said in a statement. “What’s particularly exciting is seeing this wholly original film connect with audiences who might not ordinarily see themselves in the audience for a film like this. 4DX gives us a chance to lean into everything that makes it special, while giving audiences exactly what they asked for.”
What Is Wicker About?
Directed by Eleanor Wilson and Alex Huston Fischer, Wicker is based on Ursula Wills’ short story The Wicker Husband. The narrative functions as an unconventional comedic fable that explores love, marriage, and strict social conventions within a tight-knit village.
The stellar ensemble cast features Academy Award winner Olivia Colman as an ostracized fisherwoman who commissions a wicker husband from a local basketmaker, played by Peter Dinklage. When she unexpectedly falls for the handcrafted creation-brought to life by Alexander Skarsgård-her romance sparks deep jealousy and threatens the social order of her community. The film also stars Elizabeth Debicki.
The production features top-tier creative talent behind the camera, including Academy Award-winning cinematographer Lol Crawley (The Brutalist) and production designer Renátó Cseh (Poor Things). Wicker originally premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, where it received enthusiastic reviews and a double standing ovation.
Directors and Partners React to the Multisensory Event
Paul Kim, Chief Operating Officer of CJ 4DPLEX, highlighted how the film’s eccentric narrative provides a unique playground for environmental storytelling technology.
“Wicker is exactly the kind of bold, imaginative film that demonstrates what 4DX can bring to theatrical storytelling,” Kim noted. “Its wonderfully unconventional world gives us an opportunity to use motion and environmental effects in unexpected ways, creating an experience that draws audiences deeper into the story.”
For co-directors Wilson and Huston Fischer, the transition of their whimsical romance into a multi-sensory ride format initially felt unbelievable.
“We thought this was a joke,” Fischer admitted, while Wilson added that experiencing the film with motion seats made the comedy even sharper. “Now it’s real. And it’s spectacular.”
Theatrical Release Schedule
Wicker is scheduled to land in standard theaters nationwide on October 23, giving moviegoers a few days to view the original story before the specialized 4DX event hits screens on October 28. Tickets for the one-night-only sensory screening are available through major participating theater chains.
The release marks another milestone for Black Bear’s expanding U.S. theatrical slate, following the launch of its domestic distribution arm in July 2025. Other upcoming titles from the independent studio include Guy Ritchie’s Wife & Dog starring Benedict Cumberbatch, David Leitch’s Statham Stole My Bike, and the Renée Zellweger vehicle A Woman in the Sun.
