Is Wicker Park Worth Watching?
Answer: Yes, Wicker Park is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies.
It features a runtime of 115 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.
Wicker Park Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 2004, Wicker Park emerges as a significant entry in the Drama, Mystery, Romance, Thriller domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of Matthew, a young advertising executive in Chicago, puts his life and a business trip to China on hold when he thinks he sees Lisa, the love of his life who left him without a word two years earlier, walking out of a restaurant one day. Unlike standard genre fare, Wicker Park attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and Wicker Park features a noteworthy lineup led by Josh Hartnett . Supported by the likes of Rose Byrne and Matthew Lillard , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Wicker Park (2004) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.8/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Wicker Park Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: Wicker Park is a Drama, Mystery, Romance, Thriller film that explores complex human emotions and relationships through nuanced character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
This character-driven narrative explores the internal and external conflicts that define the human experience. Matthew, a young advertising executive in Chicago, puts his life and a business trip to China on hold when he thinks he sees Lisa, the love of his life who left him without a word two years earlier, walking out of a restaurant one day. The screenplay takes time to develop its characters, allowing audiences to connect emotionally with their struggles and triumphs. Each scene builds upon the last, creating a cumulative emotional impact.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: We meet the main character in their ordinary world, establishing the emotional baseline before the inciting incident disrupts their life.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. The arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The emotional climax brings character arcs to their natural conclusion, providing catharsis while staying true to the story's themes.
Wicker Park Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: Wicker Park concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to drama resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Wicker Park reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Wicker Park?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
Wicker Park Box Office Collection
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $30.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $13.0M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Wicker Park Budget
The estimated production budget for Wicker Park is $30.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
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Full Cast & Crew of Wicker Park
- Josh Hartnett – Matthew
- Rose Byrne – Alex
- Matthew Lillard – Luke
- Diane Kruger – Lisa
- Christopher Cousins – Daniel
Top Highlights
Josh HartnettMatthew
Rose ByrneAlex
Matthew LillardLuke
Diane KrugerLisa
Christopher CousinsDaniel
Jessica ParéRebecca
Vlasta VranaJeweller
Amy SobolEllie
Ted WhittallWalter
Isabel Dos SantosChamber Maid
Where to Watch Wicker Park Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
Amazon Prime Video
MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel
MGM Plus
Amazon Prime Video with Ads🎟️ Rent on
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At Home🏷️ Buy on
Amazon VideoApple TVGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeFandango At HomeParents Guide & Age Rating
Wicker Park is rated PG-13. Parents should be aware that it contains mature themes, violence, romantic content. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 6.8/10, and global collection metrics, Wicker Park stands as a successful venture for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2004 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wicker Park movie hit or flop?
Wicker Park has received mixed reviews with a 6.8/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is Wicker Park worth watching?
Wicker Park is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Drama, Mystery, Romance movies, but read reviews first.
Where can I watch Wicker Park online?
Wicker Park is currently available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video. You can also check for it on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus, Amazon Prime Video with Ads depending on your region.
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Critic Reviews for Wicker Park
A clever and sexy non-linear love-story / love-triangle that definitely has to be viewed twice in order to understand the correct linear sequence of events. The women will love Josh Hartnett and the men will love both Diane Kruger and Rose Byrne. Personally, Diane Kruger makes this movie for me, and her beauty and sex appeal is off the charts. It's a fun movie that just wouldn't be possible if they all had cellphones, but try not to think about it! Don't forget to watch it twice. The 2nd time will be the "ahh ha" moment for you, trust me.
movieMx Verified
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
