Directed by: Jon M. Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh
Release Date: November 2024

After nearly two decades of anticipation, Wicked, the cinematic adaptation of Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman’s blockbuster Broadway musical, has finally arrived. Directed by Jon M. Chu (known for Crazy Rich Asians and In the Heights), the film promises to bring the beloved tale of friendship, magic, and ambition to a global audience. With the weight of fan expectations and the grandeur of the source material, Wicked was always going to be a difficult project to execute. But does it succeed in capturing the magic of the stage version, or does it stumble under its own weight?

Based on Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, the musical reimagines The Wizard of Oz through the eyes of Elphaba (the “Wicked Witch”) and Glinda (the “Good Witch”), two young women whose friendship and rivalry shape the fate of Oz. The story focuses on themes of friendship, identity, and the consequences of power, exploring the ways in which perception can often be more important than reality.

The plot remains largely the same in the 2024 film adaptation, with some notable updates. We follow the dynamic between Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), an intelligent, misunderstood green-skinned girl with magical powers, and Glinda (Ariana Grande), a popular and charismatic student at Shiz University. While the two initially clash, their shared experiences of love, loss, and ambition forge a bond that will ultimately be tested by the politics and dangers of Oz. The story moves toward its inevitable conclusion, with the iconic showdown between the two witches, the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum), and the repressive forces threatening to tear Oz apart.

“I absolutely loved this movie!” says Samantha Garcia. “From the incredible acting to the singing in mid-air, it was so good.”

The casting of Wicked has been the subject of much discussion since it was first announced. Ariana Grande, a pop sensation known for her powerful vocals, steps into the role of Glinda, while Tony Award-winner Cynthia Erivo portrays Elphaba. Both are formidable talents, but the question on everyone’s mind has been whether they could bring something new to these iconic roles while living up to the legacy of their predecessors (Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, respectively).

“I definitely think the casting for this movie was spot on, Cythnia Erivo and Ariana Grande did so well portraying the roles as Elphaba and Glinda so beautifully,” says Garcia. “I was so moved by their incredible voices and felt empowered by the film.”

Grande’s casting was met with mixed reactions, with some skeptical of whether her pop star persona could truly embody the complexity of Glinda’s character. While her performance is technically flawless—her vocal control is impressive, and her portrayal of Glinda’s quirky charm shines—there are moments when Glinda feels more like a performance than a fully realized character. 

Grande excels in the character’s comedic moments, particularly in “Popular,” but at times, her portrayal struggles to capture Glinda’s deeper vulnerabilities, especially in the more emotional scenes. Still, her undeniable star power adds an undeniable sparkle to the role.

“Although I have always loved the original musical, and the power in Kristin Chenoweth’s voice, I do think Arianna Grande did an amazing job at her performance,” says Belle Alcasid. “I didn’t think I would be able to forget about Arianna’s pop persona, and just see Glinda.”

Erivo, on the other hand, is a revelation as Elphaba. She brings a rich emotional depth to the role, imbuing Elphaba with a sense of yearning, defiance, and humanity. Her performance of “Defying Gravity” is every bit as soaring and powerful as one could hope, but it’s in the quieter, more vulnerable moments—like her scenes with Glinda and her struggle with isolation—where Erivo’s true talent shines. Her portrayal of Elphaba is more than just a vocal showcase; it’s a nuanced exploration of a character who grapples with her sense of identity and moral conviction in a world that rejects her.

 Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard brings his signature quirkiness to the role, although his performance occasionally feels underdeveloped, lacking the gravitas that could have made his character more menacing. Michelle Yeoh’s portrayal of Madame Morrible is suitably sly and commanding, though her character doesn’t carry the same emotional weight as some of the others. The supporting cast, including Ethan Slater as Boq and Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, are well-cast but unfortunately, some characters feel underused. For example, Boq’s role is truncated, and the romance between Fiyero and Elphaba, a key element of the original musical, feels a bit rushed in this version.

The music of Wicked is undoubtedly one of its greatest strengths, and the film largely does justice to its iconic score. Stephen Schwartz’s songs—like the soaring “Defying Gravity,” and the playful “Popular”—are as memorable as ever. Grande and Erivo’s vocal performances are impressive, and they manage to bring new emotional nuance to some of the musical’s most iconic moments.

That said, the choreography and staging of the musical numbers sometimes feel constrained by the movie’s visual style. The large, sweeping set pieces that work so well on stage can feel less dynamic when confined to the confines of a green screen or CGI background. As a result, some of the choreography—particularly in numbers like “Dancing Through Life”—feels a little flat.

“My favorite performance had to be Jonathan Bailey’s ‘Dancing Through Life,’ says Alfredo Lopez. “He brought life into his character, Fiyero, and added emotions and spunk that couldn’t be seen in the musical.”

One of the biggest challenges of adapting Wicked for the big screen is translating the energy of a Broadway musical into a more cinematic, nuanced experience. The film’s pacing is uneven, with moments of breathtaking spectacle giving way to slower, more introspective sequences. While this can work in a theatrical context, in a film, it sometimes feels jarring. Certain subplots, like the romance between Elphaba and Fiyero, are glossed over, and the overall narrative rhythm suffers because of it.

The tone also fluctuates throughout the movie. At times, it feels like a heartfelt exploration of friendship and betrayal; at others, it leans too heavily into fantasy and spectacle. The film often feels caught between being a straightforward musical and a grand fantasy epic, and while it manages to capture the spirit of Wicked, it sometimes feels like it’s trying to do too much at once.

Wicked (2024) is undoubtedly a visual and musical spectacle, packed with strong performances, particularly from Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. The film brings much of the magic of the stage production to the screen, but it sometimes sacrifices the intimacy and emotional depth that made the original musical so beloved. The film’s reliance on CGI, while visually impressive, occasionally detracts from the emotional stakes of the story. Still, for fans of the musical, this film will likely feel like a triumphant return to Oz, even if it isn’t quite the perfect adaptation they might have hoped for.

“I definitely recommend others to see this movie if you love comedies, musicalsm and light-hearted films,” says Garcia. “I truly think it’s a perfect movie for everyone to go watch with family and friends.”

Wicked is a bold and ambitious film that, for all its dazzling visuals and stellar performances, occasionally loses sight of the subtle, human moments that made the stage production so powerful. While it may not be a flawless masterpiece, it is still a captivating, often moving, and ultimately unforgettable experience—one that will likely have audiences cheering for more, especially when the second part hits theaters.