Whether we’re in Munchkinland, the Emerald City, or the campus of Shiz University, Wicked, directed by Jon Chu, features a spectacle of large, showy musical numbers and performances that leave audiences on the edge of their seats.
Every moment of this two-hour, 40-minute adventure is as engaging as it is entertaining, and it’s only part one. Wicked ends where the intermission occurs in the stage production, with part two set to hit theaters in November 2025.
First debuted on Broadway in June 2003, Wicked was originally adapted from Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. The story is based on L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and the 1939 film adaptation starring Judy Garland.
The screen adaptation centers viewers in the magical world of Oz, beginning with Glinda (played by Ariana Grande) descending into Munchkinland to inform her ever-loving fans that the rumors are true: the Wicked Witch of the West is dead. The film then flashes back to when Glinda and Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) were a pair of unlikely allies. As a child, Elphaba (the wicked witch’s real name) had been ostracized since birth due to her green-hued skin, stark opinions, and brilliant mind. Conversely, Glinda is a pampered mean girl in pink with a love for beautiful things.
After Elphaba and Glinda are forced to room together at Shiz University, they realize, with surprise, that they share more than what first meets the eye. The connection between them drives the film, clasping hold of viewers’ emotions through to the very last frame.
Following in the footsteps of Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, the two stars who originally played Elphaba and Glinda on Broadway, Erivo and Grande respectfully pay both characters justice. Erivo’s performance carries this film, as her depiction of Elphaba’s sadness to her final moment of defiance is truly unforgettable. While she has an enthralling voice, there is a directness about Erivo’s screen presence that immediately engages the audience. Likewise, from her ridiculous hair-flopping to her self-obsessed personality, Grande nails the character of Glinda. Flickering from a vapid exterior to a more empathetic side she keeps hidden, Glinda’s character brings depth to an already remarkable film.
While Wicked the film is slightly different from the stage version, the changes feel necessary as they were done to expand the universe, the characters, and the central conflict. With a runtime of nearly three hours, the film pays homage to its predecessor, maintaining allure within the witty humor and glitzy musical numbers.
The beauty of the film lies within the underlying message that it’s okay, even good, to be different. The film depicts two girls from different worlds as they progress through a journey of self-discovery. While they may hate each other at first, they learn to love each other through similar values.
Without spoiling any critical plots points, suffice it to say that the story doesn’t end happily ever after. It ends with trials and tribulations, reflecting on the ugliness of reality. As a whole, Wicked is undeniably moving and a must-watch for all who enjoy a well-told, heartfelt story delivered above an outstanding soundtrack.
