Wicked
Wicked
Elphaba, a young woman ridiculed for her green skin, and Galinda, a popular girl, become friends at Shiz University in the Land of Oz. After an encounter with the Wonderful Wizard of Oz, their friendship reaches a crossroads.
Spoons reviewedJanuary 1, 2025
Wicked (2024) is a grand, unapologetic return to the kind of classic big-budget musicals that Hollywood rarely gets right anymore. From its lush set design to its heartfelt performances, it’s a film that knows exactly what it wants to be—a larger-than-life spectacle with genuine emotional depth. Expanding on the stage production’s story, the film takes its time to explore the relationships and themes in greater detail, adding new layers without ever feeling bloated or losing its charm.
Ariana Grande shines as Glinda in a way that feels inevitable, like she was always meant for this role. Her comedic timing is razor-sharp, her vocals are dazzling, and she manages to bring a warmth and humor to Glinda that makes the character undeniably hers. Her chemistry with Cynthia Erivo is electric, and their duets are nothing short of spine-tingling. Every musical number is a showstopper, blending the magic of the stage with the possibilities of cinema.
Despite all the noise surrounding the film’s pre-release controversies, Wicked rises above it all. The pretentiousness some feared is nowhere to be found—instead, this is a film with heart, humor, and an infectious joy. It knows when to dazzle and when to pull back for the quieter, more emotional beats, making it far more balanced than you might expect.
For fans of the stage production or just lovers of musicals done right, Wicked delivers. It’s a celebration of the genre, steeped in nostalgia but still modern enough to feel fresh. This film will be popular with people who enjoy The Greatest Showman, Les Misérables, or classic musical spectacles like The Wizard of Oz.