Pop Commentary

The most hyped movie of the year is finally here and it delivers in a spectacular way! “Wicked” had me smiling from start to finish.

It seems impossible for someone to be unaware of the film considering its massive marketing campaign that started with the release of its first trailer during Super Bowl LVIII, but even if you’ve somehow managed to avoid the ads, the plot may seem familiar.

“Wicked” is based on the musical stage play of the same name, which tells the story of the witches of Oz who were introduced to moviegoers in 1939’s “The Wizard of Oz.” Cynthia Erivo plays Elphaba, a young woman misunderstood because of her green skin who has yet to discover her true power, and Ariana Grande stars as Glinda, a popular young woman gilded by privilege who has yet to discover her true heart. The film follows the characters as they meet and form a friendship at Shiz University before they reach a crossroads that takes them down very different paths, later becoming known as “The Wicked Witch of the West” and “Glinda the Good,” respectively. The main question of the movie is, “Are people born wicked or did they have wickedness thrust upon them?”

I went into the movie familiar with the musical, having seen and enjoyed the touring production earlier in the year, so I had high expectations and they were met! The performances by Erivo and Grande were spectacular and they had great chemistry. However, one stuck out more for me than the other. Erivo’s powerhouse singing elevated Elphaba’s on-screen debut, but I didn’t end up resonating and empathizing with her as much as I thought I would. Glinda, though, she was the star of the show for me. Grande’s every move was captivating. She had so many great comedic moments throughout and her pop-star talents lent extremely well to Glinda’s upbeat numbers, especially the song “Popular.” If there’s one reason to see this movie, her performance is it.

Much has been said about director Jon M. Chu’s cinematography choices for the film. Some have said that the colors are too washed out, but I didn’t come away with that opinion. I thought the colors and production design of Oz were great, especially the Munchkinland and the Emerald City. He really brought those to life in a unique way.

Another criticism I’ve heard is about the musical being split into two parts. I’m usually not a fan of this myself, as it seems like a money-grab for studios. The “Dune” and “Across the Spider-Verse” films were especially egregious, but I’m actually okay with it when it comes to “Wicked.” I think there’s enough of a story arc in part one for it to be split up. I didn’t walk away from the film feeling like I just watched an unfinished story. It wrapped up in a satisfying way, while also getting me excited for part two, which is set to be released on Nov. 21, 2025. 

Overall, I’d highly suggest going to see “Wicked,” even if you’re not usually into musicals. I don’t consider myself a musical person, but this is one of the best stage adaptations I’ve seen. If you enjoyed last year’s “Barbie,” I think you’ll enjoy this movie.

It’s worth the watch!