“Wicked” has been one of Hollywood’s most anticipated adaptations since plans for a movie were announced in 2012. To put that into perspective: if I’d started practicing “Defying Gravity” back then, I might actually be able to hit the notes by now.
I first discovered the musical in 2016 as a preteen, and it quickly became one of my all-time favorites. Since then, I’ve seen the stage version multiple times and spent countless hours listening to the soundtrack.
“Wicked” carries the same weight for many viewers, whether they’ve been fans since its Broadway debut in 2003 or discovered it more recently. Now that “Wicked” has finally made the leap from the stage to film, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
When I first heard about the casting of pop star Ariana Grande, I’ll admit — I thought they’d already messed it up. Thankfully, I was wrong, as Grande delivers a stellar performance from start to finish.
We first see her prowess as Glinda in the opening track “No One Mourns the Wicked.” Grande perfectly captures Glinda’s polished, bubbly exterior while revealing subtle cracks that hint at her conflicting sense of their world.
While Grande is known for her impressions, it’s clear that she is not simply trying to replicate Kristin Chenoweth’s original portrayal of Glinda. Instead, she brings her own nuance and flair to the character while deepening Glinda’s complexity by further exploring her complicity.
On the other side of the green and pink coin, Cynthia Erivo takes on the role of Elphaba, with a commanding presence that immediately sets her apart. Known for her powerhouse vocals, Erivo dives headfirst into the character, embracing Elphaba’s quiet vulnerability and determination.
Erivo shines in Elphaba’s closest personal moments, most notably “The Wizard and I” and “I’m Not That Girl.” Erivo’s Elphaba feels different in a way I’ve never seen before — less confrontational than most portrayals, with more emphasis on her introspection and deep sense of longing.
Erivo’s choice to show more restraint throughout the film makes the climactic “Defying Gravity” all the more impactful. However, the impact of her performance is undercut by the overly drawn-out final scene.
In this adaptation, “Defying Gravity” includes far more interludes of dialogue than the stage version, giving it an almost Marvel-style action sequence feel. While the added context works well in other parts of the movie, it drags heavily here, especially after the previous two and a half hours of runtime.
Regardless, Grande and Erivo complement each other perfectly, bringing distinct and authentic energies to both Glinda and Elphaba. Their chemistry shines in the scenes where they clash, and even more so in moments where their friendship develops.
Their performances, while brilliant, felt weighed down by the heavy CGI appearance of the film. Despite the presence of physical sets, the backdrops felt far too artificial for the heavy lifting the crew did to build the world of Oz.
I also felt disappointed in the appearance of the animals, though I’m not sure what exactly the solution to that would be. It seems to suffer the same issue as “Cats” (2020) — a production that works beautifully on stage with its extravagant makeup and costumes but struggles to effectively translate to realistic CGI.
Something I am beyond thankful for was “Wicked’s” unapologetic existence as a musical. Unlike recent adaptations, such as “Mean Girls” (2023), which seemed hesitant to advertise their musical nature, “Wicked” proudly leans into its theatrical roots.
In the end, “Wicked” delivered a faithful adaptation of the beloved musical, showcasing spectacular performances from the two leading women.
“Wicked: Part Two” will hit theaters next year, on Nov. 21, 2025.
Rating: 4/5 stars
