Wicked is fanciful, even exaggerated, with an outlandish visual splendor that remains grounded thanks to a cast that understood the assignment.
Based on the famous Broadway play, Wicked gives the Wicked Witch of the West an origin story—one now brought to wondrous life on the silver screen. With the current social and political climate, the movie is worth plenty of analysis and deep dives. But what makes a person wicked is at the heart of the film—the evolution from hero to antihero to villain. This film comes at a fateful time in our society, where more people say up is down. Wicked is fanciful, even exaggerated, with an outlandish visual splendor that remains grounded thanks to a cast that understood the assignment.
Directed by Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians, In The Heights), the film—like the play—follows Elphaba, portrayed by Cynthia Erivo (Harriet, Bad Times at the El Royale), a green witch who enters Shiz University in the Land of Oz and meets Galinda, performed by Ariana Grande (Don’t Look Up). Their friendship reaches a turning point when they meet the Wizard of Oz. But they do not start as friends. On the contrary, they cannot stand each other.
Wicked Delves Into Topical Issues
The most impactful stories are the ones that, while fanciful and different from our own, convey a range of familiar emotions and situations. Wicked might have Munchkinland and magic and talking animals, but its heart lies in how its society mirrors our own. Rounding up a group because they are different and benefit one’s own, bullying based on one’s appearance all feel recognizable upon reflection.
That’s what makes stories compelling. Whether they are visually arresting celluloid, words reaching out to us from the pages of a book, or a song that feels written just for us, they connect. Wicked explores it all thanks to its cast. The film elicits strong emotions from laughter to pained discomfort as Elphaba and Glinda grow close and then move apart.
Cast Delivers Range and Fun
Unsurprisingly, Cynthia Erivo delivers the emotions necessary to flesh out Elphaba. From the moments where she pretends indifference despite the hurt present in her eyes to the tiny facial twitches to convey annoyance or irritation, Cynthia Erivo is impressive. Ariana Grande plays opposite her shutdown character, constantly exuding confidence and narcissistic conceit. Yet, Ariana Grande also adds emotions past the shallowness once she and Elphaba become friends. Not to mention, her exaggerated hair flips are so ludicrous you have to laugh. Both Erivo and Grande do lovely work with the songs as well. However, in the latter’s case, some songs lacked enunciation, making it difficult to understand what Grande was singing.
Two other standouts from the cast are Michelle Yeoh (Everything Everywhere All at Once, Crazy Rich Asians) and Madame Morrible. Switch the ‘M’ in the last name with an ‘H’ as the film progresses. She has a quiet, subdued attitude that hides something more sinister underneath. Jonathan Bailey (Bridgerton, Crashing) as Fiyero is genius casting. He has fun with the role, making it comical and contagious fun for the audience.
Peter Dinklage (The Hunger Games: A Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, Game of Thrones), as the voice of Dr. Dillamond, is excellent, too, and makes your heart break for what happens. Marissa Bode is sensational as Elphaba’s sister, Nessarose, fighting for independence as folks try to coddle her because she is in a wheelchair.
A Film Worth The Price of Admission
Visually, Wicked is a wonder. The colors are bright and cheerful, yet without the bells and whistles, it’s hard to see a difference between this fantasy world and the real one. That’s why it reels viewers in. It checks the boxes visually and emotionally. There’s so much to explore in the film, such as the dangers of passivity in the face of witnessing something you know is wrong. Wicked is a must-watch and a rewatch, merging essential life lessons about acceptance, equality, and justice with glittering, song-and-dance-filled, colorful fun. I cannot wait for what’s to come!
