Wicked, released November 22nd, 2024, is an adaptation of the 2003 musical and brainstormed prequel to The Wizard of Oz. It is told from the perspective of the Wicked Witch of the West, Elphaba, and her hardships throughout her young life.
Elphaba was judged anywhere she went because of her green skin tone, which seemed to be a representation of racism in the real world. She was also judged because of her unique abilities. Elphaba was sometimes seen as dangerous because she often couldn’t control her powers, which ended up paying off later in the film.
While entirely fantasized, this film still teaches a lesson about real-world values: to stand up against injustice and make a difference. This message is shown later in the movie, setting up the plot for part two of the musical, which is set to release on November 21st, 2025.
Wicked, starring Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda, is sixth in the top ten of the highest-grossing movies of 2024 and has already grossed over $635 million since its release. Its creation cost around $145 million with detailed graphics and set design.
This film is filled with memorable singing performances and heartfelt moments, one of the most important being when Glinda and Elphaba initially become friends through an interpretive dance. This part of the film, although confusing at first, is important because it represents Elphaba and Glinda making up for each other’s cruelty. They then bond through this dance, setting the rest of the film up for Elphaba’s journey to Oz.
Many interviews featuring the actors have also gained popularity on social media. They are considered “silly” because both Erivo and Grande frequently cry as a result of their deep connection with each other and the movie. Many memes have been made over this, humorously mocking the actors.
Since the movie came out, many incidents have transpired online, the most relevant being the poster situation. Recently, a TikTok video was posted showing one of the premiere posters for the movie being edited, the goal being to make it look more like the 2003 musical’s version of the poster. In doing so, this version covers much of Erivo’s face, with little edits to Grande’s. Erivo claims that it was offensive and an attempt to “erase” her.
Erivo has faced hate for these statements, and many believe she is being dramatic.
Nonetheless, the controversy doesn’t end there. Many people also find the movie very lengthy, with a runtime of two hours and 40 minutes for just part one, roughly the same as the entire Broadway musical. This means the story feels incredibly slow, which is unbearable for some. However, it could be argued that this is compensated for by the brilliantly talented singing, especially by Erivo.
Although long, Wicked never has a dull moment, thanks to the brilliant visual effects and powerful voice of Cynthia Erivo. The movie also conveys a message that we can implement into our lives: do not tolerate injustice. This powerful message resonates with the viewer even after exiting the theatre and serves as a reminder that there is still hate in the world, and we should do more to fight it.
