WickedHailed as a 'Masterpiece' in Glowing First Reactions: 'You Will Be Gagged Beyond Belief'

Mar. 15, 2025

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo in “Wicked”.Photo:Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures

Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures

Wickedis defying gravity on the big screen, and the first reactions from early screenings are in.

The movie musical starringCynthia ErivoandAriana Grandeas Elphaba and Glinda, respectively, is the first of directorJon M. Chu’s two adaptations of the Broadway hit. Both stars received praise for their depiction of Oz’s witchiest heroines.

IndieWire’s Erin Streckerwroteon X, “Happy to confirm WICKED is the best musical-to-movie adaptation since CHICAGO and MAMMA MIA. Ariana Grande….is perfection!?”

Katcy Stephan ofVarietycalled the film a “masterpiece” andaddedthat Grande, 31, “milks every moment with gusto, humor and hair flips” as Glinda. She wrote that she “can see why it needed to be 2 parts! Well worth the 20-year wait.”

Variety’s senior awards editor Clayton Daviswroteon X that pop-star Grande “was born to play” Glinda, saying it’s “perfectly suited and genuinely a hilarious, scene-stealing performance.” Erivo, 37, and her “heavenly vocals,” meanwhile, “allow her to make Elphaba her own,” Davis added.

Entertainment journalist Scott Menzelwroteon X thatWickedis “hands down one of the year’s best films” and the two lead actresses “completely knock it out of the park.”

Universal Pictures

The Wrap’s Drew Taylorwrotethat “overall I liked it a lot and can’t wait” for the second part, however, the film “also falls into some of the traps of the Disney live-action remakes that diminishes its power — overlong, noisy, over-designed.” Still, Taylor calledWicked"solid" and “occasionally quite moving (both leads are amazing).”

As Chris Murphy fromVanity Fairput it,Wickedis a “complete and utter slay” and “you will be gagged beyond belief … Cynthia and Ari truly are impeccable.”

The cast also includesJonathan Baileyas Fiyero,Jeff Goldblumas the Wizard, Marissa Bode as Nessarose,Bowen Yangas Pfannee,Keala Settleas Miss Coddle,Ethan Slateras Boq,Peter Dinklageas Dr. Dillamond andMichelle Yeohas Madame Morrible.

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Wicked: Part Oneis in theaters Nov. 22.Part Twois slated for Nov. 26, 2025.

source: people.com