Few stories can juggle breathtaking spectacle and profound questions with the ease of Wicked, the long-awaited adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical. Directed by Jon M. Chu, the movie stars pop sensation Ariana Grande as Glinda (or GA-linda, if you want to say it correctly) and powerhouse vocalist Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, delivering performances that are as shining as the film’s emerald-drenched landscapes. But while the visuals and music will leave you awestruck, it’s the deeper spiritual themes that make Wicked truly unforgettable.
At its heart, Wicked asks a vital question: Is wickedness something we’re born with, or is it shaped by the world around us? It’s a timeless dilemma that feels more urgent than ever in a culture quick to villainize. Through its nuanced characters and gripping storyline, the film pushes us to wrestle with our own biases and recognize the transformative power of love, empathy and kindness.
That is to say, don’t let the music or visuals distract you from the moral complexity of the story. That defining question is what gives it staying power. The film asks us to reconsider what it means to be “good” or “wicked,” reminding us that these labels often reflect societal biases more than moral truths.
Elphaba’s journey is a powerful exploration of how love — or its lack thereof — can shape our actions. Ostracized and misunderstood, she refuses to let bitterness define her, choosing compassion even when the world refuses to offer her the same. Glinda, by contrast, wrestles with the weight of her privilege, realizing that surface-level kindness isn’t truly enough to counteract deeper injustices.
Eventually, the characters’ journeys collide into a lesson about love: how it isn’t just a feeling, but a transformational force. True kindness and empathy have the power to break cycles of pain and misunderstanding, a reminder we could all use in a world too often ruled by self-interest.
What makes Wicked particularly compelling is its refusal to present tidy resolutions. Instead, it forces viewers to confront their own assumptions about morality, forgiveness and even the complexity of human relationships — and that’s not just because this is only the first part of the story. Rather, the film doesn’t hand us easy answers but invites us to wrestle with the deeper truths it illuminates.
Of course, the message only comes through thanks to the anchoring of its co-leads, Grande and Erivo. Grande’s Glinda is both effervescent and charming, showcasing the pop star’s signature vocal prowess. But she also surprises with moments of vulnerability and inner conflict as her character grapples with privilege and ambition. It’s a performance that reveals a side of Grande we’ve rarely seen.
Erivo’s Elphaba, meanwhile, is the emotional anchor of the story. Erivo delivers a raw, heartfelt performance that makes Elphaba’s transformation from misunderstood outsider to resilient heroine deeply compelling. Her rendition of “Defying Gravity” is as thrilling as fans of the musical could hope, but her quieter, introspective moments — full of longing and courage — are equally captivating. Together, Grande and Erivo create a dynamic that is both tender and electric, embodying the film’s core tension between light and shadow.
With standout performances by Grande and Erivo and a story that lingers long after the final note, Wicked is a rare gem: a blockbuster with both heart and soul. It’ll leave you awestruck, inspired, and maybe even a little kinder. And isn’t that what we all need?
