Quartile rating: 7.5/10 · 3 ratings
In the land of Oz, ostracized and misunderstood green-skinned Elphaba is forced to share a room with the popular aristocrat Glinda at Shiz University, and the two's unlikely friendship is tested as they begin to fulfill their respective destinies as Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.
Wicked (2024) is a lavish adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical, directed by Jon M. Chu. The acting is a standout, with Cynthia Erivo delivering a powerhouse, emotionally nuanced performance as Elphaba and Ariana Grande bringing surprising depth and comedic timing to Glinda — both earn the film a 4 in Acting. Cinematography is equally impressive, with Chu and his team crafting visually stunning, grand-scale sequences (especially 'The Wizard and I' and the Shiz arrival) that feel cinematic rather than merely staged — a genuine 4. The plot follows the musical's first act faithfully, which is well-structured but familiar to millions; it earns a solid 3. Novelty is tricky: as a prestige film adaptation of one of the most famous musicals of the past 25 years, the material itself is widely known, though the cinematic execution adds a fresh visual dimension — a 3 feels fair. The ending is the film's biggest weakness, as the decision to split the story mid-act (ending on 'Defying Gravity') leaves the narrative feeling deliberately incomplete, frustrating audiences unfamiliar with or expecting resolution, earning it a 2.