Raising the Curtain on Wicked the Movie

On 22nd November, the screen adaptation of Wicked opened in cinemas, and I couldn't stay away from the reviews ahead of seeing it. The Telegraph awarded the film two out of five stars, the Guardian awarded four out of five, and Time Magazine blasted it to the extent that celebrities took to Instagram to disagree.

Celebrities disagreed with TIME Magazine's review of Wicked

Wicked is a predecessor of villain origin stories. The stage version (which premiered on Broadway in 2003) is adapted from the 1995 novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, written by Gregory Maguire. The novel itself is a revisionist take on The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (L. Frank Baum, 1900), from which the famous 1939 film featuring Judy Garland as Dorothy Gale is adapted.

Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West is much darker than its musical adaptation – I tried to read it as a teenager after seeing the musical for the first time. I found it tough to get through and ultimately never finished it (although I am considering revisiting it, even if just to feel like I'm armed with insider knowledge of the life and times of Elphaba). Here's something you might like to know: in the novel, Elphaba is described as having sharp teeth.

But you'll see no fangs in the screen adaptation. I had wondered if the movie might draw more from the novel, but it remains faithful to the stage production (the trailers and teasers on social media assured me of that). Ultimately, this is a good thing. Though I don't doubt that sales of the novel will see an increase.

Wicked has also seen its share of controversy: Cynthia Erivo criticised a fan-edited version of the movie poster in which her witch's hat was lowered, hiding her eyes. She called the edit "deeply hurtful" and "offensive," stating that it erased the emotional connection conveyed through her gaze in the original design. Erivo faced backlash after; critics felt her response was disproportionate, considering the fan edit was meant as a homage to the original Broadway poster. Erivo later reflected on her reaction, describing it as a "human moment".

Toy manufacturer Mattel also accidentally caused a fuss when they printed the link to an adult website on the boxes of its singing Wicked dolls, rather than the link to the movie's website. Controversies aside, I went into my screening of Wicked feeling optimistic.

Grande had to undergo voice training as the songs featured in the musical are different to what she usually sings. And she gets all the points for hitting the notes she hits. I actually think Grande is perfect for the role of Glinda. That she is funny should come as no surprise to viewers, not given her history playing the role of Cat Valentine in Nickelodeon’s Victorious. Grande even made me love Glinda more.

There is also something about the way Erivo inhabits her role – there’s a sincerity and understanding that makes Elphaba real on an emotional level. I found Elphaba and Glinda’s dance scene to be incredibly moving. The point of the dance wasn't to highlight Elphaba’s dance skills, or to represent her desire to be the same as others. It was deeper than that, more like Elphaba saying to Glinda “come and see the world as I experience it”. The scene might be mistaken for being about compliance, I don’t think so. I see it very much as the fight to be accepted for who one is. 

The visuals in Wicked have sparked mixed reactions, particularly around the beige colour palette of Shiz University. While some find the design dull, I would argue it aligns with the aesthetic of older educational institutions, which often lean towards muted tones. I studied my BA at the University of Greenwich which, although stunning in its own right, is entirely beige. So the choice of colour for the school setting feels accurate from my frame of reference. Besides, nine million tulips were grown for this film. That's a lot of colour.

They also built the sets. All filming took place in the UK, with locations across the country being utilised, including Sky Studios Elstree (Borehamwood, Hertfordshire). Speaking on a behind-the-scenes special which was filmed on the set of the Emerald City, production designer Nathan Crowley said: "We have to do something the stage show can't do. We have to show this incredible world. We have to go behind the scenes and show everything." Not only did they grow nine million tulips, they also built the Yellow Brick Road. Wicked the Movie Studio Tour anyone?

The costumes enhance the musicality of the choreography, complementing the movement and rhythm. The Dancing Through Life scene is surprisingly cool; it features traceurs (parkour practitioners). And Jeff Goldblum gives us a Jeff Goldblum-esque Wizard of Oz. He does a trick for Elphaba which leaves her with a keepsake coin (I sense a merchandise opportunity). Alongside easter eggs that will please fans of The Wizard of Oz, there are also cameo appearances from Kristen Chenoweth and Idina Menzel. We are treated to Menzel's riff from the Broadway show, which doesn't steal from Erivo – when Erivo's moment comes, she owns the riff and makes it hers.

While some critics have noted issues with the film's lighting, it’s a common complaint in modern cinema that doesn’t detract significantly from the overall experience. As Glinda might say, “These things are sent to try us.” Critics have also stated that the movie is miscast. I disagree, I think the casting was spot on. And at least from watching the behind-the-scenes special, the actors appear to get on really well. Jonathan Bailey makes a fantastic Fiyero, and offers an emotional depth to the character that I felt we didn't necessarily get from the stage version. That's not a criticism to any actors who have played / are playing Fiyero. One advantage of movies is the enhanced visual experience – it is easier to see the actors' faces and the emotions they are portraying.

Some critics felt that the film was 'miscast'

Fans of the musical will no doubt love the film, and with part two arriving in November 2025, there's plenty of time to delve into the world of Oz. Whether you've been patiently waiting for Wicked the Movie's release or are just curious about how it compares to the stage production, the cinema is the best place to make up your mind.