It’s one of those times where critics agree: “Wicked” is the season’s most must-see musical. Forbes calls it a “cinematic triumph”, while Variety likens the film to a phantasmagorical “wedding cake, full of glitter and decorations”. The film starring famous singers Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo is making a splash, with revenues already reaching $373 million according to Box Office Mojo.

Wicked, directed by John M. Chu, is essentially the prequel to “The Wizard of Oz” of 1939. The musical tells the story of the friendship between the “good” Glinda (Grande) and the… green-faced Elphaba (Erivo), who later becomes known as the “Wicked Witch of the West” in the Land of Oz.

The “good” Glinda and the “evil” Elphaba

The film opens with the death of Elphaba, which is also the theme of The Wizard of Oz, and Glinda telling the people of Oz how her friend became “evil”.

“Wicked” shows how the two witches met at university and ended up – against their will – living together. At first they don’t have the best relationship, since the popular Glinda fears that she will be overtaken by an outsider, a witch who constantly accepts the ridicule because of the green color of her skin.

Chu’s musical adaptation is impressive, with attention to detail. The director depicts the Land of Oz as a colorful, magical fantasy world with magical animals such as flying monkeys and talking goats. Many parts of the film’s choreography and musical attire are touching – although at certain moments the viewer feels that the film could have lasted less than 160 minutes.

Erivo and Grande win impressions

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are of course the ones who steal the show with their impressive voices, but also with their performance. That is why many believe that the two stars will star at this year’s film awards.

Glinda is a headstrong and rather spoiled diva who likes to flash her blonde hair back, while Elphaba is a stubborn outsider who sticks to her ideals. With these conflicting characters, “Wicked” manages to pose some fundamental questions: where are the lines between “good” and “evil”? Are we born or are we made evil? How does one manage to be different and marginalized? And the same moment the musical also shows something else: how quickly the truth can be distorted, but also how easily the masses are influenced.

“Amok” in German cinemas too?

From today, December 12, the film is shown in Germany, while the second part of the musical is expected to be released in November 2025.

After the wave that the film has caused in the US, German cinemas are also expecting a lot of viewers. “The film definitely has the potential to bring a lot of people to the cinemas,” says Christine Berg, head of the German Film Association. Already ticket sales seem to be going great.

Edited by: Giorgos Passas