Production for Wicked began in December of 2022 having been in the making for two long years. When it finally flew into local theaters this month, the Howl was anticipating magic. 

From a Broadway musical to a Universal Pictures production, Wicked 100% delivers. The film may feel like a remake or a sequel, but it is uplifting, fun, a little sad, but wicked good. 

Wicked is a story about the two witches from The Wizard of Oz. The Good Witch, Glinda, is played by Ariana Grande, and the Wicked Witch of the West, Elphaba, is portrayed by Cynthia Erivo. The story explains how the two witches first meet and how Elphaba becomes the witch she is today. 

Walking into the theater, I was unsure of what to expect, as I was unfamiliar with the original musical. It didn’t seem to matter, as the movie was amazing. Each song had me in a musical grip, and I wanted to dance and sing along with Elphaba and Glinda. 

When I heard “Defying Gravity,” it was obvious that the audience was moved. Erivo really embraces Elphaba’s character and sings her heart out. It brought tears to my eyes.  

The movie begins as the two witches become roommates at their school (Shiz University). The girls initially loathe each other because they are truly polar opposites in every way. Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh)  sends a letter to the Wizard of Oz because she knows that Elphaba has great power. Things go south (or west if you think about it) when their professor, Doctor Dillamond (a talking goat), is taken away. This inspires Elphaba to attempt to save all of the animals held captive. She and Glinda become friends and travel to the Emerald City to meet the Wizard. But the tables turn when Elphaba is able to read the Grimmerie, a magic spell book that only the wizard can read. She quickly realizes that the Wizard is a fraud. While he initially hopes she would join him, she doesn’t want to hurt the animals nor live a life of lies. Glinda tries to change her mind but ultimately supports Elphaba’s decision. Since Glinda won’t join her, Elphaba flies away, alone on her enchanted broomstick.

There is a touch of romance in this movie, though it isn’t central to the story. Prince Fiyero (Johnathan Bailey) joins the school and is a love interest of both Elphaba and Glinda. At the onset of the tale, Glinda begins dating Fiyero. However when Elphaba and Fiyero save a lion cub together, things change. Elphaba finds Glinda unworthy of Fiyero’s love.

The Howl initially believed the rumors that the two lead actors were paid surprisingly different amounts for their work in Wicked. Universal strongly denied these claims, which the Howl hopes to be true as Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo each filled their roles perfectly. 

The Howl rates Wicked 10/10. The Tomatometer agrees with a 99% Audience Score. 

Our only wish would come with a spell of our own – that the sequel arrives sooner than announced. The story is not over just yet, as Part Two is scheduled for release on November 21, 2025.