“Wicked” has made its gravity-defying leap from stage to screen, and fans are flying to the theaters.
The film, the first of a two-part adaptation of the hit Broadway musical, is expected to have the third-biggest U.S. box office film debut of the year, coming in behind “Deadpool & Wolverine” and “Inside Out 2,” per Variety.
Online, fans are praising standout performances from Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, the vibrancy and cinematography of Jon M. Chu’s direction and the surprising emotional weight of the story, which is inspired by the two witches at the center of 1939 classic film, “The Wizard of Oz.”
“i am not the same person i was 3 hours ago,” one person said on X, an update to an previous post sharing that they were now watching “Wicked.”
Many praised specific actors. One X user called Erivo’s version of Elphaba “singular and beautiful.”
“Also the PIPES!!!!” they added, referencing Erivo’s powerhouse vocals.
Another complimented Ariana Grande’s comedic timing as Glinda and her range in “No One Mourns The Wicked,” the opening track that sees Glinda publicly celebrate the death of the Wicked Witch of the West, who viewers later learn was her closest friend.
Jonathan Bailey, who plays Fiyero in the film, received no shortage of praise for his effusive chemistry on screen and “exquisite management of his charisma,” as one X user put it.
“The funniest non-spoilery thing about #Wicked is that it’s not just the girls who are swooning for Fiyero. EVERYONE at Shiz is into him, and you never question it because it feels 100% realistic,” another noted.
“Jonathan Bailey needs to open a school of chemistry because more men need what he has. genuinely why did he have chemistry with every single person in wicked. what is he doing. how is this possible. someone stop him (don’t),” another said.
Many on social media shouted out specific musical moments, including the climactic finale of “Defying Gravity” and the rousing and emotional “Dancing Through Life” scene at the Ozdust Ballroom.
“this entire defying gravity sequence is gonna stick with me for the rest of my life. a lifechanging movie experience,” one user wrote on X.
“this killed me,” another wrote, captioning a GIF of Glinda wiping away one of Elphaba’s tears as they danced together at the Ozdust.
Several fans pointed out certain details of the release that made them hesitant to see it, including splitting the “Wicked” musical into two parts and Part One’s lengthy runtime — clocking in at more than two hours, 40 minutes. But after seeing the film, some viewers said those reservations were no longer an issue.
“I was the biggest skeptic of splitting Wicked into two films but it was FULLY WORTH IT. Easily one of, if not the best movie musicals of the 21st century. I need part 2, and I need a full theme park land,” one person said on X.
“That was the shortest 2 hours and 40 minutes of my life. I was spellbound,” another person said.
One X user said seeing the film made them understand Grande and Erivo’s emotional interviews about the film, which sparked many viral GIFs in the weeks leading up to the film’s release Nov. 22.
“u cant even laugh about ariana and cynthia being dramatic anymore after u watch bc u can genuinely tell wicked IS that serious for them… the love they have for the project really radiated like wow,” one X user said.
Over on TikTok, many viewers posted videos spliced together with their reactions before and after watching “Wicked.” The overwhelming theme? Tears. Lots and lots of tears.
“Here’s us before the ‘Wicked’ movie,” influencer Chris Olsen said in a TikTok video at the Los Angeles premiere Nov. 9.
The next clip, which is noted “After:,” shows Olsen sobbing. (“Same,” Kristin Chenoweth, who originated the role of Glinda in the Broadway musical, notably commented.)
“Not a single dry eye in theater,” reads the text on one TikTok that was re-shared on X with the message, “absolutely EVERYONE cries during wicked. no matter the age nor the gender.”
Still, some say they’re planning to go through the emotional experience all over again.
“saw #wicked tonight and already have plans to see it 3 more times,” one X user wrote, accompanied by a viral GIF of Grande crying in an interview.
