--- title: "Wicked: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/wicked/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/wicked" critics_score: 75 critics_reviews: 20 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Wicked (2024): what the critics said Critics' score 75 from 20 reviews: 15 positive, 4 mixed, 1 negative. Most critics like it, and the praise lands in one place: Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. The reviews return again and again to the two leads, their chemistry, their live vocals and the staging of Defying Gravity in particular, with Erivo’s Elphaba most often singled out as the film’s strongest draw. Jon M. Chu’s scale and spectacle earn broad approval, and several critics say the film gives the songs room the stage could not. The reservations cluster on length and pacing. Even warm reviews call it bloated, and a few find Chu’s restless style leaves little room to take anything in. A smaller group, including The AV Club and Little White Lies, dislikes the muted, washed-out colour palette. The spread is wide: The Playlist awards top marks, while /Film alone dismisses it as a long, busy mess whose leads lack personality, a complaint almost nobody else shares. ## Variety — Peter Debruge Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 19 November 2024. Peter Debruge declares it the year's must-see musical, praising Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande's iconic, emotionally nuanced turns as rival divas and the film's timely critique of division and authoritarianism, while celebrating Chu's gloriously overstuffed maximalist style. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2024/film/reviews/wicked-review-cynthia-erivo-ariana-grande-1236214272/) ## Total Film — Fay Watson Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 19 November 2024. Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo deliver performances that will have audiences defying gravity in this adaptation; the review highlights their chemistry and the film's appeal. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/musicals/wicked-part-one-review/) ## Little White Lies — Fatima Sheriff Rating 3/4/4. 21 November 2024. Praises the chemistry between Grande and Erivo, the spectacle, choreography, and emotional depth in musical numbers, but criticizes the washed-out CGI aesthetic. Verdict is largely positive with much to love. [Read the review](https://lwlies.com/reviews/wicked) ## The Guardian — Wendy Ide Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 24 November 2024. The stars enchant as young rival witches in Jon M Chu’s impossibly slick first instalment of his two-part adaptation. Driven by knockout performances from Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, the film matches its polished razzle-dazzle with real heart and delivers depth alongside the escapism. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2024/nov/24/wicked-the-film-review-cynthia-erivo-and-ariana-grande-jon-m-chu-part-one-1) ## The Hollywood Reporter — David Rooney Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 19 November 2024. The critic praises the strong performances by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande and the vibrant world-building, calling it a sparkling screen transition that delivers for fans. They single out the casting and live vocals for praise. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/wicked-review-cynthia-erivo-ariana-grande-1236062372/) ## The i Paper — Francesca Steele Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 19 November 2024. The film is a candy-coloured fantastical treat carried by the phenomenal talents of Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, with strong comic timing, vocal performances, and a focus on the leads' friendship and character development; it runs a bit long but ends powerfully. [Read the review](https://inews.co.uk/culture/film/ariana-grande-wicked-review-3388833) ## Time Out — Phil de Semlyen Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 19 November 2024. The review highlights the vibrant energy, sincerity, and powerhouse performances by Erivo and Grande, especially in songs like Defying Gravity. Positive on the adaptation delighting fans. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/wicked-2024) ## Evening Standard — Nick Curtis Rating 3/4. 20 November 2024. Jon M. Chu’s lavish adaptation is visually ravishing and showcases the vocal and acting talents of Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, but it suffers from bloat, excessive length, and pacing issues that make even superfans wish for a quicker pace. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/wicked-review-will-cast-a-spell-but-could-have-done-with-a-bit-more-va-va-broom-b1194994.html) ## The AV Club — Jesse Hassenger Rating B-. 19 November 2024. The critic notes strong leads and agile musical numbers but complains about the drab, muted color palette and overly faithful, sprawling adaptation. Singles out the visual style for complaint. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/wicked-review) ## The New York Times — Manohla Dargis Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 21 November 2024. The critic finds Cynthia Erivo the strongest draw in this splashy, overly long first installment of the Broadway adaptation, praising her showstopping performance and the deepening chemistry with Ariana Grande while noting the director's restless maximalism leaves little room to savor details. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/21/movies/wicked-review.html) ## The New Yorker — Justin Chang Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 20 November 2024. Justin Chang describes the film as a nostalgic, half-satisfying spectacle that doubles down on blockbuster excess, praising Erivo's magnetic performance as Elphaba while noting the narrative clutter and obvious political parable undercut some of its impact. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2024/12/02/wicked-movie-review-gladiator) ## Vulture Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 19 November 2024. The film is enchanting yet exhausting, faithful but wearying in its spectacle; praises the dance scene and leads' performances but notes it drags and lacks depth. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/article/review-wicked-is-as-enchanting-as-it-is-exhausting.html) ## Los Angeles Times — Katie Walsh Fi1m's normalised score 55/100 (inferred from the text). 19 November 2024. The review calls the massive adaptation a faithful but uneven effort that delights fans with its reverence for the stage show and strong lead performances, yet criticizes the pacing, underbaked motivations, and lack of visual imagination that prevent it from fully soaring. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2024-11-19/wicked-review-part-i-cynthia-erivo-ariana-grande-john-chu-musical) ## Empire — Helen O'Hara 19 November 2024. Chu turns the stage show into a movie epic with spectacle, VFX, and strong casting; Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande deliver layered, complex performances with astonishing vocals, making the long runtime pass quickly despite some relentless moments. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/wicked/) ## Sight and Sound 22 November 2024. The critic praises the film's spectacle, strong vocal performances by Erivo and Grande, and cinematic adaptations of the musical numbers, but notes some dated elements and an anaemic color palette. Overall positive verdict on the adaptation being superior to the stage version. [Read the review](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/wicked-theres-room-broom-this-dizzying-movie-musical) ## The Times Rating ★★★★☆. 19 November 2024. Cynthia Erivo turns a Broadway hit into cinematic gold and transforms Elphaba into a character of uncommon depth. The film is a worthy successor to The Wizard of Oz with standout performances and strong staging of key musical numbers. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/film/article/wicked-review-movie-ariana-grande-cynthia-arivo-b96ctv3tl) ## The Playlist — Manuel Betancourt Rating A. 19 November 2024. The critic calls it a triumph and all-around delight, praising the dazzling performances by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, the dynamic musical numbers, and how it captures the magic of the stage musical on screen with fresh takes. [Read the review](https://theplaylist.net/wicked-review-cynthia-erivo-ariana-grande-dazzle-in-john-m-chus-triumphant-musical-20241119/) ## Collider — Jeff Ewing Rating 9/10. 19 November 2024. The critic praises Jon M. Chu's majestic musical adaptation for its stunning scale, vibrant worldbuilding, and powerful central performances, especially Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Galinda. Minor issues noted with sound mixing and some shot choices in dance numbers. [Read the review](https://collider.com/wicked-movie-review/) ## Film Stories — Maria Lattila Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 20 November 2024. The critic praises the film as a mesmerising adaptation justified by its length, highlighting the incredible central performances by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, and the inventive musical numbers. They single out Erivo's soulful portrayal and vocal performance in "Defying Gravity" for special praise. [Read the review](https://filmstories.co.uk/reviews/wicked-review-a-spellbinding-musical-adaptation/) ## Polygon — Petrana Radulovic Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 19 November 2024. Wicked is celebrated as a movie musical made unapologetically for fans of the genre, with excellent singing and chemistry from the cast (especially Ariana Grande), detailed and functional worldbuilding, and meaningful use of film's close-ups and expansions on the stage material. It honors the source while feeling like a love letter to musical theater. [Read the review](https://www.polygon.com/review/481398/wicked-movie-review-musical/) ## Den of Geek — David Crow Rating 4/5. 19 November 2024. The adaptation expands the story with novel elements and cinematic ambition but remains emotionally and audibly breathtaking thanks to powerhouse performances by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. It is only half the musical, leading to some padding, yet the spectacular climax soars. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/wicked-review-epic-musical/) ## NME — Nick Levine Rating 4/5. 19 November 2024. Chu’s adaptation is a dizzying delight that should please fans and newcomers alike, with Erivo and Grande delivering vocally extraordinary performances and crackling chemistry. The film flags a little in the middle of its lengthy runtime but ends on an enchanting note full of empathy for outsiders. [Read the review](https://www.nme.com/reviews/film-reviews/wicked-movie-ariana-grande-cynthia-erivo-3814095) ## /Film — Witney Seibold Rating 4/10. 19 November 2024. The critic finds it a long, ineffectual, busy, mushy mess lacking personality in the leads and genuine whimsy, criticizing the overlong runtime and overdesigned visuals while noting the plot feels played out. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/1713820/wicked-movie-review/) ## Deadline — Pete Hammond 19 November 2024. The Broadway musical adaptation soars cinematically and exceeds expectations as one of the best movie musicals. Director Jon M. Chu enhances the stage magic into pure movie magic, with standout performances from Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. [Read the review](https://deadline.com/2024/11/wicked-review-cynthia-erivo-ariana-grande-movie-musical-adaptation-1236181476/) ## Paste — Jason Gorber Rating 8.5. 19 November 2024. Chu's film succeeds extraordinarily well with its timely universal story, expanded narrative elements, captivating ensemble performances, and grand theatrical scope translated to screen. It is one of the great musical movies of any age, defying high expectations. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/wicked/wicked-review-cynthia-erivo-ariana-grande-singing-performance-sequel-second-half-jon-chu-wizard-of-oz) ## The Wrap 19 November 2024. The first half of the adaptation defies the odds with strong storytelling, characters, music and dancing. It is a bright and colorful whirlwind that mostly succeeds despite some inconsistent visual effects and supporting cast limitations. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/wicked-review-ariana-grande-cynthia-erivo-universal/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/wicked.md