Wicked
dir. Jon M. Chu · 2024
Plot
A vivid reimagining of the classic The Wizard of Oz, Wicked spotlights the untold stories of Oz's most famous (or infamous) characters, namely the Wicked Witch of the West and her unlikely friend, Glinda the Good Witch. The show follows green-skinned star Elphaba from birth to college and through the life-changing events which eventually label her "wicked," introducing spoiled rich girl Glinda, local prince and heartthrob Fiyero and even the Wizard of Oz himself, a troubled man very unlike the one you may remember. As Elphaba, a passionate political activist if there ever was one, fights injustice and seeks to undo the mistakes of the past, dark secrets and personal tragedies shape the history of Oz, paying homage to the classic Wizard of Oz story while simultaneously changing fans' understanding of it forever. A cautionary tale about love, friendship and trust, Wicked effortlessly reveals that there are indeed two sides to every story.
Why watch
Elphaba, born with green skin, grapples with her identity and the societal expectations that label her as "wicked." As she navigates her tumultuous friendship with Glinda and confronts the injustices of their world, the film unfolds like a vibrant tapestry of music and emotion. Watching it feels like stepping into a fantastical realm where every note and lyric resonates with the struggles and triumphs of self-discovery.