Move over, Disney princesses — Elphaba and Glinda are the cultural reset we’ve all been waiting for. Wicked, the long-awaited movie adaptation of the iconic Broadway musical, is here to steal wigs, hearts, and maybe the Oscar stage too. And no, we’re not just saying that for clicks — critics and fans are living for it.
Let’s talk looks. Directed by Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians, In the Heights), the movie is basically a Pinterest board of jaw-dropping visuals: think Emerald City vibes that would make the Met Gala jealous, and a flying broom scene so stunning it’ll make your jaw hit the popcorn bucket. But it’s not just about the aesthetics — it’s about the FEELS.
Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba? A moment. She’s giving us that underdog, misunderstood queen energy with vocals that could shatter glass (or hearts). Ariana Grande’s Glinda is an actual TikTok-worthy glow-up. She’s bubbly, she’s funny, and yes, she’s that girl who somehow pulls off singing opera in a bubble dress. Together, they’ve got chemistry so fire it’s basically illegal.
And the internet? Oh, we’re eating it up. Twitter’s already full of memes (someone Photoshopped Elphaba’s green face onto the Grinch — iconic), TikTok’s flooded with cosplay tutorials, and even the “Defying Gravity” challenge is BACK. This movie has turned a generation of fans into certified Oz-heads, and we’re not mad about it.
The best part? Wicked doesn’t just look good — it hits deep. Its themes of friendship, loyalty, and the whole “is evil really evil, or are we all just misunderstood?” vibe feel more relevant than ever in 2024. One thing’s for sure: this isn’t just a movie. It’s a movement.
So if you haven’t booked your ticket yet…wyd? Go, run, FLY.
The New Queer Icons Taking Over Your Feed"
You know it, we know it — anytime two powerful, complex women share the screen with a mix of tension, affection, and killer looks, the LGBTQ+ fandom is gonna run with it. And Wicked? Oh, it just handed them the sapphic goldmine of 2024.
The internet has been buzzing with queer-coded interpretations of Elphaba and Glinda’s relationship since the Broadway days, but now that the movie’s out? It’s FULL SEND. On TikTok, fans are editing their Defying Gravity duet into slow-burn romance montages, swapping the official lyrics with lines like, “I’d rather fly with you than fall for anyone else.” Meanwhile, fan art on Insta is painting their dynamic as star-crossed lovers who are more “roommates” in public but very much gal pals in private (wink wink).
This isn’t new territory for fandoms. Remember Supergirl? The chemistry overload between Kara Danvers and Lena Luthor (a.k.a. Supercorp) had fans so loud about their ship, it nearly drowned out the actual showrunners. Fast-forward to Wicked, and history is repeating itself. While the movie keeps Elphaba and Glinda’s friendship platonic (spoiler: no on-screen kisses here, folks), that hasn’t stopped LGBTQ+ fans from giving their own take — and honestly, it’s kinda beautiful.
At its core, Wicked is about two women defying societal expectations and standing by each other in a world that tries to tear them apart. Sound familiar? It should — it’s a vibe that speaks directly to the LGBTQ+ experience. Whether fans are shipping them romantically or celebrating them as soulmates who just get each other, it’s all about connection and finding your ride-or-die — someone who sticks by your side, even when the whole world’s calling you “wicked.”
On Reddit, threads are calling Elphaba and Glinda “queer-coded queens” with theories breaking down their every glance and handhold, while Twitter stans are reclaiming Elphaba’s green skin as a metaphor for feeling “othered” in society. One viral tweet reads: “Me? An awkward, misunderstood queer girl who feels like an outsider? Elphaba is mother. Period.”
This wave of LGBTQ+ love for Wicked feels less like a random fandom obsession and more like a reflection of the musical’s core themes. The world might label you as different, weird, or even wicked, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find your people — or your person — who sees the magic in you. Whether that’s a bestie, a partner, or a little of both? That’s between you and the bubbles.
God botherers, obvs.
Surprise, surprise! The Christian lobby is back on their soapbox, calling Wicked “problematic” because… well, that’s kinda their whole brand, isn’t it? The movie hasn’t even been out a week, but certain groups have already started pearl-clutching harder than a Glinda cosplay at Comic-Con. Here’s the tea:
- Complaint #1: The “Moral Ambiguity” of Elphaba
Some Christian organisations are out here saying Wicked promotes “moral relativism” (whatever that means) because Elphaba challenges the traditional idea of good vs. evil. One particularly dramatic article from a conservative site even called the movie a “dangerous glamorisation of rebellion.” Like, sorry Sharon, but did you miss the part where Elphaba’s just trying to not get crushed by systemic oppression? Let the green girl live! - Complaint #2: LGBTQ+ Representation (Even When It’s Not Canon)
Of course, they couldn’t resist stirring the pot about the fan-shipped Elphaba x Glinda relationship. Even though the movie keeps their bond totally platonic, some groups are losing it over what they call “subliminal messages promoting the gay agenda.” One pastor’s Facebook rant literally accused Wicked of “manipulating young audiences into celebrating unnatural relationships.” OK, Pastor Mike, we’re pretty sure the only thing we’re celebrating is two badass women supporting each other — take a seat. - Complaint #3: Witchcraft (Shocker)
You KNOW they couldn’t resist pulling the classic “witchcraft is evil” card. These folks are still acting like it’s 1692 Salem out here. Multiple church groups are calling for boycotts, claiming Wicked normalises “dark magic” and “demonic influences.” Someone even tweeted, “Hollywood is trying to make witches the heroes now. What’s next, a movie about Satan himself?” Like, babes, have you ever heard of Lucifer on Netflix? Y’all are behind.
Why they’re missing the point (again)
The Christian lobby’s knee-jerk response to anything remotely nuanced is giving “zero critical thinking energy.” What they’re calling “dangerous” is exactly what makes Wicked so powerful: it’s a story about questioning authority, standing up against injustice, and rejecting labels that society slaps on you. If that’s “dangerous,” maybe the problem isn’t the movie — it’s your worldview.
And let’s be real: this is all déjà vu. They said the same stuff about Harry Potter, Hocus Pocus, and basically every piece of media involving witches since forever. But you know what? Those stories just got more iconic with every complaint. Wicked isn’t going anywhere, and neither are the fans who are ready to defy gravity AND the haters.
Love letter
At the end of the day, Wicked isn’t just a movie — it’s a love letter to everything that makes us human. It’s about breaking free from the roles society tries to cast us in, finding our voices (even if it takes a duet or two), and embracing the messy, complicated beauty of friendship.
Sure, it’s sparked debates, ship wars, and some predictable complaints from the usual killjoys. But what shines brighter than any controversy is the sheer joy this film is bringing to screens — and to hearts. Whether you’re laughing at Glinda’s bubble antics, crying through Elphaba’s heartbreak, or just vibing to the absolute bangers on the soundtrack, Wicked is a cinematic gift that keeps on giving.
So grab your broomsticks, your bubble wands, or just a big tub of popcorn, and let yourself be swept away. Because in a world that’s all too quick to label us “good” or “wicked,” sometimes the most magical thing you can do is just be you. And isn’t that what Oz is all about?
Buffy rates it four avocados, smashed!
