The 2025 Academy Awards sparked controversy regarding Wicked‘s nomination for Best Picture, an award which was ultimately won by Sean Baker’s Anora. Although Wicked amazed audiences with its production and was massively popular, its emphasis on entertainment over narrative was criticized.
Wicked, a film adaptation of the Broadway musical, brought fantastic visuals to its audience; it was an entertaining film with intricate sets, detailed costumes and engaging musical sequences. However, the decision to only feature the first act of the play made audiences feel dissatisfied. By condensing the film to one act of the play, producers eliminated any ability to tell a fully developed story. Wicked was almost three hours long, the same length as both acts of the original Broadway play, yet it felt as if it didn’t get anywhere within that time.
The production of the film took priority over the plot and characters, which are essential components of a film, especially one that is competing with films that have more relevant messages. With the fragmentation of Wicked, the emotions and the purpose of the music were unable to be translated to the audience due to the lack of storyline. The film felt as if it was being dragged on to remind the audience of what the visuals and production could do, not necessarily any progression in the plot.
On the other hand, Anora, directed by Sean Baker, took a different cinematic approach. Anora is a predominantly character-driven film, prioritizing the nuances of human relationships and social dynamics, authentic storytelling and grounded performances instead of solely entertainment. Many critics praised Anora for telling a realistic story that could’ve happened to anyone. Baker combined various visuals and sounds alongside the plot of the characters to create a movie with depth.
Ultimately, Wicked provided millions with great entertainment, while Anora gave audiences a truly cinematic experience. At the end of the day, the Oscars are about rewarding films with great qualities, not necessarily the most popular films. With that being said, Wicked’s enormous popularity at the box office may have guaranteed the film a nomination for Best Picture, but it was not enough to secure a win in the category. The Academy’s choice of Anora for Best Picture displays a preference for the plot and depth of a film rather than entertainment value. While Wicked was a better film in terms of musicality and visuals, Anora had an emotional and narrative depth that Wicked simply lacked.
