‘Wonka’ First Reactions: “Visually Delightful”, Timothée Chalamet Is “Intoxicating”, “A Charisma Factory”

Denise Petski
·4 min read
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The first reactions to Paul King’s Wonka, the prequel to Roald Dahl’s beloved Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, are in, with much praise for the film’s star Timothée Chalamet as the enigmatic Willy Wonka.

The origin film follows Chalamet’s Willy Wonka from his beginnings selling candy in a small shop to his rise as an eccentric genius chocolatier and the creation of his fantastical chocolate factory.

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“#Wonka/ #WonkaMovie is a winning confection, filled with perfect amounts of charm, whimsy & poignancy, powered by pure imagination & bright, nimble musical numbers,” wrote Courtney Howard. “Timothée Chalamet is a charisma factory. His full committal is intoxicating. Hugh Grant in exceptional IDGAF mode.”

Gizmodo senior reporter Germain Lussier wrote that Chalamet “alone is reason to see the film,” adding “He’s infinitely charming and a blast to watch.” However, he wrote, “The movie around him isn’t as good but it’s enjoyable. The story & tone fight against each other leaving it a bit muddled. And yet it’s filled with joy & the songs are delightful.”

Zoë Rose Bryant called Wonka an “instant holiday classic”, adding: “a truly magical time at the movies 🥰 paul king’s whimsical style works as well here as it did in paddington, every musical number enchants, & the entire ensemble takes turns stealing the show, led by an endlessly charming timothée chalamet.”

Variety‘s Jazz Tangcay described the film as “visually delightful”: “Shout out to [production designer] Nathan Crowley, his world building is fantastical in every way.”

See these and additional reactions below.

The Warner Bros film is directed by Paddington helmer King from a screenplay he co-wrote with Simon Farnaby. The cast also includes Keegan-Michael Key, Rowan Atkinson, Sally Hawkins, Olivia Colman, Jim Carter, Matt Lucas, Natasha Rothwell, Tom Davis, Mathew Baynton and Simon Farnaby.

Hugh Grant plays the “something of a whopper” Oompa-Loompa named Lofty. Additional cast includes Peter Joseph, Rich Fulcher, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, Calah Lane, Colin O’Brien, Rahkee Thakrar, Ellie White, Murray McArthur and Tracy Ifeachor.

Wonka opens in theaters on December 15.

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