Opinion Today: What’s “Glicked”? Taking a second look.

Perhaps this is the dual blockbuster release 2024 deserves.

View in browser|nytimes.com November 25, 2024 By Adam Sternbergh Culture Editor, Opinion It's unlikely Hollywood will ever repeat the organically generated excitement of "Barbenheimer," the openings of "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer" on the same weekend last year. But there was a kind of mini-"Barbenheimer" moment this weekend — tentatively called "Glicked" — as two blockbusters arrived simultaneously: "Gladiator II," a blood-splattered sequel to the 2000 film that won best picture at the Oscars, and "Wicked," a glittering first installment of a planned two-part movie extravaganza. As with "Barbenheimer," these films at first glance seem like delightfully disparate offerings. But there is a common thread, if you squint: Think twice and don't always accept everyone at face value. Things aren't always what they seem. Take the gladiator, who has enjoyed a proud cinematic history as a noble hero. But as Melanie Racette-Campbell explains in an essay published this weekend, ancient Romans took a very different view of these arena combatants, who were thought of less as warriors than as lightweight entertainers. In "Wicked," two magically talented witches meet and become — well, not friends exactly but something perhaps more alluring: frenemies. The notion of besties who try, test and ultimately uplift you is a theme, according to Jennifer Weiner in another essay, that we can't seem to quit. This twinned opening may not have been enough to inspire themed outfits. But maybe a dual message of cleareyed reassessment — whether of masculine ideals or of perceived rivals — is the "Barbenheimer" moment that 2024 deserves. Read more about the movies: Sam Whitney/The New York Times Guest Essay Gladiator Movies Aren't Telling the Real Story About Rome Forget the movies. Roman ideals of masculinity went far beyond what gladiators could achieve. 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