‘Wonka’ First Reactions Call Timothée Chalamet-Led Film “Charming” And “Truly Magical”

Calah Lane & Timothée Chalamet in Wonka. Courtesy of Warner Bros.

The first reactions to Wonka, Warner Bros.’ holiday release directed by Paddington helmer Paul King and starring Timothée Chalamet released earlier today, and critics are finding the chocolate-y charmer, well, charming.

Our own Chief Critic, Eze Baum, caught the film last week, acknowledging the film’s heightened world while recognizing that it understands what we, the audience, wants from it.

See Eze’s reaction, and others, below.

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Pleasantly surprised by #Wonka — a breezy, family-friendly movie that’ll play well over the holidays. Chalamet is charming enough to excuse some of the over-the-top characters surrounding him, and any movie that opens with the melody of “Pure Imagination” knows what it’s doing. pic.twitter.com/OD1eAqh9qg

— Eze (@EzeBaum) November 28, 2023

#wonka is an instant holiday classic & 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. pic.twitter.com/O887KYp4CY

— Zoë Rose Bryant (@ZoeRoseBryant) November 28, 2023

#Wonka is absolute magic! the way the film feels like a classic 90s family film yet so modern at the same time is incredible. timothée chalamet is so magnetic and truly a movie star 🍫 calah lane, olivia colman, hugh grant and paterson joseph create a perfect ensemble pic.twitter.com/VS1bte3e8Z

— kenzie xcx (@kenzvanunu) November 28, 2023

#Wonka is a super charming delight powered by an exceptional & pitch-perfect performance from Timothée Chalamet. It can get quite silly and there’s a few plot points that are a tad on the thin side, but that couldn’t stop such an impossibly sweet film with a hefty & very… pic.twitter.com/1SLMmRPSGY

— Perri Nemiroff (@PNemiroff) November 28, 2023

Wonka good. Paul King king.

— david ehrlich (@davidehrlich) November 28, 2023

#Wonka is the family event of the Holiday season. A charming, delightful, whimsical tale of dreamers & the system that restricts them. King WONDERFULLY channels Dahl's cheeky disdain for the elite that enhances the enigma of Wonka while standing confidently on its own. A winner! pic.twitter.com/EeQ1XMIOAq

— Griffin Schiller (@griffschiller) November 28, 2023

If I’m being honest: I wasn’t expecting much when I walked into #Wonka.

But I fell in love with a charming, heartfelt and pretty spectacular musical that is a loving tribute to everything we love about the ‘71 original.

Chalamet is unbelievably fun and charismatic as Wonka. pic.twitter.com/Ywuej5Wg5Y

— Jake Hamilton (@JakesTakes) November 29, 2023

#Wonka/ #WonkaMovie is a winning confection, filled with perfect amounts of charm, whimsy & poignancy, powered by pure imagination & bright, nimble musical numbers. Timothée Chalamet is a charisma factory. His full committal is intoxicating. Hugh Grant in exceptional IDGAF mode. pic.twitter.com/vjKJqqY6ll

— Courtney Howard (@Lulamaybelle) November 28, 2023