The New ‘Wonka’ Trailer Is Tearing Our Office Apart
Reactions to the 'Wonka' trailer range from "It's whimsical!" to "I hate it so fucking much, I hate this reality, please put me in a different reality."
The trailer for the new Timothée Chalamet movie Wonka dropped last night, and so far it’s unbelievably divisive.
I’m speaking, of course, about the people in this office — where reactions range from “It’s whimsical!” to “I hate it so fucking much, I hate this reality, please put me in a different reality.” Yup, things in here are getting pretty ugly, but when you mess with a story as fundamental to our childhoods as Charlie & The Chocolate Factory, you should know that you’re playing with fire.
The new movie, which also stars Hugh Grant, Sally Hawkins, and Calah Lane, delves into fabled chocolatier Willy Wonka’s backstory. What was he like? How did he get so into chocolate? Why does he wear that hat? None of us have ever cared, but here comes Wonka anyway, courtesy of Paddington director Paul King deciding he wanted to try something new.
Now that we have an idea of what he came up with, I asked a few people in the office what they thought of the trailer, and what they said will shock you…
“They Had Me At Hugh Grant In A Glass Cloche”
OK, I really wanted to hate the Wonka trailer. But I can’t. I’m not a Timothée Chalamet superfan, so this was never going to be a must-watch. But something stirred in me when I watched the trailer. I couldn’t help but feel like it was healing my inner child, and I could literally could not stop smiling.
I was reminded of the early days of watching Harry Potter before we realised that J.K. Rowling was… J.K. Rowling, among other things. It struck me as wistful and magical — it was unsettling, but in a way that’s actually kind of charming and nostalgic.
I also kind of love that the idea that Willy Wonka’s origin story involved eating cabbage soup and being followed around by a stinky grandparent smell.
That said, they had me at Hugh Grant in a glass cloche doing an involuntary jig. That’s all it takes, really. See you at the premiere.
– Talecia Vescio, Social Video Producer
“This Is Charlie Bucket Erasure”
How did Willy Wonka go from ambiguously evil chocolate monopolist to whimsical protagonist? This is Charlie Bucket erasure and I won’t stand for it. Plus, it distracts us from highlighting the true villain of the franchise: Grandpa Joe. I honestly can’t think about him for too long without combusting from rage. So, I’ll move on.
The trailer itself, I have to admit, is charming. The lilting tones of the original score, the candy backdrop, and one man’s singular pursuit to master his one true passion. I’m a shameless fan of elaborate lore and worldbuilding that no one really asked for, and this is exactly what this is. Plus, I would trust my life in the hands of the director of Paddington and Paddington 2. I’m ready.
– Lia Kim, Writer & Producer
“This Is Not Cinema”
I can confidently say that no one has ever wondered how Willy Wonka came to be Willy Wonka. Not one soul. But Wonka wants to demystify a character whose very appeal lies in his enigmatic qualities, which is a deeply misguided pursuit. By the way, who is Timothée Chalamet’s agent and why do they think his high school goth turned theatre kid energy is leading man material? And why is this being marketed as a Christmas movie?
My apologies and respect to director Paul King, director of the greatest film ever made, Paddington 2. But Hollywood’s impulse to over-explain elements of beloved stories that were deliberately left up to the audience’s imagination, and casting actors favoured by the TikTok algorithm, is not cinema. I’m exhausted.
– Merryana Salem, Junkee Culture Writer
“I’m Still Not Sold On Timothée Chalamet”
Honestly, I haven’t been even remotely keen to see Wonka. No one can top Gene Wilder’s 1971 portrayal of Willy Wonka and I’m still recovering from that creepy Johnny Depp version. Also, Timothée Chalamet? Not interested. I also understand where Merryana is coming from. The point of Willy Wonka lies in his mystique.
So when the trailer dropped, I didn’t really care. But then I watched it, and as it went on I became more and more invested. The music, the magic, the set design, the cameos — it’s whimsical! It’s giving childhood nostalgia and I’m here for it. Throw in Hugh Grant’s turn as an Oompa Loompa and the fact that it’s directed by Paddington director Paul King, and I’m sold. I’m still not sure about Timothée Chalamet, but for now I’m willing to look the other way.
– Lauren Jones, Head of Social Video
“Respectfully, I Hate It”
A font can very much make or break a trailer for me, and the trailer for Wonka features one of the dumbest fonts I’ve ever seen. I’m sorry, but what the hell is this?
Respectfully, I hate it. It’s like someone forgot to hire a calligrapher for their wedding invitations and tried to make do with one of those squeezy paint pens. Haters will say I’m petty, but I call it attention to detail. Never forget that both Avatar (2009) and Avatar: The Way of Water (2023) featured the font Papyrus. Imagine having a bajillion dollars and opting for a font like Papyrus. The fact is that when it comes to cinematic fonts, it’s about respect. And in having the audacity to use these title cards, the people who made this trailer clearly mean to demean us all.
– Reena Gupta, Junkee Deputy Editor