Wicked of Oz
The upcoming two-part film adaptation of 'Wicked,' with Part One released in 2024 and Part Two expected in 2025, is a musical fantasy adventure that serves as a prequel to 'The Wizard of Oz.' It explores the origin story of Elphaba, the future Wicked Witch of the West, and her unexpected friendship with Glinda the Good. The films delve into themes of discrimination, self-acceptance, political corruption, and the complex nature of good versus evil. While the movie is rated PG, parents should be aware of some scary action, thematic material, and brief suggestive content. It is generally recommended for children aged 8 and above, with Part Two containing slightly darker themes more suitable for viewers over 11. The adaptation aims to be more family-friendly than Gregory Maguire's original novel, which contains mature themes.
Concerns
Witchcraft & Occult
HighMagic and sorcery are central to the plot, as Elphaba learns and masters her powers, eventually becoming the Wicked Witch. This includes spellcasting, magical transformations, and the use of enchanted objects, which are portrayed as integral to the fantastical world of Oz.
Elphaba is depicted as a 'talented sorceress' who receives private magic lessons from Madame Morrible, the Dean of Sorcery. Elphaba casts a spell causing 'small rocks to fly' in anger at bullies. She also casts a powerful spell using the Grimmerie, a magical book, which painfully transforms the Wizard's monkeys into winged creatures.
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
MediumThe film includes LGBTQ+ representation and hints at a main character's bisexuality. Additionally, a character's gender is changed from female in the source material to male in the film, portrayed by an openly gay actor. These elements contribute to the film's thematic exploration of diversity and acceptance.
The film explicitly mentions 'LGBTQ+ representation' as a key theme. Fiyero, the romantic lead, is 'strongly suggested' to be bisexual. The character of Pfannee, originally female in the novel and musical, is portrayed as male in the film by openly gay actor Bowen Yang. Additionally, 'A couple of male characters exhibit some effeminate mannerisms' when Fiyero arrives at Shiz University.
Violence
MediumThe movie contains mild to moderate violence, including chase sequences, magical transformations causing pain, and physical altercations. Some scenes, particularly those involving flying monkeys and character transformations, may be intense or frightening for younger viewers, and Part Two introduces slightly darker violence.
Aggressive 'flying monkeys' are shown chasing characters and one crashes into a window. Elphaba causes small rocks to fly in anger when children are cruel to her. In 'Wicked: Part Two,' a character is 'beaten by guards, mostly off camera,' with 'slow-motion punches' and the character in pain visible. Another character is implied to 'melt,' seen through 'shadows on a wall as they scream in pain'.
Romance and Sexual Content
MediumThe film contains brief suggestive content and implied romantic relationships. While no explicit sexual acts or nudity are shown, there are hints of an affair, romantic flirting, and scenes that imply intimacy, particularly escalating in 'Part Two'.
Elphaba's mother's affair is depicted through dancing and embracing, with 'one thing led to another' narrated before Elphaba's birth is shown, implying intoxication and an affair. Glinda and Fiyero share a kiss and engage in 'slightly risqué dancing'. In 'Wicked: Part Two,' Elphaba and Fiyero are seen slowly taking off clothing before kissing on a bed, with the scene cutting away to them 'waking up under blankets' and Fiyero 'shirtless under the covers,' mildly implying sex.
Substance Use
MediumThe film includes brief instances and implications of substance use. This involves alcohol consumption and the use of poppy-derived substances with sedative effects, which are linked to significant plot points.
Elphaba's mother is shown drinking a 'green liquor' with her lover, implying intoxication that leads to an affair and Elphaba's conception. Elphaba uses 'poppy flowers' to drug her classmates, causing them to fall asleep. It is also implied that Elphaba's mother consumed 'milkflowers,' a drug that contributed to her death during childbirth and Nessarose's condition.
Scary & Intense Content
MediumThe movie contains several frightening and intense scenes, including threatening creatures, menacing authority figures, and disturbing magical transformations. These elements contribute to the PG rating and may be too much for very young or sensitive children, with Part Two being notably darker.
Aggressive flying monkeys are depicted chasing characters, and one crashes into a window, creating a 'decent jump scare'. The Wizard of Oz appears as a 'giant, mechanical face' with 'glowing eyes and booming voice' that frightens Elphaba and Glinda, with 'fire blasts' punctuating his statements. Monkeys undergo a painful magical transformation, 'writhing in pain and rage, as wings begin to protrude from their backs,' which is explicitly stated to hurt the animals.
Disrespect & Rebellion
MediumThe film centrally features themes of rebellion against an oppressive and corrupt government, and displays instances of disrespect towards authority figures, particularly by Elphaba. It also highlights the constant bullying and societal disrespect Elphaba faces due to her appearance.
Elphaba is 'mocked and disregarded all her life' due to her green skin, and 'kids are cruel to Elphaba'. Elphaba explicitly defies the Wizard and Madame Morrible after discovering their deception, refusing to 'agree to his plans'. This rebellion leads to her being labeled the 'wicked witch'.
Profanity
LowThe film is noted to have no profanity or curse words. Reviewers indicate only very mild language is used, such as 'gosh' or 'golly,' and informal terms like 'shiz' or 'my lord' used in exasperation.
Multiple sources confirm 'no profanity or curse words in the movie'. Very mild language like 'gosh' or 'golly' is occasionally used. In 'Wicked: For Good,' a character says 'shiz' when startled and another character says 'my lord' in vain.
Anti-Christian Themes
LowWhile not directly anti-Christian, the film presents a worldview that challenges traditional, simplistic notions of good and evil by portraying a 'Wicked Witch' sympathetically and exposing the moral failings of revered authority figures. The narrative prioritizes themes of social justice, acceptance, and fighting against oppressive systems rather than explicit religious faith.
The core narrative 'challenges the simplistic dichotomy of good versus evil, revealing the complexities of character and the subjective nature of morality'. The Wizard of Oz, a figure of authority and reverence, is exposed as a 'fraud' and a 'megalomaniacal, narcissistic, manipulative world leader' who seeks to 'manipulate the citizens of Oz to keep their power'. Elphaba, labeled 'wicked' by society, is shown fighting for justice and defending marginalized 'Animals,' highlighting societal prejudice rather than explicit religious conflict.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
Recommended for ages 10 and older. While 'Wicked: Part One' is rated PG for thematic material, brief suggestive content, and some scary action, 'Part Two' is noted to have slightly more violence and darker themes. Younger children may find the intense scenes, bullying, and implied mature content disturbing or difficult to understand, making it more appropriate for pre-teens and older who can grasp complex themes and emotional depth.
Additional Notes
The film 'Wicked' is a two-part adaptation of the stage musical, with Part One released in 2024 and Part Two scheduled for 2025. This analysis synthesizes information for both parts, as content themes are continuous. It is crucial for parents to understand that while the film adaptation is PG-rated, the original novel by Gregory Maguire is significantly more mature and not suitable for children. The filmmakers have intentionally 'toned down' much of the original novel's content to reach a wider audience.
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