What were the driving forces leading towards evil? Is wickedry born or made? The 2024 movie-musical Wicked is a telling of Elphaba, better known as the Wicked Witch of the West’s origin story. The movie is part one of a sequel with the second movie expected to be released in 2025. The film's events took place before Dorothy's storyline in the 1939 version of The Wizard of Oz. The film examines issues of authority, deceit, abuse, and discrimination.
A twisted tale of friendship and power
Wicked immediately starts with the death of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West. As the people of Oz celebrate this assumed victory, “good” witch Glinda, the Witch of the North, reveals that she and Elphaba once attended Shiz, a prestigious school of advanced magic and sciences. Elphaba, up to that point, has lived a bitter life as she was always being picked on by others for her green skin and magical powers that she has yet to control.
Upon her meeting Glinda for the first time in Shiz, they immediately roomed together, challenging their contrasting personalities. Elphaba being more reserved, found it difficult to keep up as Glinda embraced her popularity while the former hoped to simply be treated fairly by others. Progressively, they’re both able to navigate their differences and have empathy for one another. They were able to find out how they could both work it out as a team for the time being by balancing each other out, demonstrating that they each had a yin and a yang within them… for the meantime.
Behind its facade of an enchanting and whimsical musical, the movie holds commentary on real-life issues concerning society, especially politics. Some of the characters seem to be placeholders for allegories with counterparts in the real world. For starters, the plot challenges moral ambiguity. In the case of Elphaba, she continuously tries to defy boundaries that suggest morality is complex and nuanced. Are the circumstances in which we make and perform decisions weighed to justify our actions?
Wizard (Jeff Goldblum) and Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh), each with their own ulterior motives, attempted to control Elphaba's magic for personal gain. The Wizard, being a phony, has made a career off lies and deceit as he’s unable to predict any prophecy. Madame Morrible on the other hand, chose to manipulate and trick an isolated student under her wing to her own benefit. Together, both forces place Elphaba in a tough position on whether to succumb to their influence or risk isolation and potential danger.
The witch is born
As the first act of the movie reaches its climax, audiences are emotionally presented with Elphaba's transformation into the broomstick-flying witch everyone knew her to be. The witch, who was personified for a long time as being irrationally evil, is given the story that humanizes her when she decides to follow her instincts and refuses to accept the Wizard's and Madame Morrible's intentions for her. It can be argued that society pushed Elphaba to embrace rebellion against a world that never truly accepted a green-skinned witch simply for being different.
The emotional sequence of “Defying Gravity” displayed the character rationalizing what is about to happen in the middle of a hot pursuit. Audiences are presented with her character most vulnerable leaving everyone to root for a character who was always written the villain and acknowledge that history is truly written by its victors and not necessarily always by the truth.
Tony Award-winning actress Cynthia Erivo and global pop sensation Ariana Grande deliver powerhouse performances that captivate audiences. Erivo, with her raw talent and commanding stage presence, breathes life into the complex character of Elphaba. Her powerful vocals and emotional depth elevate every scene she's in. Grande, in her cinematic debut, shines as the bubbly and optimistic Glinda. She brings a unique charm and vocal prowess to the role, ensuring Glinda remains a beloved character.
Jonathan Bailey, known for his role as Anthony in Bridgerton, delivers a flamboyant and charismatic performance as Prince Fiyero. Bailey’s energetic rendition of “Dancing Through Life” is a highlight of the film, showcasing his impressive vocal range and dynamic stage presence.
The film's musical numbers, particularly the iconic duet “What Is This Feeling?” have become viral sensations, inspiring countless covers and dance challenges on social media. Its strong vocals and emotionally intense narrative are brilliantly complemented by the graceful yet energetic dancing.
For the wicked, the weird, and the wonderful
Wicked is more than a spectacular show; it's a thought-provoking exploration of racism, power, and morality. By reimagining the Wizard of Oz universe, it challenges traditional narratives and celebrates friendship, perseverance, and the human spirit. Its powerful performances, soaring music, and timeless story continue to captivate audiences.
The movie challenges the perception of good and evil by exploring the complexities of its characters. It is a timeless tale that reminds audiences that empathy, understanding, and courage are true power.
As fans eagerly await the second installment, people are left wondering what other secrets Oz holds and what surprises await our favorite characters. Make sure to catch Wicked in cinemas near you!
