EDITOR’S NOTE: This story contains spoilers for the new movie “Wicked: For Good.”
Get ready to be swept back into the enchanting world of Oz, but this time, the magic comes with a powerful dose of reality. While the first “Wicked” film beautifully introduced us to Elphaba and Glinda’s sisterhood amidst themes of “otherness” and racial tension, “Wicked: For Good” truly elevates the conversation, diving headfirst into a hot-button issue: immigration.
The new film doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable parallels. We witness Boq, a Munchkin, being denied travel to the Emerald City due to new, restrictive permits for animals and Munchkins – a policy crafted by Nessarose. Later, a chilling scene shows enchanted animals hidden in cages within the Wizard’s palace, eerily reminiscent of real-world headlines about immigration crackdowns and detention.
The manipulative Wizard of Oz aims to unite the populace by declaring, “The best way to bring folks together is to give them a real good enemy.” His chosen foe? The innocent animals, whose rights are stripped and voices silenced through cunning propaganda.
But Elphaba, the green-skinned heroine, stands as a beacon of resistance. She actively fights the Wizard’s deceptive schemes, challenges the lies, and even helps animals escape through an underground tunnel – a poignant echo of historical freedom movements.
These aren’t new additions to “Wicked”; the political undertones are deeply woven into Gregory Maguire’s original novel and the beloved Broadway musical. As experts confirm, the story has always explored “whose truth is real” and how those in power control the narrative. “Wicked: For Good” isn’t just an escape; it’s a mirror reflecting our own world, challenging us to think about prejudice, propaganda, and human rights, proving that even a fantastical tale can inspire vital conversations for good.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/11/22/entertainment/wicked-for-good-politics-immigration
