
Movie review
October 16, 2024 · 162 min · PG
Woke Score
Lower is better
Review
The film is a musical fantasy adaptation of the Broadway show’s first act, following green-skinned Elphaba’s ostracism at Shiz University and her unlikely friendship with popular Glinda as their destinies diverge in Oz. The narrative centers on prejudice against physical difference, empowerment through defiance, and resistance to a corrupt regime scapegoating animals. Audience-visible elements include casting and creator statements that frame the allegory around contemporary identity and power dynamics.
Breakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for Wicked.
Woke representation / casting
Black actress cast as Elphaba with visible woke hire backlash
Woke political dialogue
Fantasy dialogue on prejudice and power
Identity-driven story themes
Core narrative of identity ostracism and empowerment with queer subtext weighting
Western institutional / cultural critique
Fantasy regime scapegoating animals as oppressed group without modern activist reframing of Western institutions
Woke character or canon changes
Not relevant
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
Significant right-wing backlash claiming too woke casting and agenda
Creator track record context
Director has pattern of diversity-focused work and frames this title with political relevance
Production