On the day of its release, Friday 21 November, I went to see Wicked: For Good, with my sister, at our local cinema. The film got me thinking about, well, wickedness (amongst other things).
First off, let's get one thing clear: the Bible condemns witchcraft. And so we come to the seemingly age-old debate of whether Christians "should" watch Harry Potter - or, in this case, Wicked. That's not what I'm discussing in this piece.
Wicked: For Good is the second in a pair of films, the first was released this time last year. If you're a rookie, let me fill you in.
Wicked (part one) tells the story of two young women in the magical land of Oz - Elphaba, who is born with green skin and feels like an outsider, and Glinda, who is popular and ambitious. The duo start out disliking each other but eventually form a deep friendship. They discover that those with power, in Oz, are secretly harming innocent magical creatures, and when Elphaba tries to expose the truth, she is labelled a villain; that's where the first film concluded, with Elphaba going on the run (or rather, on the "fly", through the sky, on her broomstick).
Wicked: For Good begins with Elphaba in exile, if you will; she's been branded as "wicked" - quite literally, now known infamously around Oz as the "Wicked Witch of the West" (any The Wizard of Oz fans out there?). Glinda, branded, contrastingly as "Glinda the Good," and Oz's "golden girl," carries a burden beneath the brave face she puts on: Elphaba is her friend, and she isn't really wicked, at all. Or is she?
Good? Evil?
Picture this: Glinda floats around in a sparkly pink gown, her blonde curls cascading down her shoulders, her dulcet tones charming all those she meets. Then, you have Elphaba: green skin (not the norm in Oz), cladded head-to-toe in black robes, with your typical witch's hat on her head. Just from that description, who do you think is the "goodie" in this story, and who do you deem the "baddie?"
Add to those descriptions the labels that have been attached to the two women: one, "Glinda the Good," and the other, "The Wicked Witch of the West." Do you need any more persuading?
Halfway through the film, after the protagonists' friendship is on the rocks, I turned to my sister and whispered: "Wait, so is Glinda good, or evil?" I was legitimately confused.
My musical-theatre-fan-of-a-sister replied: "That's the point."
Thus, here comes the good stuff: the film got me thinking about gospel truths.
The world's definition of 'goodness'
Glinda appears to be the "goodie" - certainly to the citizens of Oz. I mean, how can you not see her as a sweet little thing, who can do no harm, wafting her sparkly skirt and singing angelically?
As a child, I had an intense fear of ghosts - apparently that's quite normal for high-functioning individuals with vivid imaginations. Growing up, my faithful Christian Mum has always emphasised that the devil disguises himself as goodness; our stereotype of him lurking as a ghoulish apparition with horns and red skin must expand to see him as he so often appears - in the things the world deems as "good."
Sexual immorality - sex outside of marriage, the glorification of the LGBTQ+ movement; substance abuse - drunkenness, recreational drugs; and so on. I can think of numerous films, just off the top of my head, that portray these things as wonderful and, well, good.
We fail to see them for what they are: sinful.
Wickedness often masquerades as goodness.
The human heart
At its very basic level, Wicked: For Good (and its predecessor, actually) got me thinking about original sin. Are people born wicked? Well, how do you define "wicked"? Humans are born under the curse of sin.
This is why we must be born again (John 3v3). Nicodemus was confused when Jesus used this phrase (John 3v4), understandably; Jesus is talking about a spiritual re-birth. We must be made new, and this can only be done by the One who conquered the curse of sin - which Jesus did when He died on the cross, taking the burden of our sinfulness on Himself, and rose from the dead. Death has no power over our Lord!
And so through faith in Him, spiritual death has no power over us, either; we are covered in His blood, raised to new life, and recipients of His - the Son of God's - inheritance. We are made children of God.
'Wow!'
A potentially controversial final point; I want to mention how my heart actually praised God during Wicked: For Good. Why? Well, because of the sets, costumes, and musical theatre talent of Ariana Grande (Glinda) and Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba) - wow.
It's quite astonishing how human beings are capable of such artistry, the sheer talent that people can possess. We are fallen human beings, but made in the image of God (Genesis 1v27). Our God is the Creator God (Genesis 1v1); He is creative. I do believe this is why I get so much pleasure when I create - when I write, when I paint, when I design housing interiors in Animal Crossing (yes, as a 24-year-old two-time graduate).
Look at how C.S. Lewis used his gift for writing for the glory of God.
See how journalist Dan Walker lives out his Christian faith in the world of media.
Observe God's kindness through His common grace, allowing people to enjoy art.
Furthermore, and finally, lots of art - such as Wicked: For Good - can get us thinking about gospel truths. The pursuit of an answer to the question "Is Glinda good? Or evil? Or is it more nuanced than that?" ultimately led me to the reminder that God holds the definition of goodness - He is the definition of goodness. His commands are good. "Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart" (Psalm 119v2).
Here I am - once again - reflecting on the saving work of Jesus at Calvary; may we continue, all our days, to rejoice.
