What believers should consider before watching this reimagined tale of Oz.

You might read the title and sigh, knowing where the article is going. However, as the movie, ‘’Wicked: For Good’’ is released this month and the headlines for many media outlets, we may find ourselves influenced and in the cinema amongst the Wicked superfans. It may not even be something that one sees on social media or news, but in the topic of conversation, showing how entertainment can do more than entertain but spur human interactions and become talking points. If a movie holds so much cultural and societal currency in this manner, it is important to assess how much we engage or disengage with the movies we display on our screens.

‘’Wicked: For Good,’’ is the sequel to the first movie ‘’Wicked,’’ which was released in November 2024. Directed by Jon M. Chu, the film stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Arian Grande as GLinda, alongside Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, Jonathan Bailey, and Ethan Slater.With a budget of around $145 million, Wicked became the highest-grossing-stage-to-film musical adaptation, earning over $700 million worldwide. It received strong critical acclaim, earning 10 Oscar nominations and winning for Best Costume Design and Best Production Design. It was also named best film of 2024 by the National Board of Review.

The film has been adapted from a re-imagination of The Wizard of Oz, with the goal being to give a new perspective to the ‘Wicked Witch of the West.’ Instead of painting her as purely evil, the story explores her upbringing, personality, wounds, and how society labelled her long before she had a chance to define herself.

The 2024 movie is Part 1 of a two-part adaptation and focuses on the friendship between Elphaba (the future “Wicked Witch”) and Glinda (Glinda the Good), beginning when they meet as students.

Elphaba is born with green skin – something people fear and ridicule. She grows up misunderstood and rejected, even though she is gifted, intelligent, and compassionate. She attends a magical university where she unexpectedly becomes roommates with Glinda, a bubbly, popular girl with a very different personality. Over time, their rivalry becomes a meaningful friendship. Elphaba discovers corruption in Oz’s government—particularly from the Wizard, who manipulates public opinion and hides the truth. She tries to fight injustice, but the society of Oz twists her actions to make her appear dangerous.

Elphaba becomes labelled as “wicked,” not because she is evil, but because she refuses to conform and exposes uncomfortable truths. The film aims to show how the world often creates its “villains” based on fear, misunderstanding, and propaganda.

Although there are themes that explore societal issues and human nature, where meaningful conversations about justice, courage and identity can be had, there are also other themes and elements of the movie to be considered. It includes elements of magic, sorcery, spells, a world with no reference to God, morally grey interpretation of good vs. evil and the idea of creating your own destiny or truth.

The acclaim of the first movie naturally draws up excitement and conversation towards Wicked: For Good, and it’s important to know how to contribute to those conversations. Movies have the ability to convey stories, with stories being one of the most powerful ways humans make sense of the world. Jesus Himself illustrated the Kingdom of God through parables throughout the Gospels in order for those who listened to understand exactly what the Kingdom of God was. In Matthew 13, Jesus reveals to His disciples that He speaks in parables because these stories uncover “the secrets of the kingdom of heaven” to those ready to receive them, but remain hidden from those who hear without understanding.

Even through the art of modern storytelling through movies, every tale taps into deep human questions: Who am I? Why am I here? What makes something good or bad? What does it mean to belong? We’re reminded that entertainment is not just noise, but reflects the deeper spiritual search happening in our culture.

We live in a time where entertainment is constant, colourful and persuasive. With every movie, song or new series there are conflicting messages being communicated all in the name of culture. However, this is where discernment comes in handy. Discernment means we see things the way God sees them through:

• Testing what we hear and see (1 Thessalonians 5:21).
• Separating truth from error (Hebrews 5:14).
• Judging motives, messages, and spirits (1 John 4:1).
• Choosing what leads us closer to God instead of what pulls us away.

Scripture urges us to “guard our hearts” and to “test all things,” meaning we evaluate what we consume rather than absorb it blindly. Discernment doesn’t mean fear; it means awareness. Instead of asking, “Is this allowed?” we learn to ask, “Does this strengthen my spirit? Does it align with God’s truth, or pull my heart elsewhere?” By inviting the Holy Spirit into our media choices, we protect our minds while still being present in the world around us.

There can be a tendency for secular entertainment and secular movies in this particular instance to verge on the totem pole of being spiritually polluting, where there can be engagement with ideologies that exalt itself against the knowledge of God.

In the midst of conversation concerning new movies like Wicked: For Good, we should be guided and influenced spiritually. One should not be led by popularity for we have been called to not conform to the pattern of this world as stated in Romans 12:2, but yearn for the transformation and renewal of our minds. Anything that resists or opposes that, should be taken with caution.