Wicked officially debuts in theaters worldwide on Friday, Nov. 22. If you're a diehard fan of the stage production, you'll likely want to bring your kids to the theater to watch the screen adaptation of the beloved musical. That said, you may be wondering whether the film is suitable for younger viewers.
To help you decide whether you could bring your children along with you to watch Wicked, here's a parent's guide.
What Is Wicked About?
Wicked is a popular Broadway musical that is a prequel to the events in The Wizard of Oz. The play is loosely based on the 1995 novel "Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West" by Gregory Maguire. The musical was later adapted for the stage by composed and lyricist Stephen Schwartz and librettist Winnie Holzman.
The story explores the complex relationship between the Wicked Witch, Elphaba Thropp, and the Good Witch, Galinda "Glinda" Upland. While they are initially enemies, they become unlikely friends who uncover the corruption of the Wizard and the oppression of talking animals.
Wicked explores complex themes and challenges common perceptions of good and evil. It also bears a message of acceptance despite differences.
Is the Movie Appropriate for Children?
The musical was suggested for children ages eight and older. The film, however, is rated PG. For perspective, movies rated G are for all ages, while PG-13 cautions parents of children under 13.
The PG rating is between those two, which suggests there may be elements that some parents could see as unsuitable for children. There were some scary action scenes in the film. In the trailer, Elphaba was shown being pursued by flying monkeys. In addition, the rating also suggests that there may be inappropriate jokes in the film, which could be offensive to some parents.
Overall, Wicked should be suitable for young audiences. The story itself includes positive messages such as how to be a good friend, never judging a book by its cover, empowering others, expressing feelings in a safe space, empathy, and upholding morals.
Apart from its rating, another factor to consider is the length of the film. Similar to the stage production, the film will run for nearly three hours.
The film, directed by Jom M. Chu, stars Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Michele Yeoh, Ethan Slater, and Marissa Bode.
