The Wicked movie ends with Elphaba, the so-called Wicked Witch of the West, seemingly defeated after being doused with water, revealing that she is not actually dead. She reunites with Glinda, her close friend and the future Good Witch of the North, and the two depart Oz together, leaving behind a corrupt regime and embracing their newfound freedom to enact real change.
The Climactic Showdown and Elphaba’s Apparent Demise
The film builds to a high-stakes confrontation at Kackleburg, where Elphaba is hunted by the Ozian army and citizens whipped into a frenzy by the propaganda of the Wizard of Oz and Madame Morrible. She finds herself cornered in a precarious tower, armed with her powerful magic but facing overwhelming odds.
As the crowd descends, Elphaba prepares to fight. However, Fiyero, her love interest, arrives and sacrifices himself to protect her, transforming into the Scarecrow we know from The Wizard of Oz. This heartbreaking act strengthens Elphaba’s resolve.
Ultimately, Elphaba is seemingly defeated when Glinda arrives, attempting to reason with the enraged mob. One of the townsfolk throws a bucket of water at Elphaba, mimicking the legend of witches being vulnerable to water. To the crowd’s shock and Glinda’s apparent grief, Elphaba melts away, seemingly dead.
The Truth Revealed: Elphaba Lives!
However, the supposed demise is a carefully orchestrated illusion. The water was not ordinary water; it was a specially formulated liquid that, upon contact, created a temporary dissolving effect. Elphaba planned this escape with Boq, a Munchkin who had previously served Madame Morrible. Boq, motivated by his unrequited love for Glinda’s sister, Nessarose, helped her understand the Wizard’s propaganda machine and create a plan to vanish without actually dying.
This revelation occurs as Glinda mourns Elphaba in the Wizard’s chambers. Elphaba, still alive and well, appears, revealing the truth behind her supposed death. She demonstrates how the water worked and explains her motivations for disappearing.
A New Beginning for Elphaba and Glinda
The film concludes with Elphaba and Glinda, having exposed the Wizard’s lies, making the decision to leave Oz behind. Glinda accepts her destiny as the Good Witch of the North, choosing to remain and inspire positive change within Oz, using the name “Galinda,” the persona she initially adopted to fit in. Elphaba, free from the constraints of Oz and the accusations against her, embarks on a journey to a place where she can use her magic for good without being judged or feared.
The ending is bittersweet. While Elphaba and Glinda’s friendship remains intact, they choose separate paths. Elphaba’s future is uncertain, but she is empowered by her newfound freedom and the knowledge that she is capable of great good.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
H2 Why did Elphaba fake her death?
H3 Avoiding Capture and Fighting for True Justice
Elphaba faked her death primarily to escape the relentless pursuit of the Wizard’s forces and the prejudiced citizens of Oz. She realized that as long as she was branded a “wicked witch,” she would never be able to enact real change. Faking her death allowed her to disappear and work in the shadows, away from the spotlight of Ozian propaganda and fear, ultimately opening opportunities to fight for genuine justice for all the oppressed creatures of Oz, including the Animals.
H2 What happens to Fiyero at the end of the movie?
H3 Becoming the Scarecrow
Fiyero, demonstrating his unwavering love and loyalty to Elphaba, sacrifices himself to protect her from the approaching mob at Kackleburg. He uses a spell, likely taught to him by Elphaba, to transform himself into a living scarecrow, diverting the crowd’s attention and allowing Elphaba time to escape (or so they believe). This transformation sets him on the path to becoming the Scarecrow featured in The Wizard of Oz, eventually encountering Dorothy and joining her journey. While the movie likely won’t show his full transformation, it implies his fate.
H2 What is Glinda’s role in Elphaba’s escape?
H3 A Complicated Alliance
Glinda is initially unaware of Elphaba’s plan to fake her death. Her genuine grief upon witnessing Elphaba’s apparent demise highlights her initial shock and sadness. However, after Elphaba reveals the truth to her in the Wizard’s chambers, Glinda understands the necessity of the charade and ultimately agrees to keep the secret, solidifying their bond and allowing Elphaba to escape undetected. Glinda’s role evolves from an unwitting participant to a silent conspirator, safeguarding her friend’s freedom.
H2 Does the Wizard face any consequences for his actions?
H3 Exposure and Imprisonment (Likely)
While the film doesn’t explicitly show the Wizard’s immediate punishment, the exposure of his fraudulent persona and tyrannical rule strongly suggests that he will face significant consequences. With Glinda remaining in Oz to champion truth and justice, it is highly probable that the Wizard will be stripped of his power and potentially imprisoned, facing the judgment of the people he manipulated and oppressed.
H2 What motivates Boq to help Elphaba?
H3 Love and Compassion
Boq’s primary motivation for assisting Elphaba stems from his unrequited love for Nessarose, Glinda’s sister. Elphaba granted Nessarose the ability to walk, unintentionally creating a complicated situation. Boq feels a sense of gratitude towards Elphaba, combined with a desire to alleviate his own suffering. He also begins to see the injustices perpetrated by the Wizard and feels a growing sense of compassion for the oppressed Munchkins and Animals. He uses his knowledge of the Wizard’s propaganda machine to aid Elphaba’s plan.
H2 What is the significance of Elphaba and Glinda leaving Oz?
H3 New Beginnings and Separate Destinies
Their departure signifies a rejection of the corrupt system within Oz. For Elphaba, it represents a chance to redefine herself and use her magic for good without the burden of prejudice and fear. For Glinda, staying behind signifies her commitment to transforming Oz from within, fighting for justice and equality under her new identity as the Good Witch of the North. Their separate paths reflect their individual strengths and desires.
H2 What happens to Madame Morrible?
H3 Confronting the Truth and Accountability
While not explicitly stated, it is reasonable to expect that Madame Morrible, as the Wizard’s co-conspirator and a key architect of the Ozian propaganda, will face similar consequences to the Wizard. Her role in manipulating the public and demonizing Elphaba is significant, and it is highly likely that she will be held accountable for her actions, potentially facing imprisonment or exile.
H2 Where does Elphaba go after leaving Oz?
H3 An Open-Ended Future
The film intentionally leaves Elphaba’s destination ambiguous. This ambiguity allows for future stories and explorations of Elphaba’s character and her continued efforts to fight for justice and protect the vulnerable. Her departure suggests a journey beyond the borders of Oz, perhaps to a place where her unique talents and powerful magic are welcomed rather than feared.
H2 Is the “melting” scene the same as in The Wizard of Oz?
H3 Subverting Expectations
No. The “melting” scene in Wicked intentionally subverts the expectation established in The Wizard of Oz. In the original movie, the Wicked Witch of the West is genuinely destroyed by water. In Wicked, the water is part of a carefully planned escape, highlighting Elphaba’s intelligence and resourcefulness, and dismantling the harmful narrative surrounding her character.
H2 Will there be a sequel to the Wicked movie?
H3 Potential for Expansion
Given the popularity of the musical and the open-ended nature of the first film’s ending, the possibility of a sequel is certainly present. The sequel could explore Elphaba’s adventures beyond Oz, or focus on Glinda’s efforts to reform Oz, or even bridge the gap between Wicked and The Wizard of Oz, showing how Fiyero transitions fully into the Scarecrow. Time will tell if a sequel is in the cards.
H2 How does the movie’s ending differ from the Broadway musical?
H3 Similarities and Adaptations
While maintaining the core plot points, movie adaptations often introduce nuances and visual elements not possible on stage. It is likely that the movie incorporates visual cues and storytelling techniques to emphasize Elphaba’s emotional journey and the complexities of her relationship with Glinda. Minor details of dialogue or specific plot beats might be adjusted for the screen.
H2 What is the overall message of the Wicked movie’s ending?
H3 Hope and Resilience
The ending of Wicked ultimately conveys a message of hope and resilience. Despite facing immense prejudice and adversity, Elphaba refuses to be defined by the labels imposed upon her. She embraces her true self, chooses her own path, and dedicates her life to fighting for justice. The film suggests that even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds, it is possible to find freedom, forge meaningful connections, and make a positive impact on the world.