A mother recounted her experience of leaving the movie Wicked: For Good with her children, concerned that it might be ‘casting actual spells’ on her family.
The sequel to the beloved musical, featuring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, premiered in theaters on November 21. This installment has stirred more controversy than the original.
Ahead of its release, some fans of the original stage musical expressed concerns about the sequel. A user on Reddit noted that Act Two is ‘significantly darker than the first.’
Without giving away too much of the plot, the film involves character deaths, intense love affairs, and disturbing themes like torture, crucifixion, child kidnapping, and a lynch mob, as per the Reddit user.
“Also, the second act just has an overall more somber tone than the first act,” they wrote. “I’m a little concerned that this film’s all-ages marketing might backfire and lead to angry parents and a disappointing box office return.”
Even though the film performed well commercially, grossing nearly $400 million globally, it surprised some parents with its provocative content.
Sara Burnett, known on Instagram as SincerelySaraB, took to the platform to explain why she exited the film mid-way with her children.
She shared her ‘honest review’ via a detailed post, emphasizing that her decision was influenced by a particularly sexually-charged scene and its music.
“I am shook with how they handled the movie,” Sara expressed, noting that her family appreciates theater and musicals.
She elaborated: “We love appreciating the talents and God-given gifts that people have. Seeing the acting, the arts, and all the creativity.”
“But gosh, I am not sitting in a movie that is casting legit spells over me and my family and allowing my children to watch scenes where men are sexually taking off women’s clothing and music that is talking about them laying in bed together.”
This scene features Erivo’s character, Elphaba, performing ‘As Long As You’re Mine’ to Fiyero, played by Jonathan Bailey, in a sensuous context with suggestive lyrics.
The mother, who has nearly 40k followers for her content on parenting, marriage, and Christianity, added: “I have a feeling that the spells cast in this movie weren’t just some made up words.. they had purpose in them!”
Sara mentioned that her children felt uneasy during certain parts of the film, prompting her to leave.
Despite her disappointment, she viewed it as a valuable teaching moment for her daughters.
“Learning that when we are in situations that we don’t feel are right then we need the courage to walk away,” she explained. “I have a feeling this won’t be the last time that our girls have to walk away from a situation that isn’t from the Lord.”
“Friends. Stand firm in your faith and always do what’s right. Even if it’s not what the crowd is doing.”
Although the movie holds a PG rating, Sara is not alone in her concerns about its suitability for young audiences.
Another mother shared on Reddit that she thought one scene was ‘too sexual for my comfort levels’ for her six-year-old daughter.
“We don’t watch TV, and she hasn’t seen many other movies. I honestly wouldn’t have taken her had I known!”
Others shared their discomfort at watching the steamy scene in the presence of children, describing it as ‘pretty damn awkward.’
“A couple of kids near me complained about it, thinking it was gross,” said one post, and another mentioned hearing children express surprise, asking if the characters were ‘naked.’