Blog #489: Why "Wicked" is a Perfect Representation of Neurodiversity?

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Disclaimer: If you have not seen “Wicked: Part 1” yet, this blog will contain spoilers, so don’t read unless you have seen the movie yet.

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This past weekend, I had the privilege of seeing “Wicked: Part 1” at my local movie theater after hearing about all the hype that had been built around it for the past few months. Even though I had seen the stage musical adaptation twice (once in New York and once in Providence), I wanted to give the movie version a chance and draw my own thoughts towards the film.

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Looking at the film closely, I couldn’t help but notice that there is a lot that the Neurodiversity community can benefit from and connect to when it comes to it’s representation in the film. For one thing, you look at the main protagonist, Elphaba Thropp (Cynthia Erivo) as someone who was born with green skin and was looked down upon by her father and others throughout the land of Oz.

In a way, Elphaba comes to represent those who are often judged or ridiculed because of the difference that they were born with. Elphaba was born with an unusual gift that makes her stand out amongst others in the land of Oz.

However, this is also represented in the neurodiversity community where there are families out there that refuse to accept their loved ones for who they are. Elphaba’s father, the Governor of Munchkinland, refused to see his oldest daughter for who she is and instead turns his love and affection towards her younger sister, Nessarose aka the future Wicked Witch of the East. The Governor of Munchkinland is a clear representation of the denial that goes through the minds of parents and guardians who had plans for their loved one, but now can’t fulfill those plans as a result.

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Throughout the film, we see Elphaba having to confront the demons that make her who she is. In Elphaba’s case, there are three sets of demons she encounters throughout the film. First, in the Ozfest scene, we see Elphaba confront the demons in the personification of the Shiz University students. It’s not until Glinda (Ariana Grande) comes forward and is willing to give her a chance to be a part of the Ozfest.

The next factor is that Elphaba also comes to represent the Neurodiversity population that holds a high regard for causes near and dear to their hearts. Like a lot of us in the community, we have an infinity towards animals and do not like it when they are abused or tormented.

The scene where Dr. Dillamond (Peter Dinklage) is dragged out of the classroom is a representation of what happens when we feel the pain of something being tortured. In fact, this happens twice with Dillamond and a Lion cub that would grow into the Cowardly Lion. For some people, this wouldn’t be any different than anything else used as a classroom subject.

But in Elphaba’s case, this is personal. In a way, these two scenes can demonstrate the sensory overload that goes in one’s mind. The more Elphaba learns about what the animals are going through, the more her mind descends into sensory overload. I mean, if you saw something near and dear to your heart being treated so poorly, how would you have reacted?

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The final example happens at the finale of “Part 1” where Elphaba learns that the Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum) intends to use her as someone who can read from a spell book known as the Grimmerie to make the animals become more and more inferior to the rest of Oz. It is here that Elphaba realizes that she was taken advantage of and throughout the film, the ticking time bomb that was counting down in her mind finally explodes.

In a way, many neurodivergent individuals can relate to Elphaba on account that many times, there is that ticking time bomb that goes off in our minds and that as a result, we cannot listen to reason. This is further demonstrated in the final number “Defying Gravity” where Elphaba declares that no one was ever going to bring her down.

All our lives, many of us are brought down on account that we are told to believe that we would never amount to anything in life. By becoming the Wicked Witch of the West, Elphaba finally breaks free of the grip and belief that she would always be brought down because of her difference.

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“Wicked: Part 1” is essentially a movie that can make those who are lovers of the musical and “The Wizard of Oz” see things in a different light on account that Elphaba is essentially a walking example of neurodiversity representation, and the struggles needed to overcome the odds, even if the end result is becoming the villain. “Wicked: Part 1” can also be a representation of how society is nowadays and how sometimes we have to walk our own path that is different from what is set for us by others.

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Catch you all later!!