What the World Would Look Like If We Were All a Little More Like Elphaba

Wicked: For Good just opened in theaters and is already sparking conversations about what it truly means to be “good.” Off-screen, stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo are vegan, and Jeff Goldblum stopped eating meat because of the movie’s plot. On-screen, the movie reimagines Oz as a place where animals have been pushed aside and misunderstood. The film celebrates what happens when someone listens to animals and chooses to help them.

Here are the standout moments—and what they inspire here on earth.

A Road Built on Suffering

In the film’s opening scene, giant buffalo-like animals struggle to haul the bricks that will become the Yellow Brick Road. They strain under the weight, clearly exhausted.

That is, until Elphaba frees them.

It mirrors our world, too.

PepsiCo partners source sugar from regions in India where bulls are beaten, whipped, and forced to haul carts overloaded with sugarcane for long, grueling hours under the blazing hot sun without rest or water. Will you take action to help bulls like Elphaba did?

“We Just Can’t Fight Anymore”: Animals Seeking Safety and Hope

Later on, Elphaba discovers deer, birds, lynx, cows, rabbits, and even the bear who helped raise her—all fleeing Oz. These animals explain that the world above has become “rotten,” and they’re tired of running. They simply want a safe place to live.

The scene is emotional yet uplifting. The animals realize that Elphaba genuinely understands them, and you can sense their relief when she listens. For a moment, they even think about staying.

Their trust is fragile—but it’s real. And that’s the heart of the film: Change begins the moment someone listens.

In our world, too, animals are constantly sending signals that they want safety, comfort, and freedom. And every time people choose compassion—adopting instead of buying, trying vegan food, not wearing leather—animals’ lives get better. Small choices add up to big change.

“I know that now.”

Later, when Glinda and the Wizard insist that Oz has become kinder, Elphaba gives them a simple test: “Then prove it. Set the monkeys free.”

They hand her the key, and she opens the cages—a moment that shows how powerful it is when people choose liberation over control.

But what she finds next reveals that there’s more work to do: a hidden room full of caged animals, including her former teacher, Dr. Dillamond.

The Wizard tries to excuse this, saying, “Some animals cannot be trusted.” But Elphaba’s response is empowering: “I know that now.” The animals who can’t be trusted are humans like the Wizard. It’s up to us to speak up when we see someone doing wrong.

Oz’s Propaganda Falls Apart

Throughout the film, Oz is filled with messaging meant to restrict animals’ rights:

• “Animals need a permit to travel.”
• “No animals beyond this point.”
• “Trust no animals.”

These details show the system Elphaba is working to change. And as the story unfolds, you see more and more characters begin to question the old rules.

It’s a powerful reminder that societies can evolve—and every movement toward justice begins with someone who dares to imagine something better.

A Brighter Future for All Ozians

By the final act, the transformation is unmistakable. Chistery speaks his first words. Dr. Dillamond returns to teaching. Animals begin reclaiming their meaningful lives.

And when Glinda addresses the crowd in Munchkinland—“All Ozians”—she invites the animals forward.

Once again, animals aren’t hidden, silenced, or separated; they’re part of the community. It’s a vision of harmony, respect, and belonging.

What ‘Wicked: For Good’ Reminds Us

At its core, Wicked: For Good is about choosing compassion, even when it’s uncomfortable or unfamiliar. It shows that:

• Everyone can grow.
• Understanding replaces fear.
• Listening builds trust.
• And kindness reshapes entire worlds.

Animals everywhere—whether monkeys in laboratories, bulls hauling heavy loads, mice in glue traps, or chickens in crowded sheds—have something to say.

And when we listen, we help create a kinder world.
A world where animals are safe, respected, and free.
For good.