The anticipated film Wicked: For Good has sparked a debate about its suitability for younger audiences, largely due to its darker tone. Concerns mounted after influencer Sara Burnett shared on Instagram that she left the cinema with her children following an implied sex scene and instances of witchcraft after the film’s November 21 release.
To provide clarity on the movie’s PG rating, Us Weekly consulted Betsy Bozdech, editorial director at Common Sense Media, a nonprofit organization that reviews and rates content for age appropriateness. Bozdech stated that Common Sense Media rates the film as appropriate for viewers aged 11 and up, positioning it clearly in a middle ground. She emphasized that parents know their children best but should be prepared for potential impacts if the content proves overwhelming.
Common Sense Media’s review specifically highlighted "several kisses, including some passionate ones, and a non-graphic love scene during the song ‘As Long as You’re Mine’." The review also noted "two characters removing their outer garments." Within the film, Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey) have implied off-screen sexual relations, later seen embracing under a blanket, with Elphaba’s bare shoulders visible after removing her sweater.
Bozdech explained Common Sense Media’s detailed rating process, which scores potentially concerning categories on a zero-to-five scale. For Wicked: For Good, sex, romance, and nudity were rated four points due to the implied sex and partial nudity. She contrasted this with the Motion Picture Association’s (MPA) PG rating, which the MPA gives for "action/violence, some suggestive material, and thematic elements."
The specific criteria for MPA ratings are not transparent, a point Bozdech highlighted as a historical issue, with the main certainty being that using the "f-word" more than twice typically results in an R rating. Bozdech finds the MPA’s categories, especially PG, to be too broad. She noted a significant developmental difference between a 4-year-old and a 12-year-old, yet both could fall under a PG rating.
Common Sense Media’s ratings, by contrast, are based on child development research and offer year-by-year guidance from ages 2 to 18. This granular approach helps parents determine what content their children are developmentally ready to process.
Bozdech acknowledged the challenges parents face in making informed choices, especially when merchandise for Wicked targets very young children, creating a perception that the film is suitable for all ages. She recommends that parents utilize resources like Common Sense Media or consider waiting to view films at home, where they have control over pausing, adjusting volume, or lighting.
The Wicked story has a long history, originating from Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel, which Bozdech described as significantly darker and more mature than both the subsequent 2003 musical by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman and the films. She questioned whether parents reacting negatively to Wicked: For Good had seen the first film installment and found it acceptable, suggesting the issue might be specific scenes rather than the overall theme.
Ultimately, Bozdech believes that debates surrounding the appropriateness of entertainment will always exist. She encouraged parents to inform themselves about the media their children are interested in, considering their children’s maturity, preferences, and past reactions to content. The story of Wicked, much like The Wizard of Oz, is destined to remain a cultural touchstone for decades, continuing to prompt discussion and reflection.