The effect of water on Elphaba Evil presented differently between the original Book and the musical.
The plot of 2024 part 1 Evil began with the citizens of Munchkinland celebrating the death of the Wicked Witch of the West (Elphaba), but the cause of her death was not fully revealed.
One of the film’s opening shots hinted at her possible death, with Elphaba’s hat sitting on a small pool of water.
Why can’t Elphaba get wet in Wicked?
A 1995 novel by Gregory Maguire Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West reveals that Elphaba is allergic to water, which stings her skin whenever she comes in contact with it.
In the novel, water eventually becomes the main cause of Elphaba’s death when Dorothy throws a bucket of water to save her after her broom sets the witch’s skirt on fire. Water also caused Elphaba’s death in the 1939s The Wizard of Oz a movie starring Judy Garland.
However, in Evil musical, the idea that water is Elphaba’s weakness is a rumor because it doesn’t seem to affect her.
In the second act of the musical, Elphaba and Fiyero take advantage of this rumor. They fake Elphaba’s death by throwing water on her, and she pretends to melt even though she is still alive.
Did the 2024 Wicked Movie Confirm Water as Elphaba’s Weakness?
The effects of water on Elphaba (lead star Cynthia Erivo) in the movie Evil Part 1 has yet to be directly confirmed, but there are signs throughout the film that it won’t harm him.
When Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh) took an umbrella and shielded Elphaba from the rain, the powerful witch soon became unresponsive, signifying that the water has no harsh effect on her.
Elphaba also cried during the Ozdust Ballroom scene during seclusion. This series established the beginning of a sisterly relationship between Elphaba and Glinda (Ariana Grande) after the latter decided to join her dance.
This meant that her tears did not harm her, unlike in Gregory Maguire’s original novel where her tears caused her pain.
Part 2 Evil the movie could follow in the footsteps of the musical, where Elphaba would take advantage of everyone’s belief that water is her weakness. This could be his way out of the mess Oz and Madame Morrible started in Part 1.
Bad part 1 shown in theaters worldwide, and Evil Part 2 will be published on November 21, 2025.
