Fans are baffled by Elphaba’s tears in the Wicked movie, despite the novel stating that water is deadly to her. Could there be a hidden explanation?

wicked-cynthia erivo

Jon M. Chu’s highly-anticipated film Wicked finally hit the theatres on Friday, November 22, 2024. Starring Ariana Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, the Broadway musical adaptation also featured Bridgerton star Jonathan Bailey. Releasing over two decades after the Tony-winning musical, the movie has so far attracted a fair share of audiences to the theaters.

Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba in Wicked (2024) | image: Universal PicturesCynthia Erivo as Elphaba in Wicked (2024) | image: Universal Pictures

However, while Wicked has so far achieved positive reviews, a few changes to the story and subtle plot holes have sparked debates online. Among all, the one thing that left people baffled was Elphaba’s tears, despite Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West clearly stating that water can kill the green witch.

Netizens Seem Confused by Elphaba’s Tears in the 2024 Wicked Movie 

With Wicked finally arriving in theaters, fans seemed excited to watch Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, and Jonathan Bailey perform the adaptation of the Tony-winning Broadway musical based on Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel. So much so that audiences hailed Jon M. Chu’s much-anticipated first installment as ‘incredible’ (via DailyMail).

While the film got praised for its incredibly magical and emotional moments, it was particularly Elphaba’s climactic scene from the Ozdust Ballroom that left audiences ‘sobbing’ and ‘broken’. In the above-mentioned sequence, Cynthia Erivo’s character is seen breaking down in tears, after being isolated due to her green skin.

Elphaba’s crying scene from Wicked | image: Universal Pictures Elphaba’s crying scene from Wicked | image: Universal Pictures

As tears start running down her cheeks, Elphaba’s former foe Glinda (Ariana Grande) takes the witch’s head in her hands, marking the beginning of their firm friendship. But while this scene evoked empathy and compassion for Cynthia Erivo’s character, it also sparked confusion among fans about how can Elphaba cry if she’s allergic to water.


Considering how Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West has been clear about the fact that water is fatal to Elphaba, fans took to social media to question this particular scene from Wicked. Netizens from all around the world joined the debate and offered their explanations, while confusion increased further.

Possible Explanation for How Elphaba Survived Her Tears if Water Kills Her 

In an attempt to clear the ongoing confusion about Elphaba’s tears, Out addressed the scene from Jon M. Chu’s 2024 movie and explained how Cynthia Erivo’s character could cry without the tears becoming fatal to her. According to the outlet, the prime explanation lies in the fact that the film is an adaptation of the Broadway musical, rather than Gregory Maguire’s novel.

In Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel, there was no ambiguity about Elphaba’s life-threatening allergy to water. Although the inexplicable condition defied science, Maguire clearly mentioned that Elphaba can’t touch water, can’t cry, and can’t bathe like other people. That’s why in the final scene when Dorothy throws a bucket of water on Elphaba, she’s presumed to be dead in the books.

Whereas, the Broadway musical being an adaptation of Gregory Maguire’s novel, written by Winnie Holzman had no definitive statement about Elphaba’s water allergy. This is why in the final scene of the musical show, Elphaba is seen faking her own death and escaping through a trap door to be with Fiyero, after Dorothy threw a bucket of water on her.

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in Wicked | image: Universal Pictures Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in Wicked | image: Universal Pictures

While the 1995 novel had an open-ended tone in the last few lines about Elphaba after Dorothy’s menacing action, the Wicked musical avoided that very subtly and literally showed the witch saying goodbye to Oz, before escaping with Fiyero. Therefore, as Jon M. Chu adapted the storyline from Winnie Holzman’s Broadway musical, the 2024 movie perhaps laid low on the witch’s water allergy, much like the Tony-winning show.

Wicked is currently running at your nearest theaters.