“Wicked” Trigger Warning Over Green Skin Sparks Online Uproar

The British Board of Film Classification is catching heat over its detailed trigger warning for the upcoming “Wicked” movie. The advisory notes that the film features discrimination against a “green-skinned woman” and persecution of talking animals, leaving some scratching their heads and others in a tornado-like frenzy.

The BBFC’s review states, “A green-skinned woman is mocked, bullied and humiliated because of her skin color. A disabled woman in a wheelchair is treated in a condescending manner by able-bodied people. Talking animals are persecuted in a fantastical society.” While this is intended to give parents a heads-up about sensitive themes, not everyone is buying it.

Critics online, many using the hashtag “GoWokeGoBroke,” have blasted the warning as unnecessary. Some argue it’s absurd to flag discrimination against a skin color that doesn’t exist, with talking animals also catching stray criticism. Piers Morgan didn’t mince words either, posting on Instagram, “Can the woke brigade f*** off with this nonsense?”

The warning has sparked debates, with supporters noting that “Wicked” has always carried undertones of racial discrimination. While Elphaba’s green skin is a fantastical feature, it’s widely understood as a metaphor for real-world prejudice, something the BBFC appears to be considering when crafting its guidelines.

In the U.S., the movie isn’t accompanied by such a warning, and it’s unclear if it will be displayed before screenings in the U.K. This appears to be more of a resource for concerned parents rather than something the studio itself endorsed.

“Wicked” continues to be a cultural talking point, and this trigger warning has only added fuel to the fire. Whether you see it as overreach or a valid caution, it’s clear the debate is flying as high as Glinda’s bubble.