How Wicked Redefines What It Means to Be a Villain

So, what actually makes a villain villainous? Is it the terrible things they do, their intentions, or just how everyone else sees them? For the longest time, villains in stories have been these flat, one-dimensional characters painted with the same old “evil” brush. They’re bad because, well, the story says they’re bad—and we’re not really supposed to question it. But Wicked (both the musical and the upcoming movie) takes that whole idea and flips it on its head. Instead of giving us a cardboard-cutout villain, it gives us Elphaba—a character who isn’t evil at all. She’s just misunderstood.

I know Wicked isn’t the first story to do this, but I wanted to explore it.

And honestly? That hits me right in the feels. As someone who’s a little obsessed with writing and analyzing characters, I think Elphaba’s story is such a brilliant example of how you can completely redefine what it means to be a villain. It’s the kind of storytelling that doesn’t just make a character memorable—it makes you question your own ideas about morality, power, and what it means to stand out.

Villains the Old-School Way

When I think about the villains I grew up with—like the Evil Queen from Snow White or the OG Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz—they’re all pretty straightforward. They’re bad because they’re bad. They’re jealous, power-hungry, or just hate happiness for no particular reason. And, for a while, that was totally fine. Villains were just there to give the hero something to fight against, and we didn’t really need them to be more than that.

But let’s be real—we’re different now. As readers, viewers, and writers, we’ve evolved. Media is everywhere and so easily consumable. We don’t just want a villain to twirl their mustache and cackle in the background. We want to know why they are the way they are. We want to understand them, even if we don’t agree with them. That’s why Elphaba feels so fresh and powerful to me—she’s the villain who isn’t really a villain at all.

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Elphaba: A Villain Society Created

Elphaba’s story breaks my heart because she never even gets a chance to be anything other than an outcast. From the moment she’s born—with green skin, something she didn’t choose and can’t change—she’s marked as “different.” And different, to the people around her, equals wrong. Even her intelligence and magical talent—which you’d think would be something to celebrate—just make her a bigger target for judgment and fear.

What really gets me is that, at the start, she doesn’t want to fight the system or rebel. All she wants is to fit in. She wants to do good, be accepted, and make the world a better place. But the second she stands up to the corruption in the Wizard’s regime, the world completely turns on her.

And here’s the kicker: Elphaba doesn’t become “wicked” because of anything she does. She becomes wicked because society needs a villain, and she’s an easy scapegoat. That’s what makes her story so powerful to me—it’s not about good versus evil. It’s about how the world twists someone who doesn’t fit the mold into the bad guy.

The Beauty of Flawed, Messy Characters

What I love most about Elphaba is that she’s not perfect. She’s impulsive. She’s stubborn. She makes mistakes. But those flaws are exactly what make her feel real. She’s not evil, but she’s also not some untouchable, saintly protagonist. She’s complicated—just like all of us.

And honestly? That’s why I connect with her so much. Who hasn’t felt misunderstood at some point? Who hasn’t had their actions misinterpreted or been judged unfairly? Elphaba’s story is a reminder that doing the right thing doesn’t always make you the hero in everyone else’s eyes. Sometimes, standing up for what’s right makes you the villain in someone else’s story.

How Wicked Turns the Villain Trope Upside Down

What makes Wicked so special to me is how it takes the traditional “villain” and completely reimagines her. Elphaba isn’t trying to take over the world or destroy it—she’s trying to save it. Her rebellion isn’t driven by malice; it’s driven by her refusal to stay silent when she sees something wrong.

And the best part? Her story doesn’t rely on her trying to redeem herself or get society’s approval. She doesn’t apologize for being different or for standing up for what she believes in. Instead, she leans into who she is—flaws, green skin, and all—and chooses her own path. That’s such a refreshing take on the villain arc, and it’s one of the reasons Wicked is so unforgettable.

What Writers Can Learn From Elphaba

As a writer, I’m constantly inspired by characters like Elphaba. There’s so much we can learn from the way her story is told. Here’s what stands out to me the most:

Villains Need Backstories.
Flat villains are boring, plain and simple. When we know why someone does what they do—like Elphaba’s struggles with prejudice, loss, and disillusionment—it makes their actions feel so much more grounded and real.
Society Shapes Villainy.
Elphaba’s story is a masterclass in showing how much of villainy is about perception. Sometimes, the “villain” isn’t the person—it’s the system they’re fighting against.
Flaws Make Characters Relatable.
Nobody wants to read about perfect people. Elphaba’s impulsiveness, her temper, her occasional recklessness—those are the things that make her feel like a person, not just a character.

My Takeaway

Elphaba’s story is a reminder that villains are so much more than just bad guys in black capes. Sometimes, they’re just people who’ve been misunderstood, judged unfairly, or forced into a role they never asked for. Wicked challenges us to rethink what we know about good and evil, and I find that so inspiring—especially as a writer.

So, the next time you’re working on a villain, ask yourself: are they really wicked, or are they just misunderstood? You might be surprised by what you find. And hey, your “villain” might just have a little Elphaba in them too.

Happy Writing!

Leah