Featured Image Credit: Universal
Topics: TV And Film, US News, Wicked
Rhianna Benson
For many theatre fans, the movie adaptation of Wicked provided a means of observing the much-loved Broadway hit adapted for the big screen.
For newbies to the storyline, however, the big-name blockbuster has been a rollercoaster of emotion, with many claiming one character gave them a blindsiding betrayal they never saw coming.
Warning: spoilers ahead
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Wicked tells the tale of a troubled yet talented youngster named Elphaba, who becomes shacked up with blonde beauty Glinda when the two are thrown into the same college dormitory.
Despite their differences, Glinda is the only one who can see past her gal pal's sage-coloured skin to see the power beneath, while Elphaba knows there's more heart to her girlfriend than her perkiness and popularity.
Eventually, after a disappointing blow during her visit to meet the Wizard - literally, the Wizard of Oz - Elphaba is forced to give in to her power, going on to become the 'Wicked Witch of the West' that we know from the 1939 classic.
Meanwhile, Glinda becomes the 'Good Witch' that encourages Judy Garland's Dorothy Gale to flea Oz, with Wicked actually serving as a prequel.
Being that theatre veteran Cynthia Erivo and US pop sensation Ariana Grande were cast as the film's two leads, even viewers who claim to be out of touch with the magical musical claim they at least knew about Elphaba and Glinda's story.
What many claimed they didn't see coming, however, was the character arch of Madame Morrible.
Played by Oscar-winning superstar Michelle Yeoh, Morrible - headmistress of Shiz University - is the first, and one of the only individuals who recognises Elphaba's magical talents and encourages her from the get-go with private tutoring.
Later, however, she switches sides and begins working for the fraudster Wizard - who is actually behind several of Oz's animal teachers being persecuted - and turns the kingdom against Elphaba by giving her the wicked nickname.
As we say, whilst those who've seen the Broadway version before might not be too surprised by Morrible's betrayal, first-timers have been left utterly shocked.
Taking to Reddit, one fan couldn't comprehend the staggering twist.
"Madam Morrible was the biggest betrayal in the movie," they said, before going on to explain why.
"I know it was all for show, but Madam Morrible was the first person (in the movie) to accept Elphaba with open arms. I mean, she didn't gawk or stare or get all awkward like others who first met her.
"Instead, she made her feel special and it was the first time she had probably experienced someone else's first impression be something other than her skin color, and actually be amazed and interested in her abilities."
They added: "Then, at the end, for Morrible to paint Elphaba as the enemy and use her greenness to signify her 'wickedness' and her 'evilness' was so heartbreaking to me.
"I mean, imagine the first person you met who had actually made you feel like you were so much more than how others perceived you, who taught you how to reach your full potential, and who encouraged you to reach for greatness was the person who used your insecurities against you and painted you as evil because of it.
"It was the ultimate betrayal to me."
And by the sounds of the comments below, many other viewers are in total agreement.
"It doesn't help that Michelle Yeoh is so likeable when she's acting motherly and praising/helping Elphaba. As a fan of the musical and book, I already knew, but even I still wanted to like her lol," one gushed.
Another added: "The way her eyes sparkle when she first says 'Elphaba' to the absolutely ICY way she says 'Wicked Witch' later on. Chilling."