Wicked of Oz: the sweet story becomes a horror movie

The horror genre surprises once again after turning a children's story into a macabre horror movie. Now The Wizard of Oz, by L Frank Baum, is reinvented through a twisted story, Wicked of Oz, that will make people talk.

Wicked of Oz is directed by Aaron Mirtes and written by James Cullen Bressack, Nathan Illsley, Aaron Mirtes and Scotty Mullen.

It is estimated that this horror movie will be released in November of this year.

For those who don't remember, the adorable children's tale The Wizard of Oz tells the story of Dorothy, a girl who lives in Kansas with her Aunt Em and uncle Henry. Her greatest happiness is her dog, Toto. An unexpected tornado hits the area and, when Dorothy tries to catch up to Toto, she is unable to reach the family shelter. Dorothy and Toto are still at the house when the tornado drags them on a long journey. When the house finally stops, Dorothy realizes that she is in a beautiful land of very small beings and with peculiar clothes.

The twisted version of the wonderful tale, Wicked of Oz, describes how an unusual tornado takes Dorothy to the evil kingdom of Oz just when the hapless Kansas farmer must face Glinda, a starving cannibal who has run out of Munchkins to eat. From that moment, things get complicated, as Dorothy faces a Scarecrow with a blunt head, a Tin Man who enjoys collecting hearts that are still beating, and a Cowardly Lion who satisfies his master by attacking anyone he finds. Oz becomes a chaos while Dorothy, armed with recovered weapons, advances through crowds of crazy enemies until she finds her worst enemy, The Wicked of Oz.

A surprising success

Horror movies that reinterpret beloved children's stories have gained an incredible popularity in recent years. This trend can be attributed to several psychological and cultural factors that resonate with audiences.

At the center of many horror stories is the concept of taking something familiar and safe—like children's stories—and transforming it into something dark and unsettling. This juxtaposition creates a powerful emotional response. The innocence associated with characters from children's tales makes their corruption particularly striking. For instance, movies like Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey and The Mean One reimagine these characters as malevolent figures, which plays on the audience's nostalgia while simultaneously invoking fear.

These horror adaptations often serve as a commentary on societal issues, reflecting fears about the loss of innocence and the darker aspects of human nature. By presenting familiar characters in horrifying contexts, filmmakers tap into deep-seated anxieties about childhood and safety. The transformation of beloved figures into villains can symbolize the corruption of innocence and the unpredictability of the world, making these stories resonate on a deeper level.

The financial success of horror films also plays a crucial role in this trend. Horror movies are generally less expensive to produce compared to other genres, and they often yield high returns at the box office. This economic incentive encourages filmmakers to explore new angles on established stories, leading to a proliferation of horror adaptations based on children's tales. The emergence of the Twisted Childhood Universe exemplifies this trend, with multiple projects in development that aim to capitalize on the success of these reimagined narratives.

The success of horror movies based on twisted versions of children's stories can be attributed to their ability to evoke strong emotional reactions through the corruption of familiar characters, their reflection of societal fears, and the financial incentives driving the film industry. As audiences continue to seek out innovative and thrilling content, this trend is likely to persist, offering new interpretations of classic tales that challenge our perceptions of innocence and safety.