Elphaba Thropp understands the Grimmerie, an artifact that plays a critical role in the story of Evil. Adapted from the Broadway musical and the novel by Gregory Maguire, Evil explores the lives of Elphaba Thropp and Galinda Uplandbefore becoming known as the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good in the Land of Oz, respectively. Evil became one of the highest-grossing films of 2024, with a sequel slated for release in 2025.
The Grimmerie in Evil it is revealed to be an ancient spellbook full of Ozian magic that few can understand. Their entire story is established during the song "One Short Day", when Elphaba and Glinda arrive in the Emerald City. Upon seeing the Sorcerer and Madame Morrible's spellbook, Elphaba is able to understand their mysterious language and casts spells; the Grimmerie serves as a key aspect in your journey to become the Wicked Witch of the West in Evil.
Elphaba can read Grimmerie because of her unique heritage
She is part human and part Oziana
In the song "The Wizard And I", Elphaba expresses her desire to travel to the Emerald City and meet the mysterious Wizard of Oz. Her wish is finally granted when she receives the invitation and she and Glinda travel to the Wizard's palace. Upon arrival, Elphaba sees the Sorcerer's Grimmerie and Madame Morrible; After reading Grimmerie's strange language, she inadvertently casts a spell on the Wizard's monkeys and gives them wings. This result surprises both the Wizard and Madame Morrible, neither of whom were able to decipher the mysterious text of the ancient book.
In the original novel and Broadway musical it is revealed that only those with natural magical powers are able to read and understand Grimmerie. Those born in Oz, like Madame Morrible, and in the real world, like the Wizard, cannot read it. In the musical, it is revealed that Elphaba was born half human and half Ozianamaking her"a child of two worlds" according to Madame Morrible. This gives viewers a justifiable reason why she can read The Grimmerie and cast magic all over Evil.
Elphaba will learn why she can read Grimmerie in Wicked 2
The sequel will see Elphaba learn the truth about her father
The end of Evil shows Elphaba taking The Grimmerie out of the palace and flying away from the Emerald City. Grimmerie will likely play an important role in Evil: forever and potentially see Elphaba unleash more magic in her battle against the Wizard and Madame Morrible. As Elphaba learns more magic from the ancient spellbook in the sequel, she is also likely to learn the real reasons why she is able to understand the text later in the story.
At the beginning of Evilviewers see what happened to Elphaba's mother and how her secret affair with a mysterious stranger, later revealed to be the Wizard, led to Elphaba's birth. It is also shown how the Wizard's green elixir led to Elphaba's green skin in Evil and led her to be born half human and half Oziana, as portrayed in the musical. As the story continues in the next Evil sequel, Elphaba will likely learn the truth about her father, understand why she can read the magical book Grimmerie, and accept her title as the Wicked Witch of the West.