Let’s be real for a second. When people talk about Oz the Great and Powerful, they usually focus on James Franco’s smirking wizard or Mila Kunis turning green and throwing a temper tantrum. But if you actually sit down and watch the movie, the person driving the entire plot—the one with the actual brains and the killer wardrobe—is Evanora.
Played by Rachel Weisz with a level of "deliciously evil" energy that most Disney villains would kill for, Evanora is basically the CEO of the Emerald City. She's the oldest sister, the protector, and, yeah, a total liar.
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She's the one who framed Glinda for the King's murder. She's the one who gaslit her own sister into eating a magical apple that literally withered her heart. You’ve gotta admit, for a PG movie, Evanora is surprisingly dark.
The Secret Behind the Emerald Necklace
Most people think Evanora’s power comes from her fingertips. I mean, she does shoot green lightning (electrokinesis, if you want to get technical) like she’s a Sith Lord in a sequence-covered gown. But her real secret is that chunky emerald pendant around her neck.
Without that necklace? She’s nothing.
Well, not "nothing," but she’s definitely not the brunette bombshell she appears to be. The pendant acts as a constant illusion spell. It hides her true form: a hunched, ancient, grey-haired hag. Honestly, it’s a vibe. Who wouldn't want to use magic to skip the morning skincare routine?
When Glinda finally smashes that necklace during their final showdown, the transition is brutal. It’s not just a "mean girl" losing her makeup; it’s a literal unraveling of her physical existence.
Why She’s the Most Competent Character in Oz
Unlike Theodora, who is basically a walking raw nerve, or Oscar (the Wizard), who spends half the movie trying to find his own shoes, Evanora is a strategist.
- She plays the long game: She didn't just wake up and decide to be mean. She spent years positioning herself as the "Royal Adviser."
- Political Savvy: She understood that the Ozians needed a prophecy to believe in, so she twisted it to her advantage.
- Manipulation: She saw Oscar for exactly what he was—a con man—and tried to use his own greed against him.
She’s basically the only person in the Emerald City who realizes that power isn't given; it's taken. You might hate her for it, but you have to respect the hustle.
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The Relationship with Theodora: It’s Complicated
The most "harrowing" part of the movie—a word Rachel Weisz used herself in interviews—is how Evanora treats her sister. Theodora starts out as this naive girl in a big hat who just wants to find love. Evanora sees that as a weakness.
Basically, she uses a music box and a poisoned apple to break Theodora’s spirit.
It’s a classic toxic sibling dynamic, just with more flying baboons. Evanora tells Theodora that "one bite and your heart will become impenetrable." She’s not lying, but she’s also not mentioning that it’ll turn her skin the color of a lime and make her want to set the world on fire.
Theodora’s transformation into the Wicked Witch of the West is technically Evanora’s greatest masterpiece. She created the very monster that would eventually define the Oz legend.
Weisz vs. The World: Bringing Evanora to Life
Rachel Weisz has talked about how much she loved playing a "bad girl." In her own words, Evanora is "dark, but she’s having a lot of fun being bad." You can see it in the way she walks. She wears this corset that’s so tight she can barely breathe, which probably helped with the whole "cold and calculating" demeanor.
Critics back in 2013 were a bit split on the movie itself, but most agreed Weisz was a standout. Some felt she was "underdeveloped," which, honestly? Fair. We never really find out why she killed her father. Was he a bad King? Did he refuse to give her the throne because she was a woman?
The movie hints at a lot of institutional sexism in Oz. I mean, the prophecy says a man will come from the sky to save them. Why not one of the three incredibly powerful women already living there? If you look at it through that lens, Evanora’s rage makes a lot more sense.
The Final Battle: Magic and Physics
The fight between Glinda and Evanora is one of the few times we see raw magic used defensively. While Glinda uses bubbles and light, Evanora is all about aggression.
- Electrokinesis: She projects bolts of green energy.
- Flight: Unlike Theodora, she doesn't need a broom; she just levitates.
- Animal Control: She has that whole army of winged baboons (the "Howlers") at her beck and call.
The standoff in the throne room is the climax of her character arc. It’s the moment her "inner ugliness" matches her outer reality. When she’s blasted out of the window and saved by her baboons, it’s not a death; it’s an exile. She’s still out there somewhere.
What Most People Get Wrong About Evanora
A lot of fans confuse her with the Wicked Witch of the West because she wears green and acts, well, wicked. But Evanora is the Wicked Witch of the East.
You know, the one who eventually gets a house dropped on her.
Knowing her fate in the original 1939 film makes Oz the Great and Powerful feel like a tragedy. She spent all this time scheming, murdering, and transforming her sister, only to eventually be taken out by a Kansas farmhouse and a pair of silver (or ruby) slippers.
Actionable Takeaways for Oz Fans
If you're revisiting the movie or diving into the lore, keep these things in mind:
- Watch the Necklace: In every scene Evanora is in, look at the emerald pendant. It glows whenever she’s lying or using magic to maintain her face. It’s a great visual cue for her level of deception.
- Compare to Wicked: If you’ve seen the Wicked musical or movie, Evanora is the equivalent of Nessarose. The two versions couldn't be more different. Oz the Great and Powerful makes her a mastermind; Wicked makes her a tragic figure in a wheelchair. Seeing both gives you a much better grasp of the character's potential.
- The Costume Clues: Look at the feathers and sequins. Weisz mentioned that her costume was designed to look like a "bird of prey." It’s a subtle hint at her predatory nature long before she reveals her true colors.
Evanora isn't just a villain; she’s the glue holding the prequel together. Without her, Oscar would have just stayed a two-bit magician and Theodora would still be wearing that oversized red hat. She’s the one who forced Oz to grow up.