Political Consciousness and Social Commentary in 2025's Major Film Adaptations

In 2025, French audiences are witnessing a striking integration of political and social themes in major entertainment adaptations, with two standout films offering critical reflections on oppression, violence, and societal manipulation.

The sequel to the celebrated Broadway adaptation "Wicked," directed by Jon M. Chu and starring Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda, dives deeply into themes of racism and dictatorship. Elphaba, traditionally seen as the Wicked Witch of the West, is reimagined as a misunderstood activist fighting against an oppressive regime in Oz. The film combines spectacular visual storytelling and grand musical numbers to critique modern phenomena such as fake news and societal manipulation. Notably, Jeff Goldblum and Michelle Yeoh embody antagonistic figures, underscoring the film's political message. According to Télérama, while certain sentimental moments may slow the narrative, the film powerfully connects to the 1939 original, leaving viewers both dazzled and politically conscious (source 149986).

Simultaneously, Edgar Wright’s new adaptation of Stephen King’s "The Running Man," featuring Glen Powell as Ben Richards, offers a dark, satirical lens on contemporary issues around violence and entertainment. Wright intentionally distances his version from the 1987 film to more closely align with King’s original themes. The movie serves as a mirror to today's society, highlighting the disturbing normalization of violence as entertainment. Powell's character symbolizes an everyman driven to violence by survival instincts, emphasizing vulnerability and resilience through intense physical preparation. Both Wright and Powell hope the film prompts audiences to critically assess their consumption of violent media. They also note that King appreciated the screenplay’s balance that respects his story while introducing new elements (source 149987).

Together, these films exemplify contemporary French entertainment’s engagement with political and social realities, challenging viewers to reconsider narratives around oppression, media manipulation, and the ethics of violence as spectacle. These thoughtful adaptations reinforce cinema’s role as a platform for political commentary and societal reflection in 2025.