The Gospel in 'Wonka'

Dear reader, 

The most incredible thing happened to me the other day. I watched a movie, and God spoke to me in the most genuine way. 

For those of you who don’t know I have been an avid movie watcher most of my life. Many hours wasted, yet some have been redeemed as I look back and see the spiritual truth’s woven into the narrative like a treasure hunt. 

This one was different. In the first 5 minutes of the movie I was almost on the verge of tears. God knew what I needed to see, hear, and experience. He was so kind to give me just that. 

The movie Wonka was released back in December of 2023, and it is the prequel to the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory story. It follows a younger Willy Wonka as he dreams of opening a chocolate shop that is more than just chocolate. 

There are 3 parts of the film I want to draw out and show you what God showed me. Maybe they will impact you as they did for me. 

The Set Up

In the beginning of the movie you begin to introduce the characters, and it’s obvious that Willy has nothing to brag about. He’s got holes in his shoes, his clothes are torn and musty, and he has 12 silver coins to his name. But by the end of the opening number (I forgot to mention it was a musical) he only has 2 left. 

He sees a woman and a nursing child and he gives away another coin, leaving him with just 1. He tosses the coin in the sky and it lands in his pocket with a hole in the bottom of it and it slides through down to a sewer drain. 

He’s left with nothing. Yet his joy, his optimism, his hope is unwavering. It’s tremendous. 

That is exactly where I want to be, and I’m on my way there. My funds will continue to diminish due to finishing off the medical bills and miscellaneous things that I pay for, and I want my joy and hope in Jesus Christ to lead me on without flinching. 

The Conflict

Willy is met with heavy conflict. And it is disheartening to see his efforts get squashed as his aspirations grow. 

Three major Chocolate manufacturers consistently use shady methods to destroy his efforts, and Willy is also tricked into a situation where he is forced into an obscene amount of debt. Yet he does not quit. He rally’s others to help him, instilling hope and joy into those who need it, and invites them along for the ride. 

Conflict is quite normal for me. I almost welcome it as this point. Trials and tribulations are to be expected in a follower of Christ’s walk, and I’m learning more and more what that looks like.

The Resolution 

As most stories do it comes to a climactic end. I won’t spoil it for you, but if you know the story at all you know a factory fabricated for chocolate making purposes is bound to appear at some point. But there is one thing that stood out to me, the three major bad guys they made bland and expensive chocolate. Wonka wanted to create amazing chocolate and have it be accessible to anyone. 

The chocolate could make you fly, give you unwavering confidence, or help you break out in song like a Broadway show. But something Wonka was eager to provide was something different than the norm. He was an avid believer in there was always more than meets the eye, and it was his job to point it out so others could see it too. 

That is where I want to be. I want to see God’s kingdom at work, draw others to see it, and encourage them to point out the same reality to those around them. To tell the stories of redemption in such a way that God is clearly at the center of all they say and do, that’s what I want. 

Chocolate and stories aren’t in the same wheelhouse, but the principle still remains. 

Wonka wanted to give people more than chocolate. 

I want to give people more than marketing. 

I aim to do just that.

Sincerely

Your Fellow Whimsical Wonka Wannabe

-Mitchell