Wonka portrays its main character as a fun-loving chocolatier who dreams of sharing the joy of his profession with the world, but one moment in the film might prove that he’s actually a nasty villain. The prequel film to Roald Dahl’s beloved novel, Charlie and the chocolate factory, details the beginnings of Willy Wonka and how he came to found his magnificent candy empire. Wonka and his ragtag group of friends create a memorable story filled with heart and inspiring triumph.
The film makes Wonka’s accomplishments even more impressive, as his story proves just how much he had to overcome. Wonka gives some valuable and sweet context as to why Willy Wonka even wanted to get into the candy business to begin with. While most of the details provided in the prequel serve to paint Wonka in a better light, there is one key one shown at the end of the film that threatens his “good guy” image.
At the end of Wonka, the titular character gives Slugworth, Prodnose, and Fickelgruber modified versions of Hover Chocs. Hover Chocs typically cause the person eating them to float in the air before returning safely to the ground. Wonka says he think the modified version of the chocolates will still have Slugworth, Prodnose and Fickelgruber which will go down after a while. However, viewers never get confirmation if the three men were able to land safely., while the film ends shortly after. This could mean that Wonka finally killed the chocolate cartel by making them float until they finally reached space and couldn’t breathe.
However Wonka depicts the main character as a quirky, fun-loving man who cares deeply about the people around him, this detail would confirm that he is in fact a villain. The chocolate cartel has wronged Wonka in many ways, including ruining his store, turning the police against him, and keeping his friend Noodle away from her family. Despite these wrongs, Wonka takes justice into his own hands by murdering them would make him a villainous character.
After the chocolate cartel was exposed for its crimes in Wonka, it was more than likely that they would be punished. The revelation of what they had done was made public, so there was a whole group of people who could make sure they were held accountable. The police chief was also named in the book that detailed their crimes, meaning it was unlikely the department could continue to cover up the cartel. This means that there was no reason for Wonka to murder them, because justice was going to be served anyway.
