After years of bringing Broadway audiences to Oz, Bad the musical finally defies gravity on the big screen. Led by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande as Elphaba and Glinda, the Jon M. Chu-directed two-part adaptation of Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman’s adaptation of Gregory McGuire’s novel brings its yellow brick roads, Emerald City and witch magic to life.

But is the movie musical lively and frightening for young children? What should parents know about the themes before bringing kids to this rendition of Oz?

Bad: Part Onein theaters November 22, is rated PG by the Motion Picture Association. Read on to learn more about why the film received this rating and what elements of the film may require parental guidance. (Note: There are some spoilers ahead.)

There are some chills and sensations

Those who have seen the 1939 classic The Wizard of Oz should know the fright Bad: Part One are largely similar: beloved main characters are shown in peril, but the candy-colored fantasy land first imagined by novelist L. Frank Baum prevents the audience from being in any real danger.

Rated PG for ‘some scary action’, the Bad film saves most of its more disturbing moments for the film’s final scenes. Many involve the future flying monkeys of the Wicked Witch of the West, who at one point bare their teeth and break through windows to get to Elphaba and Glinda. A scene explaining how the monkeys grew wings could be disturbing to young viewers who are averse to seeing animals in pain.

Also towards the climax of the film, the sorcerer’s mechanical mask, which functions as a means of communication with his subjects, can be considered frightening. The Wizard of Ozan innocent man (Jeff Goldblum) emerges from behind the curtain.

The story does not shy away from heavy themes

Although it is completely permeated with comedy, Bad brings the “thematic material” of its MPA assessment with images of bullying and discrimination. Elphaba, played by Erivo as an adult and Karis Musongole as a child, is mercilessly mocked for having green skin. Growing up under her strict father, the Governor of Munchkinland (Andy Nyman) and then at Shiz University, where she studies sorcery, the would-be villain is depicted as an oppressed and misunderstood girl who has experienced very little acceptance throughout her life.

A scene where Dr. Dillamond (voiced by Peter Dinklage) explains the disappearance of his peers from Oz, introducing a key theme to the story: being different – ​​or rather, since the esteemed Shiz professor is a goat, scapegoating. Again, children who are wary of depictions of animal abuse may feel uncomfortable seeing that character, as well as a young lion cub, threatened or in a cage.

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There are a few – innocent – ​​sexual implications

Early in the film, Elphaba’s mother is shown romping with someone – not her husband! – in what is considered a sexual matter. Otherwise, Bad keeps its suggestiveness to an absolute minimum. Winkie prince Fiyero, played by Jonathan Bailey, flirts with everyone from the moment he saunters onto the screen, but his hip movements and winks are ultimately quite innocent.

Very much The Wizard of Ozthe first Bad film is designed for the whole family: children can enjoy the colorful world-building and vibrant characters, adults can appreciate the current real-world inspirations, and everyone can be moved by the music. The film will hit theaters on November 22.

Go behind the scenes of Bad with the new special issue of PEOPLE, available here.