Film Theory: Willy Wonka Is A Serial Killer

 

Willy Wonka is an iconic character who has grown to having his own cult-like following. Whether it was Gene Wilder or Johnny Depp we all have a favorite. However their role as Willy Wonka may be darker than what it appears on the surface. There is a theory that states that Willy Wonka is in fact a Serial Killer who targets children.

The theory is based on the idea that Willy Wonka intentionally chooses his victims for the tour. That he intentionally tempted them with their weaknesses all which would lead to their deaths. Augustus Gloop is sucked into a chocolate river, Violet Beauregarde is turned into a human blueberry. And Veruca Salt is thrown down a garbage chute. 

The theory states that he purposefully picked these children. These children were mean and rude, who were obsessed with their own selves and just overall bad people. Wonka may have felt he was doing the world a favor by getting rid of these people. Augustus was a gluttonous young boy whose only thoughts were that of what his next meal will be. Veruca is a spoiled brat whose money and bad manners can be seen from a mile away. Wonka most likely saw these people as the adults they were going to turn into. Just plain, bad people and by killing them off he was doing the world a favor. 

Another clue to this dark side of Wonka is his attitude to the deaths of the children. He is mostly apathetic and has this persona of not really caring. He had no concern for their wellbeing.  This is corroborated by the actions of the Oompa Loompas who sing songs about the immortality of each child and are unfazed by the plight of the children. Their job was to clean up after the murders of those children and with their attitudes it appears as though they were used to it.

The question rises, though. If all these children were bad, horrible people why was Charlie invited? Charlie was a good natured, polite, humble boy who didn’t have a bad bone in his body so why was he invited? The theory states that Wonka may have wanted to see if poor children could be just as mean and greedy as wealthy ones. However this brings up the point: Charlie survived the factory and has inherited the business so does this mean that Wonka will be training him to be a serial killer, too? We will probably never know but the idea is still rather entertaining.