By Kiara Craig, November 25, 2025
“Wicked: For Good” is a delightfully faithful adaptation of the Broadway musical that provides audiences with a more intimate perspective on the more dramatic half of the “Wicked” story.
Last year’s box office hit, “Wicked,” introduced viewers to the misunderstood and magically gifted Elphaba Thropp, played by Cynthia Erivo, and the formation of the unlikely deep friendship with the ever popular and pink Galinda Upland, played by Ariana Grande. “Wicked: For Good” continues into the second act of the 2003 musical, which picks up a few years after the end of the first movie. In this time, Elphaba is now deemed the Wicked Witch of the West, while Glinda the Good Witch has a new role as a public figure puppeteered by the Wizard of Oz and Madame
Morrible. Elphaba makes attempts to spread the truth about the fraudulent Wizard of Oz, only to have her attempts painted as evil acts. Upon entry to the theater, there was buzz among viewers. Most audience members dressed in green or pink clothing, and there were even a few young girls dressed as Elphaba and Glinda repeating lyrics to the biggest songs from the first movie. This sequel had a lot to live up to following the success of the first movie.
Similar to the first movie, the visuals of this sequel are beautifully delivered.
The cinematography visually represents the constant dichotomy these two best friends lie on. Some of that is presented on the more obvious end, with pink and green banners painting either side of the screen. In other moments, it’s Glinda who has been illuminated with sunshine basking in the light, having to step into the shadows where her friend finds refuge throughout the movie.
Oscar award-winning costume designer Paul Tazewell continues to create an immersive experience for the vibrant whimsical setting through the wardrobe in the film. The jagged edges, sharp shoulders and long draping train of Elphaba’s dress juxtaposed with the smoother, flowy design of Glinda’s gown immediately informs you exactly who these characters are.
While “Wicked: For Good” has a similar fantastical atmosphere, it does not have the same type of charm as its predecessor. In the first movie, jeering and snide remarks toward Elphaba presented as social outcasting and exclusionary gossiping. In this movie, these cries of distaste are often followed with bloodthirsty guards and civilians with weapons in hand.
Even the two new original songs in the soundtrack give more insight to the emotional complications of our main characters. “No Place Like Home” performed by Erivo elaborates more on why Elphaba feels compelled to fight for change. “The Girl in the Bubble” performed by Grande gives viewers insight into Glinda’s upbringing and how it has shaped her.
These songs supplement a few glazed over questions about their motivations that may remain for audiences who watch the Broadway musical.
The second half of the “Wicked” story does not get the light-hearted tunes like the comical “Popular” or the hopeful “The Wizard and I.” Instead, these songs reflect the grim atmosphere that looms over the characters.
Though it does not have the same kind of charm, it retains appeal. The characters navigate hardships that change them, and viewers receive the satisfaction of watching how all the pieces fit together to create “The Wizard of Oz.”
Like in the Broadway musical, Dorothy is not a focal point of “Wicked.” She is a way to progress the plot of the story by taking what you think you know about Oz and flipping it around. By knowing “The Wizard of Oz” and seeing the first movie, it makes one wonder how the caring Elphaba became the type of person to lock a little girl up in a storage closet of a tower.
One of my biggest issues with the movie came from the villains of the story, The Wizard, played by Jeff Goldblum and Madame Morrible, played by Michelle Yeoh. As fearsome as the second act is, Yeoh’s Morrible didn’t give the manipulative mastermind air that the character has. Her performance in “Crazy Rich Asians” sent more chills down my spine than the moments Morrible was intended to intimidate Glinda. Goldblum also fell flat for me, the Wizard felt mild mannered more than anything else throughout a story where his luxuries as a figurehead are being uprooted.
However, these shortcomings were nearly drowned out by the stellar performances given by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.
From the moment Erivo zipped across the screen for her rendition of “No Good Deed,” breaths were immediately drawn from those sitting in the early preview theater. Her belting vocals matched the power and desperation of Elphaba in this turning point moment. Wind and dust whip around her as the music crescendos. In the beat of silence concluding the song, a brief eruption of applause came from the crowd as though we were watching it on a Broadway stage.