Released to theaters on Nov. 22, 2024, “Wicked” experienced immense commercial successes, setting a new record for the highest-grossing movie adaptation of a Broadway musical on Dec. 29 when the film hit the $634.4 million mark at the worldwide box office. The first film dazzled with intricate costume designs, heartfelt ballads by Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Ariana Grande) and flawless dance performances. Many “Wicked” fans counted down the days until they could once again join their favorite characters in the sprawling streets of the Emerald City or the colorful fields in Munchkin Land in “Wicked: For Good.”
“Wicked: For Good,” introduced to theaters on Nov. 21, 2025, picks up where “Wicked” left off, with Elphaba on the run while Madam Morrible (Michelle Yeoh) and The Wizard (Jeff Goldblum) relentlessly hunt and paint her as a dangerous enemy of the people of Oz. This is because she has discovered The Wizard’s secret and heavy involvement in the cruel treatment of the animals in the kingdom. Still, Elphaba continues to stand up for the animals in Oz while hatching a plan to expose The Wizard once and for all. Meanwhile, Glinda finds herself in the position of “The Good Witch,” the face of a smear campaign attempting to oppose the influence of Elphaba, “The Wicked Witch of The West.”
Throughout the film, Glinda finds herself torn between helping her friend or living the life she always dreamed of as an adored public figure. As the hatred towards Elphaba escalates, Glinda becomes increasingly aware of the corruption within Oz, and the two characters must decide whether to continue to fight for what they believe in or fulfill societal expectations in a kingdom built upon false truths.
“Wicked: For Good” builds upon the first film’s elaborate, bright and fantastical world building, keeping the same fairy-tale atmosphere. The forest where Elphaba hides out is especially stunning; a hidden alcove laden with old winding trees and lush forest canopy creates a magical treehouse — like a home that could have been plucked straight out of a childhood dream. While some fans are complaining that the darker lighting makes the film seem less light-hearted than the original, the dimmer scenery reflects the more dire, depressing circumstances in the second film.
The costume design also remains exquisite, as demonstrated by Elphaba’s flowing ensemble, Fiyero’s (Jonathan Bailey) intricate gold and green officer uniform and the life-like costume of the Tin Man (Ethan Slater). Although “Wicked: For Good” contains fewer heavy hitters than “Wicked,” such as “Defying Gravity,” each song still compelled viewers to sing along.
Rather than only focusing on the storyline of Dorothy’s journey commonly found in Wizard of Oz films, “Wicked: For Good” focuses on the changing relationship between Elphaba and Glinda, as well as the development of characters that have traditionally been pushed to the side. For example, we can see how Elphaba is not simply wicked, she is a two-dimensional character that is discriminated against. As she is painted as “different” by society, her actions are driven by a deep-seeded need to protect and defend those she cares for. The flying monkeys are not simply soldiers, they desire the autonomy that The Wizard took from them. No character is without flaws that they need to overcome, which makes their journeys and growth throughout the film realistic.
While the development of some characters was enjoyable, other characters’ personalities lacked the complexity that they had in “Wicked.” Nesserose (Marissa Bode), Elphaba’s sister, has limited traits, as she desperately wants to “fit in” and is never secure in her relationships. Glinda lost the humor and sparkle prevalent in the first film, now a symbol of obedience rather than a character with her own beliefs.
There were also a few plot holes, with the ending events and some of the characters’ decisions seeming nonsensical, including Fiyero’s refusal to easily save himself in numerous dangerous situations. Parts of the story should have been explored further, while others were more drawn out than needed.
One enjoyable aspect of the film was the nuance behind some of the political commentary. Specifically, we see parallels between the blaming, forceful removal of the animals and the discrimination of minority groups by those in power that we still see in today’s society. These themes are a nod to the original play, which contains similar messages. Overall, “Wicked: For Good” was a successful sequel to “Wicked,” keeping the same positive aspects while exploring ideas that the first film only scratched the surface of.
Rating: 4.5/5
