Wicked: For Good has easily been one of the most anticipated releases of 2025, and just a year after Wicked, fans are finally experiencing the conclusion to Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda’s (Ariana Grande) story. The story picks up a few years after “Defying Gravity”, where Glinda has become a prominent public figure in Oz, and Elphaba is a runaway vigilante doing all she can to help the animals and form a plan to expose the true fraudulence of the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum).
However, it is essential to remember that Wicked: For Good is not a sequel, but a continuation of the original story. The first movie is everything you expect from a feel-good Broadway show; it is vibrant and full of personality. The second act is inherently darker and more political, to go into this adaption expecting something similar to the first movie discredits the wider story the musical is trying to tell. The core theme of the narrative is the true nature of good and evil, but it also explores corruption, power and social injustice. Glinda making Elphaba her project at Shiz University is fun, but the importance of Wicked is inherent in the tonal shift of the second Act.
‘Wicked’ Act 2 is almost impossible to adapt
It was always going to be a challenge to adapt Act 2 of Wicked. Unlike the first act, which is fairly self-contained at Shiz University, the second act bounces around Oz at a relentless pace. There are so many plot points crammed in, and whilst the movie has slightly more time to flesh them out, there is still a sense of whiplash trying to keep up with everything that is happening. However, this pace encapsulates the chaos and confusion occurring in Oz, and allows the more intimate moments to shine even brighter.
The tone of Wicked: For Good is hugely different from the first movie; it is moodier and much more mean-spirited. Gone is the bubble-gum whimsy, replaced with the political turmoil and instability of Oz. Whilst the relationship between Glinda and Elphaba is still the beating heart of the movie, there is something much bigger going on around them. The movie uses its large and impressive sets to explore the way the society turns Elphaba into a villain, with large banners attempting to fabricate an oppositional narrative between her and Glinda. It is difficult to watch this shift in public opinion as people turn on Elphaba. Immediately, this change sets up the new direction of Wicked: For Good and rationalises the much more isolated storylines for each character.
Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo shine in ‘Wicked: For Good’
Every single actor steps up their performance in Wicked: For Good. Ariana Grande is undeniable as Glinda, managing to keep her quirks and charm whilst highlighting the emotional shift as she realises her dreams aren’t quite what she expected. Whilst Glinda’s character heavily leaned on comedy in the first movie, Wicked: For Good demands much more of Grande as she often must show the hurt behind Glinda’s positive public persona. It is clear to see why there is Oscar buzz around her.
Cynthia Erivo’s performance is equally impressive, but much more intimate and reflective than in Wicked. There is a melancholy as she attempts to process the public perception of her whilst continuing to fit the injustices she’s sees throughout Oz. This culminates in “No Good Deed” which is the moment Erivo’s vocal power reignites, balancing rage and heartbreak effortlessly.
Jonathan Bailey and Ethan Slater are the unsung heroes of ‘Wicked: For Good’
Despite the commentary around the two leads, it is the secondary characters who deliver the most surprisingly evocative performances. Jonathan Bailey has to show a complete change in Fiyero, he is no longer the effortless schmoozer who led his fellow students to the Ozdust Ballroom. What is most impressive about his performance is his ability to let the audience into Fiyero’s psyche with just his eyes. There is something so intoxicating about his stare, particularly when he is worried about Elphaba’s safety. Throughout, Bailey shows this inexplicable desire to pursue his heart without reason in a devastating way. His chemistry with Erivo is undeniable and makes the slight lack of development in their romance melt away.
The most tragic trajectory is that of Boq (Ethan Slater), who becomes unrecognisable in Wicked: For Good. Slater already has a theatre background, and this is strikingly obvious in the sequel as he steps up his performance majorly. Despite having limited screen time, Boq turns from meek and unsure of himself to something truly terrifying. However, the intricacies of Slater’s performances are major spoilers for the movie, but it is safe to say he makes “March of the Witch Hunters” one of the most palpable moments in the movie.
‘Wicked: For Good’ Respects ‘The Wizard of Oz’
One of the most impressive aspects of the first movie is Paul Tazewell’s costume design, he even won an Oscar for it. The costuming in Wicked is vital for showing Elphaba’s character development, with her outfits getting less restrictive as she begins to feel unconfined. In the sequel, there is less exploration to be done through costumes as Elphaba reaches full confidence. However, Glinda’s status is evident through her gorgeously designed ballgowns. Similarly, the design of Fiyero’s uniform shows his duality perfectly, heightened by his removal of this façade as he strips down to his shirt in “As Long as You’re Mine.” This iteration of the Tin Man may be the scariest of any Wizard of Oz adaptation, but the scarecrow’s makeup will be like Marmite and split audiences, that first look at his straw face is funny for the wrong reasons.
The Tin Man and Scarecrow’s companions are oppositely handled. The inclusion of Dorothy is perfect, she is only ever shown as a shadow or from behind. Wicked: For Good shows as much of her as is necessary to link the story to the Wizard of Oz but doesn’t let her story overpower. The purpose of Wicked is to show that evil is never as it first appears, so we cannot see Dorothy’s perspective of Elphaba or this would be undermined. However, the cowardly lion feels strangely out of place, especially considering the build-up to announcing Colman Domingo’s casting. The character is given little importance and feels shoe-horned into the story in a way that it doesn’t on stage.
The new songs in ‘Wicked: For Good’ fall flat
The songs are Wicked’s biggest strength, and Stephen Schwartz‘s original score is surgically implanted into any musical theatre fan’s brain. Musically, Act 2 is often regarded as the weaker side of Wicked’s coin, with most of the musical’s best songs occurring before the interval. Wicked: For Good’s solution to this is giving both leads a new song each; Elphaba sings “No Place Like Home” early on, and Glinda’s “Girl in the Bubble” comes moments before the finale.
Unfortunately, these new additions stand out for the wrong reasons and feel as though they are padding the runtime. “No Place Like Home” is a fun nod to the famous quote, but it is lethargic and lacks a sense of identity. It is a shame because the small snippet of “The Wizard and I” with new lyrics feels inspired and should’ve been longer.
The biggest problem with “The Girl in the Bubble” is its placement within the story. The song comes immediately after “March of the Witch Hunters,” which feels like the build-up to the show’s crescendo. There is something uncomfortable about the change of pace that takes away from the beautiful vulnerability of Grande’s performance. Whilst the song adds more weight to Glinda’s actions leading up to “For Good,” it feels like a strange addition in terms of pace.
Wicked: For Good is a cinematic treat, and audiences will be talking about Grande and Erivo’s chemistry for years to come. It is a triumph adaptation of the notoriously weaker half of the stage show. Whilst it won’t delight fans in the same way as the original, if you allow yourself to become entrapped in the darkness, it is a hugely impressive achievement.
