After its premiere on Nov. 21, the sequel to “Wicked” (2024) has finally hit theatres, leaving audiences changed for good.
Directed by Jon M. Chu, “Wicked: For Good” is the second and final part of the “Wicked” film series. Both movies are based on the original "Wicked" novel written by Gregory Maguire. After being adapted into a musical production written by Winnie Holzman and composed by Stephen Schwartz, the musical first appeared on Broadway in 2003, with the iconic Kristin Chenoweth as Glinda Upland and Idina Menzel as Elphaba Thropp.
Similar to the original musical, “Wicked: For Good” is act two of the show. However, the movie version has a run time of 137 minutes compared to the stage musical’s run time of 60 minutes for the second act.
The film features the return of Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and the equally remarkable Ariana Grande as Glinda. Both actresses deliver a beautiful performance with effortless vocals, making this more than just an adaptation movie. It explores themes that go deeper than the surface, addressing topics such as government overreach, animal cruelty and political propaganda.
The movie begins where part one leaves off, with the yellow brick road finally being laid and Elphaba being known as "The Wicked Witch of the West," being hunted by all of Oz after her disappearance. In contrast, Glinda is loved more than ever, taking up the title of "Glinda the Good."
On its surface, “Wicked: For Good” can be perceived as simply another retelling of "The Wizard of Oz." However, it is so much more. The story of Glinda and Elphaba is deeply enchanting, uncovering themes of prejudice, social injustice, destiny and the power of perspective. Despite its depth, the film remains light-hearted, making it accessible to audiences of all ages.
The film also includes many of the classic songs from the original musical, including “As Long As You’re Mine,” which features Jonathan Bailey as Prince Fiyero, “No Good Deed,” and of course, “For Good.” Each song, sung by Bailey, Grande and Erivo, were guaranteed to do the original songs more than justice.
There are also two more ballads that are not originally from the Broadway musical: “The Girl in the Bubble” sung by Grande and “No Place Like Home” sung by Erivo. They are both fantastic, adding a new, dynamic perspective from each character.
As Glinda would say, this film was absolutely “thrillifying.” The cinematography in the film is captivating, bringing “Wicked” and the Oz universe to life. The performances by Erivo and Grande couldn’t have been more well done, as both women completely embodied everything that makes Elphaba and Glinda so loveable: their fighting spirit, a friendship that defies all odds and a mutual love that conquers all.
4.7/5 - A beautiful story about the pursuit of good.
I would recommend “Wicked: For Good” to anyone who enjoys whimsical, bubbly stories paired with thought-provoking ideas. While the film has every component of a heart-warming musical, it explores a variety of different sociopolitical issues that plague today's society. The film navigates deeper topics; however, the themes of friendship, identity and loyalty resonate with audiences of all ages. It is worth noting that the film includes 11 songs that make up most of its dialogue, so if musicals aren’t your thing, this may not be the movie for you. However, I would strongly encourage everyone to give the film a chance. Whether one is looking for an uplifting tale with great music or a story that leaves a person thinking more profoundly about this world, “Wicked: For Good” has it all.
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Chloe Glass, sophomore majoring in English language arts education, is from Daphne, Alabama. She has been with The Auburn Plainsman since the fall of 2025.
