Wicked: For Good 2025 Review

Wicked: For Good is the long-awaited follow-up to the first Wicked movie and the final piece of the adaptation based on the Broadway musical. The first film ended right around the intermission of the stage show, and this one picks up immediately after. The continuation has plenty to admire, with strong visuals, beautiful set design, and emotional moments that land when they need to, but it also has a few issues that make it slightly less memorable than its predecessor.

Visually, the film is a standout. The CGI work is crisp and immersive, the sets are grand and detailed, and the costume design continues to impress. Everything feels like it belongs in the world of Oz, with richer colours and darker tones that reflect the heavier second half of the story. It feels like the filmmakers were given room to play, and you can see the effort in every frame. The same goes for the music. The core songs from the stage production remain showstoppers, especially pieces like No Good Deed, As Long As You’re Mine, and For Good. They’re performed with heart and polish, and they hit with the right emotional weight. The film also includes two original songs written for this adaptation, which fit surprisingly well. While they may not become all-time fan favourites, they do not pull you out of the story and feel like natural additions.

This second chapter feels darker, both emotionally and thematically. There is less of the bubbly energy that made the first half so engaging, which is fitting for where the story goes, but it also creates a tonal shift that some viewers might find jarring. It is clear this is Glinda’s story more than Elphaba’s this time around. While Cynthia Erivo continues to bring power and pain to Elphaba, Ariana Grande’s Glinda becomes the primary viewpoint. Grande manages to bring both vulnerability and poise to her role, and her character development throughout this instalment is handled with care. She moves from naive optimism to someone forced to carry the weight of public perception, and her performance sells that transformation.

One of the major issues with this second film is how much it sidelines the supporting cast. In the first movie, characters like Boq, Nessarose, and Fiyero had defined personalities and moments to shine. Here, their roles are drastically reduced. Boq and Nessa barely register, with very few lines between them, and Fiyero’s development feels rushed. He plays a critical role in Elphaba’s journey, yet the film doesn’t give him enough screen time to build the connection or deepen the stakes. Even Bowen Yang’s character Pfannee, who added some great levity and flair in the first part, is almost entirely absent in this one. It makes the world feel less lived in and strips the ensemble of its strength. That absence leaves a noticeable gap. The film spends so much time focusing on Elphaba and Glinda that the world around them starts to feel small, which is a shame considering how rich and layered the supporting cast was previously.

Despite that, the acting from the main cast holds the story together. Cynthia Erivo is still the emotional anchor of the film. Her performance in No Good Deed is a clear highlight, showcasing a mix of rage, heartbreak, and determination. Ariana Grande handles Glinda’s heavier scenes well. She still brings the sparkle and charm from the first film, but it is her quieter moments of reflection and grief that really stand out. Her chemistry with Erivo continues to work, even if they have fewer scenes together this time. Michelle Yeoh once again delivers as Madame Morrible. She brings a subtle menace to the role, managing to be both intimidating and calculating without ever going over the top. Jeff Goldblum is memorable as the Wizard, with a performance that walks the line between charismatic showman and manipulative figurehead. His scenes are layered with charm and quiet threat, and he makes the most of every moment he is given.

One of the strengths of this instalment is how it brings the narrative closer to The Wizard of Oz while still keeping its own voice. The connections are woven in well, and the transition feels earned, even if it sometimes moves too quickly. There are moments that feel like they deserved more time, especially toward the end when revelations come rapidly and the emotional climax is packed into a tight final sequence. While the beats are all there, a few scenes could have used more breathing room. The emotional weight of the ending still hits, particularly during For Good, which remains one of the most moving duets in musical theatre. The way it’s staged here is intimate and sincere, and it gives a proper farewell to both leads.

The shift in tone from the first movie is expected, but it does leave some of the earlier charm behind. This is a more serious, more mature film, which matches the source material, but it also loses some of the joy and warmth that made the first part so appealing. The absence of the ensemble energy and the faster pace toward the end make the world feel a little more hollow than it should. That said, there are still moments that soar. When the emotional beats land, they land hard. The visual storytelling is consistently strong. The production design is stunning, and the performances from the lead cast keep the film grounded.

Wicked: For Good delivers a satisfying conclusion to the story, even if it does not completely recapture the magic of the first film. It is a visually rich and emotionally grounded final chapter with standout performances, stunning design, and strong direction, but the reduced role of the supporting cast and the slightly rushed pacing prevent it from being as impactful as it could have been. It is still a moving and worthwhile film, particularly for fans of the musical, and it brings the story of Elphaba and Glinda to a close with heart and spectacle. I give it a 7 out of 10.