With the release of “Wicked: For Good” to theaters on November 21, 2025, audiences returned to the magical world of Oz, where the familiar story continues with a shift in themes and a greater emotional depth than ever.
Along with the first film “Wicked,” “Wicked: For Good” originates from Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West,” and follows the plot of the wildly successful and beloved Broadway musical, “Wicked,” which opened in 2003.
“Wicked” is the fourth-longest running Broadway musical, with over 8,000 performances and counting. The story is a prequel to the beloved 1900 novel and 1939 film “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” by L. Frank Baum.
The first “Wicked” movie follows the unlikely friendship between the good witch, Glinda and the Wicked Witch of the West, Elphaba. The film highlights how misunderstandings and power influence Elphaba as she begins to turn into the Wicked Witch of the West that the world only knows her to be.
Returning to their roles, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande once again lead this magical story as Elphaba and Glinda and deliver performances that reflect the changes and growth of both characters since the first film.
Throughout “Wicked for Good,” Elphaba fully shows her role as an outcast and a rebel in society. She firmly stands by her beliefs, even though she becomes increasingly misunderstood. Oz turns against her, and she sacrifices her reputation, and most importantly, her relationships. In this film she begins to embrace the identity of the “Wicked Witch” in order to protect others and remain true to herself and her beliefs.
On the other hand, Glinda takes advantage of her public power as she begins to rise as an important figure of Oz. She constantly faces the dilemma of choosing what is safe or what is right. As she maintains her image of the good witch, she struggles deep down with guilt and conflict as she realizes the cost of her choices.
As the movie progresses, the characters from “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” are woven into the plot, further connecting the story of Elphaba and Glinda to the journey audiences know and love, and reconnecting them with the original film and novel.
Tragedy strikes as Elphaba is constantly blamed for her actions that she committed unintentionally, and meaning well. This is especially represented in scenes where the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion both turn against her, not knowing the truth behind her actions.
The energy and liveliness from the first movie is carried into “Wicked: For Good,” but this time I sensed a bit more darkness and emotion than before. The track “No Good Deed,” for example, shows the frustration Elphaba experiences, due to being constantly misunderstood. Many of the ensemble numbers and city-wide songs have a darker and more ominous tone to them this time around.
The film successfully expands the story without taking away from the original “Wizard of Oz.” Instead a new amount of depth was added to familiar characters like the Tin Man and the Scarecrow – making their transformations more meaningful.
I appreciated that Elphaba and Glinda’s story was the main focus of the movie, rather than retelling the story through the eyes of Dorothy’s, which could have created conflict and risked of unwanted change to the original story audiences know and love.
Cynthia Erivo’s performance as Elphaba was highlighted more in this film than the first. “Wicked” part one mainly focused on both main characters, Elphaba and Glinda, who really developed their relationship as friends, despite their differences. In “Wicked: For Good” audiences see why society blames Elphaba, and the motivation behind her transformation into the “wicked” figure that she becomes.
Overall, “Wicked” part two continues to challenge the idea of who is truly evil or good in Oz. Elphaba’s journey as the wicked witch becomes even more emotional as she stands up for what she believes is right, while Glinda struggles with her role as the good witch that was built on a system of lies. The dark setting and tone of the film shows fans the true stories behind the characters.
