I am going to be brutally honest. When I first heard that Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo were cast as Galinda and Elphaba, I wasn’t sold. This had nothing to do with them as performers, but I genuinely struggled to picture them in these roles. I’ve been a Broadway fan for most of my life and have seen Wicked on stage in New York several times over the past 23 years. I also listen to the cast recording fairly often. It’s a show that I love, and because of that, I had a lot of preconceived ideas about who could play these characters.
Next came the announcement that Wicked would be split into two films, and my skepticism only grew. Nearly every person who has seen the musical will tell you that Act One is stronger than Act Two. You might find a handful of people who disagree, but it’s rare. There are several reasons why audiences feel this way, but the biggest, in my opinion, is the music. The Act One numbers are simply more memorable and catchy. Structurally, Act Two is darker, more emotionally complex, and can feel rushed, leaving audiences wanting more and not in a good way.
So, taking both those concerns together, I was incredibly nervous about a big-screen adaptation. But Jon M. Chu managed to do the impossible: he created something that not only honors the iconic stage musical but at certain times, surpasses it. Did Wicked need to be split into two films totaling almost five hours? Probably not. Yet after seeing both parts multiple times, I genuinely don’t know how he could have told this story in a single film and achieved the same emotional and narrative impact.
Wicked: For Good concludes Elphaba’s story as it begins Galinda’s rise as the new leader of Oz. Though the musical has fewer memorable songs in its second half, the film elevates what is there. It’s hard to deny that “No Good Deed” and “For Good” are nothing short of magical. These moments stand among the film’s greatest highlights, and Grande and Erivo pour staggering amounts of emotion into their performances. They don’t just sing these songs; they completely put everything they have into them.
Story-wise, Elphaba is forced to make painful and defining choices. She must confront her feelings for Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey) and acknowledge that those feelings will impact her friendship with Galinda. And she must do all of this while continuing her mission to warn the people of Oz that the Wizard is a fraud while also wanting to save the animals of Oz. The weight on her shoulders is pretty substantial, and the film gives that emotional burden the space and development that it deserves.
Galinda also becomes a much more well rounded character in the second half. In the first film, we see the beginnings of her transformation, but for the most part, she remains rooted in the same mindset. She is charming, adored, and often desperate for validation. Wicked: For Good forces her to confront the uncomfortable truth that her need to be loved by everyone does not make her a good person. Her neediness and constant desire for attention has created distance between her and the people who matter most.
For the first time, Galinda has to accept that life is not the fairytale she always imagined. She can no longer rely on her popularity or the privileges she once took for granted. Instead, she must face the moral responsibility that comes with power. If she is going to become a true leader of Oz, she must challenge the status quo rather than uphold it. The film showcases her growing through painful self realization rather than through her image of perfection. It is quite a layered performance and Ariana Grande pulls it off with ease and emotional honesty.
Just like the first film, Wicked: For Good is stunning to look at and all of the craft work from the production design to the costumes to the hair and makeup is absolutely sublime. This is a movie where you can clearly see the work and dedication of the below the line artists. For a film that many would consider a big budget crowdpleaser, the level of detail poured into every set, edit, and costume is next level. It is hard not to admire how much artistry was involved in bringing the world of Oz to the screen.
I have always been a big fan of Jon M. Chu as a filmmaker, but with these two films, I truly believe he has outdone himself. Not only does he stay true to the source material, but he also brings the world of Oz to life in a way that feels fresh and unlike any previous adaptation of Oz. It is clear that he has a deep love for Wicked as both a book and as a musical. His direction feels like a tribute to the original while also standing out on its own. He takes several creative swings, especially in the second half, and for the most part, they pay off.
The two new songs, “The Girl in the Bubble” and “No Place Like Home,” are both perfectly fine, though ultimately not all that memorable in my opinion. That said, Grande and Erivo elevate the material with their extraordinary vocals. While neither song has fully stayed with me after seeing the film twice, I will say that “The Girl in the Bubble” stands out as the stronger of the two within the context of the film. It arrives at a critical moment in Galinda’s life, as she begins to come to terms with her new reality, and the emotion of that sequence gives the song a more meaningful impact.
In terms of criticisms, I do have to agree that the films feel longer than they need to be, especially the second part. Even though the finale covers significantly more ground than the first half, there are story arcs and characters that still feel underutilized despite the long runtime. I also found the tone of the second film a bit more inconsistent, and it does not flow quite as smoothly as the first. There are a few moments that took me out of the experience, including a scene where Madame Morrible falls into a cake. It felt stiff and overly staged. The romance between Fiyero and Elphaba, although it sparked strong reactions from audience members, came across as somewhat cheesy, almost like a supermarket romance novel brought to life. While it was not enough to diminish the film, I do feel that the tone of these moments felt so different from the rest of the story that they briefly pulled me out of it.
All that being said, I truly believe that when you watch these two films back to back, much like experiencing the Broadway musical, they become a magical and deeply rewarding journey. The more familiar you are with the source material, the easier it is to appreciate the remarkable feat that Jon M. Chu achieved with this adaptation. He did not simply recreate Wicked for the screen. He expanded it, deepened it, and, in many moments, transformed it into something that stands proudly alongside the musical that inspired it.
Are these films perfect? No, but neither is the source material. What matters is that they capture the heart, humor, and heartbreak of a story that has meant so much to so many people for more than twenty years. For fans of Wicked, this two part cinematic experience offers something rare. It allows us to return to Oz, to rediscover these characters, and to see their stories through a new lens that honors the Broadway musical while creating a film adaptation that feels fresh and new.
Rating: 9/10
Awards Buzz: Wicked: For Good will most likely get a similar amount of nominations as the first film including Best Picture, Actress for Cynthia and Supporting Actress for Ariana Grande.
