I Have Been Changed

Review of “Wicked: For Good”

Photo from Heute.at / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Released on Nov. 21, 2025, “Wicked: For Good” concludes the on-screen adaptation of the beloved Broadway Musical. After the events of the first film, Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) is now publicly framed as the Wicked Witch of the West, while Glinda (Ariana Grande) rises to fame as the celebrated good witch. The story follows how both characters handle their different roles in the politically corrupt setting of Oz. Directed by Jon M. Chu, the film debuted even bigger at the box office than part one. The acting, singing and cinematography were phenomenal; however, the overall conclusion and pacing lacked the rhythm of the first film. It didn't hold my attention as well as the first part, but it still had noteworthy strengths. 

The movie’s conclusion, while not disappointing, didn’t leave me overly impressed. The emotional themes of the film worked, though the pacing felt slower than the first film. It first opens with the mistreatment of animals to  set up Elphaba’s final arc, which is her fight for justice to uncorrupt Oz. Parallels to part one, such as the Munchkinland opening and Glinda’s brief reprise of “What Is This Feeling,” were enjoyable. Elphaba’s choice to leave Oz felt realistic because of her acceptance of understanding that reputations are hard to change and that staying would harm both herself and those she loves. Her decision to leave, allowing Oz to flourish without her, was bittersweet. Also, Glinda’s gain of magic after she commits to genuinely doing good, added emotional weight to her character arc. The final montage of Elphaba and Glinda in a field, paired with a rising melody of “No One Mourns The Wicked,” gives a soft and reflective farewell. The conclusion of the film was simple and heartfelt but still effective. Though not as compelling  as the first movie, the conclusion thoughtfully handled the characters' journeys. 

The performances were easily the highlight. Every actor portrayed their character’s development artfully. Boq’s reveal was incredibly effective, scary and cool. Nessarose’s actress captured the character’s controlling and selfish traits perfectly, making her annoying to watch. Grande’s acting in the scene where she learns of Elphaba and Fiyero's relationship was raw, especially her zoned-out, dissociated look afterward. The singing in “As Long As Your Mine” was a delight and Erivo’s desperation in “No Good Deed” was a powerful and awe-worthy performance. Michelle Yeoh’s Madame Morrible stood out with her aggressive demeanor and impressive spell movements inspired by martial-arts. Jonathan Bailey’s Fiyero was great at acting desperation and showing his character’s new disregard for his image. The complex relationship between Glinda and Elphaba, from raw love to trash talk, felt honest and real. Their duet “For Good” was an emotional high point, with both actresses delivering tearful and heartfelt performances.

Visually, the movie was stunning. The coloring at the start felt less vivid than the first film, reflecting the darker tone. The grandeur of Emerald City felt unreal and breathtaking. The alternating scenes of Glinda’s bright wedding and the dark visuals during Elphaba discovering the locked-up animals expertly contrasted the superficial propaganda of Oz with the harsh reality. The forest scenes of Elphaba’s home and overall set designs were beautiful. One of the most memorable shots to me was the final scene between Elphaba and Glinda where they both press against opposite sides of the door, visible to the audience but unseen by each other, perfectly capturing the heartbreak. The cinematography elevated the story significantly. 

“Wicked: For Good” stands out with strong acting, lovely singing and beautiful cinematography. While the pacing and conclusion didn't fully hold my attention, the performances and emotional themes and journeys of the characters made it an emotionally enjoyable experience overall.

<Star Rating>

Plot Development: ★★★★★

Acting/Singing: ★★★★★

Cinematography: ★★★★★

Overall: ★★★★★