Why Wicked: For Good is a Flawed, but Satisfying Conclusion

Courtesy of Universal Pictures

Wicked for Good is the sequel to the 2024 hit movie Wicked, based on the popular musical. Once again directed by Jon M. Chu and starring Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathon Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, and Michelle Yeoh, Wicked for Good covers the second act of Wicked, where Elphaba is still trying to expose the Wizard of Oz, and most of Oz thinks she is a wicked witch. Wicked was one of the best movies of 2024 and was a huge sensation, so it’s no surprise Wicked for Good was one of the highly anticipated movies of 2025. How does Wicked for Good deliver?

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo are still fantastic as Galinda and Elphaba. Their chemistry, singing, and dynamic are the heart and soul of the movie. Their friendship feels strained at times due to the situations they are in, but these two characters still care for one another. They both manage to pull off serious, comedic, and emotional moments. Galinda’s arc and character development, for me, was the best part of the movie.

Overall, the entire cast does well in their roles. Jonathon Bailey as Fiyero has more to do in this movie and provides a charm and likability that makes you root for him. The love triangle aspect of the movie can drag, but it wraps up halfway through the movie. The costumes and makeup still look great and should be considered in Oscar talks. The design of Oz, from Munchkinland and Oz to dark settings like Elphaba’s castle, look great. The songs aren’t as iconic as the songs from Wicked, but they still sounded good, and Erivo and Grande sing them well. Wicked For Good also has a darker tone, but it manages to balance out the dark moments with the light moments that carry over from Wicked.

Wicked For Good mostly suffers from the second half of the movie. The first half is paced well, never felt rushed, and took its time in catching the audience up on what Galinda, Elphaba, and the other characters have been up to since the events of Wicked. Once the events based on The Wizard of Oz begin, the story feels messy and rushed at times. Warning for a minor spoiler: For example, when Dorothy leaves Munchkinland, Fiyero hasn’t officially become Scarecrow yet. There’s even a slap fight between Galinda and Elphaba right before Fiyero’s transformation. We know from the lore of The Wizard of Oz that Dorothy meets Scarecrow first when following the Yellow Brick Road to Emerald City. Fans who saw the musical Wicked have also said this is the same case with Act II, where the story is messier with interjecting The Wizard of Oz events. There are certain drastic changes to certain characters that didn’t sit well and felt forced and convenient just to fit into The Wizard of Oz portion. Perhaps if they fleshed out the second half better, maybe add an extra ten to fifteen minutes, the second half wouldn’t feel weak. Also, the fight between Galinda and Elphaba, while funny, also feels out of place considering what happens in Wicked for Good right before it.

That’s not to say the second half of Wicked For Good is bad. The production design still looks great. They make a smart, creative decision involving Dorothy where the audience never sees her face, reminding them this is still the story of Elphaba and Galinda. The final moment Elphaba and Galinda share is emotional. The ending still feels satisfying. Overall, Wicked For Good is enjoyable and satisfying, but the second half prevents this from being as good as Wicked. The acting, production design, special effects, and songs are still incredible, and I recommend you see it in theaters, especially if you’re a fan of Wicked. My final grade for Wicked For Good is a B. It’s still a fun watch at the theaters, and I plan on rewatching it when it comes out on DVD alongside Wicked for a much more wickedly fun experience.

What are your thoughts on Wicked For Good? Let us know in the comments below.