Emotional and oh-so special, Jon M. Chu’s Wicked: For Good is a once-in-a-lifetime journey through the beyond magical world of Oz.
★★★★☆
Releasing exactly a year after Wicked, excitement and anticipation for the tale’s second (and final) instalment have been building to an all-time high. After endless behind-the-scenes teasers and record numbers of brand collaborations, eager fans are ready to be changed: for good.
Wicked: For Good follows Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) as she battles with her newly-assigned identity as the Wicked Witch of the West. As tensions rise, Ozians call for safety and protection against the Wicked Witch. We see Elphaba and Glinda (Ariana Grande) grow and change, both destroying and repairing their friendship—all for the love of Oz and those around them.
Clocking in at two hours and 17 minutes, 24 minutes shorter than its predecessor, Wicked: For Good avoids feeling rushed or underdeveloped—something fans had previously expressed concerns about, given reports that the original stage production’s second act hurries to a conclusion. In a departure from the source material, Wicked: For Good introduces two brand-new solo tracks for Elphaba and Glinda, ‘No Place Like Home’ and ‘The Girl in the Bubble’. Both songs are impactful additions, giving the characters more emotionally developed points of view. Despite the excitement of the supporting characters, Wicked: For Good successfully holds its focus on Elphaba and Glinda’s growth—not just individually, but as one powerful unit.
The appearance of Dorothy and her friends—the Cowardly Lion, Tin Man, and the Scarecrow—is enough to set hearts racing. Despite their appearances already being teased, seeing these familiar characters brought back to life on the big screen in 2025 feels like welcoming back old friends while still being fresh and exciting. Whilst The Wizard of Oz (1939) fans may have desired more from Dorothy’s character arc, the transformation of Boq and Fiyero into the Tin Man and Scarecrow still feels shocking and delivers a deep emotional hit.
The Verdict
Chu has revived Broadway’s Wicked as something genuinely authentic, effective, and morally compelling, bringing back the magical feeling felt whilst watching 1939’s The Wizard of Oz. As well as paying true homage to Wicked, the duology introduces a brand new era of fans to the unbelievable world of Oz. Closing off with a short montage including Wicked’s original poster-copy whisper, we’re left with enough passion and heart for a lifetime.
Wicked: For Good is in UK cinemas from 21 November.
Words by Mia Stapleton
Support The Indiependent
We’re trying to raise £200 a month to help cover our operational costs. This includes our ‘Writer of the Month’ awards, where we recognise the amazing work produced by our contributor team. If you’ve enjoyed reading our site, we’d really appreciate it if you could donate to The Indiependent. Whether you can give £1 or £10, you’d be making a huge difference to our small team.