2024 was the year of the Wicked, enchanting fans with the theatrical adaptation of the 2003 stage musical of the same name. Directed by Jon M. Chu and starring Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh, and Jeff Goldblum in pivotal roles, the sequel, Wicked: For Good, is about to hit theaters on 21st November, 2025. But the big question remains: does the sequel live up to the magic of the first film, or does it lose its shine in the pursuit of cinematic spectacle? Team unstumbled watched it, and here’s our honest take.
Wicked: For Good: An Honest Review By unstumbled
About Wicked: For Good
The movie franchise is the adaptation of the 2003 hit stage musical ‘Wicked’ by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman. The musical was based on the 1995 novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire, which was itself a reimagining of L. Frank Baum’s original The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
This theatrical adaptation has been split into two parts, the first movie released in November 2024. A year later, the sequel to the movie, Wicked: For Good, is set to release in November 2025.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with the general premise of the movie, let us tell you that the first part focused on the early friendship between Elphaba, the future Wicked Witch of the West, and her dormitory roommate Galinda, who becomes Glinda the Good. The second part will focus on how Elphaba, the now demonized Wicked Witch of the West, must reunite with Glinda to transform herself, and all of Oz, for good. While we won’t reveal many details, let’s dive deep into how Part Two shines and where it falters.
Wicked: For Good – Where It Shines
Immaculate World-Building
Those who watched the first part might have had a difficult time fully grasping the reimagined world of Oz. Wicked: For Good benefits from the world-building in its first installment. The world is already built, characters are already known to the audiences, and the premise becomes familiar and more welcoming as the movie progresses.
The world of the original ‘Oz’ novel by L. Frank Baum has been wonderfully reimagined, with some iconic characters like Dorothy Gale and the Tin Man finally getting their own backstories, even if they enjoy limited screentime.
If we had the right spell, we’d definitely explore this whimsical world!
Exuberant Set Design, VFX, And Cinematography
Right from the first frame, the movie pulls you in its enchanting world, thanks to a detailed and vibrant world of Oz. The production design of Wicked: For Good is grand, layered, and immersive, though most of it is digitally enhanced and studio shot.
Be it the castle of the Wizard of Oz, the Emerald City, the gorgeous Munchkinland, or even Elphaba’s hidden retreat, each location in the movie feels ethereal and whimsical yet so lived in that you feel like you’re part of this fictional world.
The movie has nailed it, just like its predecessor, when it comes to its cinematography. The use of soft pastel pinks and lush greens, and emeralds transforms each frame into a tableau that feels almost painterly. Many shots are worthy of a pause and deserve admiration for the sheer artistry. And the special effects only add to the visual grandeur of the movie. The movie simply nails a 10/10 in the ‘visuals’ department!
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Excellent Acting Performances By The Main Cast
Wicked: For Good’s greatest strength lies in its strong performances, especially by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. While Grande had little room to showcase her acting chops in this movie, she shines bright in scenes that demand her vulnerability and an ethereal, doll-like charisma.
Cynthia, on the other hand, is the tour de force of the movie. She commands an electrifying screen presence from the very first frame and maintains that presence till her last scene. Her resilience, resistance, and sheer determination to fight for a cause shine brilliantly.
Vocally, both actors hit it out of the park, yet again. In fact, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that the two carry this movie’s soundtrack on their capable shoulders. Both actors display equally mesmerizing vocal range, with Ariana Grande’s “I’m Not That Girl” and “The Girl in the Bubble” and Cynthia Erivo’s “No Good Deed” staying with you long after the credits roll.
Jonathan Bailey’s Fiyero is charming and affable, though his minimal screen time and lukewarm chemistry with Elphaba do him no favors. Michelle Yeoh’s Miss Morrible will remind you of a borderline ‘Miranda Priestly’ energy that fits the character beautifully. Jeff Goldblum, Ethan Slater, and newcomer Marissa Bode round out the cast with commendable performances, with Bode making an especially impressive debut.
Wicked: For Good – Where It Falters
Too Many Songs
While we fully understand the concept of a ‘musical’, the movie, in our opinion, could hardly catch a breather between two songs. Some scenes might have resonated more deeply with grounded dialogue instead of stylized lyrical numbers. Though most songs serve the plot and move the narrative, they lack some of the sonic impact of those in the first film.
Stretched Runtime
The Broadway musical, from which the movie has been adapted, was itself about 2 hours 45 minutes long. However, the makers of the movie decided to further split the movie into two installments, each with more than a 2-hour-runtime. What this does is ultimately bloat the runtime, easily making it overwhelming as you wait for the movie to end quickly. Wicked: For Good could’ve easily chopped down close to 15 to 20 minutes and possibly had a more emotionally resounding impact.
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Watch Or Skip: The Final Verdict
Wicked: For Good, despite its endless songbook and bloated runtime, is worthy of a theater experience. In fact, with the movie releasing in IMAX and IMAX 3D formats, you must not miss out on the deliciously indulgent experience this movie promises. Made for big-screen viewing, watch Wicked: For Good for its immaculate world-building, larger-than-life set design, commendable performances, and a mostly emotionally grounded screenplay. When are you watching it in theaters?
