Wicked: For Good Review – A Bright Yet Imperfect Musical Finale

A Spectacular Finish That Shines, Stumbles, and Still Delivers Magic

Wicked: For Good is finally here, and wow — what a journey this two-part musical epic has been. The hype surrounding Wicked has felt almost old-school Hollywood, the kind where people dress up, pack theaters, and belt out songs on the way home. And while last year’s Wicked was a vibrant, fully-formed introduction, this sequel doesn’t quite reach the same magical peak. It’s dazzling, messy, emotional, confusing, and still an absolute blast to watch on the big screen.

Image source: x/Wicked

Back to Oz — Where Things Get Complicated

The story picks up with Glinda (Ariana Grande) now serving as Oz’s polished, much-loved political figurehead. Since her fallout with Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and the Wizard, she has become the face of “everything’s fine!” in Oz.

Meanwhile:

• Fiyero is now head of the royal guard, tasked with hunting down Elphaba.

• Nessarose runs Munchkinland with an iron grip.

• Boq remains her frustrated servant (and oh boy, does he get done dirty in this movie).

The film throws us back into this world at high speed — sometimes too high. It’s exciting but a bit chaotic, especially if you haven’t seen the Broadway version.

Image source: x/Wicked

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A Fun Ride… If You Already Know the Stage Musical

If you’re only familiar with The Wizard of Oz or the first Wicked film, prepare for a little confusion. This movie expects you to remember character histories, play references, and plot beats that aren’t explained here.

The result? A mix of “Ooh that’s clever!” and “Wait… why is this happening?”

Pacing: Fast, slow, weird — all at once

At 2 hours and 20 minutes, the film moves. Scenes jump rapidly, and major moments crash into musical numbers that feel more like music videos than story beats. Some sequences drag. Others feel dreamlike. And sometimes you’re left wondering if you missed a line of dialogue that would’ve tied it all together.

The relationships — especially between Elphaba and Glinda — occasionally feel undercooked, even though the emotional potential is clearly there.

Image source: x/Wicked

The Biggest Problem: The Story Just… Isn’t Built Well

The narrative structure, inherited from the stage version, remains flawed. Several plot lines don’t wrap up cleanly, and one character suffers the most: Boq. His arc ends so abruptly and unsatisfyingly that it’s almost shocking. It’s one of the most glaring weaknesses of the film.

About the Music…

The songs are enjoyable, but the film is missing its own iconic, goosebump-inducing anthem. Nothing comes close to “Defying Gravity” — and many numbers play like repeats from the first movie. It feels less like a standalone film and more like an extended encore.

The Saving Grace: Ariana Grande & Cynthia Erivo

This duo keeps the movie alive.

• Ariana Grande brings charm, sharp comedic timing, and her most confident on-screen performance yet.

• Cynthia Erivo is simply phenomenal. Her voice, presence, and emotional depth elevate every scene she’s in — even when the script around her falters.

There are moments where Erivo’s performance is incredible while the scene itself feels oddly empty, but she still owns every frame.

So… Is Wicked: For Good Worth Watching?

Absolutely — especially if you’re a fan of the first film or the musical. The ending is more bittersweet than triumphant, and it doesn’t deliver that huge, cathartic “finale punch,” but it does offer a heartfelt, meaningful wrap-up to the saga.

The epic conclusion. You’ve changed us for good New York City ✨
See Wicked: For Good only in theaters in THREE days! pic.twitter.com/JpmF7Hykex

— Wicked: For Good (@wickedmovie) November 18, 2025

It’s imperfect. It’s beautiful. It’s bizarre. It’s emotional.
And it’s still one of the most ambitious musical events Hollywood has made in years.

Wicked: For Good hits theaters on November 21.