Wicked: For Good – Review: Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande Elevate a Visually Safe But Emotionally Soaring Second Act
Story
Wicked: For Good resumes years after the iconic cliffhanger of the first film, where Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) defied the Wizard of Oz and ascended into legend—and infamy. Now publicly branded the Wicked Witch of the West by Madame Morrible’s (Michelle Yeoh) relentless propaganda, Elphaba works from the shadows, sabotaging the Wizard’s oppressive regime while steadily losing the battle for her own reputation. Her righteous rebellion is powerful, yet the world prefers the easier story: a monster.
On the other side of the Emerald City, Glinda (Ariana Grande) embraces her role as the staged antithesis to Elphaba’s menace: Glinda the Good. She is polished, adored, and painfully aware of how much of her image is built on illusions—quite literally, thanks to the Wizard’s tech that fakes her “magic.” Her engagement to prince Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey), now a Captain tasked with capturing Elphaba, feels both real and wrong. Even as she basks in public adoration, she senses that his heart still wanders toward the woman she once called a sister.
This chapter deepens the tragedy of their divided paths as Wicked: For Good weaves its narrative into the events of The Wizard of Oz. Dorothy remains faceless, a narrative ripple rather than a character, allowing the film to keep its focus on Elphaba’s unraveling and Glinda’s internal reckoning. Their intertwined destinies form the emotional backbone of a story that honors the stage musical's spirit—sometimes too loyally for its own good.
Performances
The film’s strongest asset—by a mile—is its cast. Cynthia Erivo delivers an astonishing performance, embodying Elphaba with a mesmerizing blend of fire, vulnerability, and aching humanity. When she sings, it feels less like a performance and more like a force of nature spilling out. Erivo’s emotional gravity anchors the entire film and makes Elphaba’s descent into villainy both inevitable and heartbreaking.
Ariana Grande is equally magnetic. Her Glinda is not the bubbly caricature audiences might expect but a layered, maturing woman slowly awakening to her complicity in a system built on lies. Grande brings nuance, comedic timing, and surprising dramatic heft, especially as the story pushes her toward moral clarity. Together, Erivo and Grande radiate a chemistry that elevates their characters’ fractured friendship into something operatic.
Jonathan Bailey, as Fiyero, injects charm and conflicted sincerity, and his chemistry with both leads adds refreshing emotional tension. On the other hand, Michelle Yeoh’s Madame Morrible is the film’s weakest link. Her musical delivery feels strained, and the character’s menacing grandeur is dulled by an oddly flat performance—surprising for an actor otherwise known for commanding presence.
Still, as the emotional and musical heart of the film, Erivo and Grande carry this adaptation with ease and elevate the material beyond its structural constraints.
Technicalities
Visually, Wicked: For Good is a noticeable step up from its predecessor. Jon M. Chu gives the film richer color, bolder framing, and a more dynamic sense of movement, as if responding directly to complaints that the first installment felt overly muted. The Emerald City pulses with technicolor energy, and the surrounding landscapes feel more grounded and alive.
However, the film’s cinematic potential is often held back by Chu’s steadfast loyalty to the stage production. While this faithfulness creates a safe, fan-pleasing adaptation, it also limits narrative exploration. Moments that beg for expansion—Elphaba and Glinda’s fractured bond, Oz’s political machinery, the deeper moral contrasts—are approached dutifully rather than daringly.
The new songs, “No Place Like Home” and “The girl in the Bubble,” blend smoothly into the score thanks to stephen Schwartz’s touch, though neither leaves a lasting echo. Still, the musical set pieces are lavish and confident, reminding audiences why Wicked remains one of Broadway’s crown jewels.
As a cinematic experience, Wicked: For Good is undeniably entertaining—lush, heartfelt, and aware of its own theatricality. While it doesn’t reinvent its source material, it delivers a polished spectacle with irresistible emotional resonance.
Analysis
Wicked: For Good succeeds as a satisfying emotional counterpart to the first film. Where its predecessor was concerned with the origin of a legend, this chapter grapples with the consequences—how power shapes narratives, how public opinion destroys truth, and how friendships fracture under the weight of politics and perception.
Its greatest triumph lies in the performances, particularly Erivo and Grande, who elevate every frame. Their dynamic supplies the soul, stakes, and sadness that the script occasionally underplays. Chu’s direction is stylish, but often too reverent; the film shines brightest when it dares to lean into cinematic breadth instead of stage-locked fidelity.
Ultimately, the film is a safe but heartfelt adaptation—one that honors its roots while benefitting immensely from its extraordinary leads. Fans will adore it. Newcomers will be charmed. And the Wicked duology will stand as a celebratory, star-powered tribute to a beloved musical, even if it stops short of true reinvention.
What Works
• Cynthia Erivo’s breathtaking, awards-caliber performance
• Ariana Grande’s nuanced, emotionally rich Glinda
• Gorgeous color palette and more dynamic camerawork
• Faithful musical execution with confident staging
• Stronger emotional payoff and character arcs
• Entertaining, accessible, and visually spectacular
What Doesn’t
• Overly faithful structure limits deeper cinematic exploration
• Michelle Yeoh’s underwhelming Madame Morrible
• Some pacing drags due to strict adherence to the stage format
• New songs lack memorable punch
• Opportunity for richer world-building left unused
⭐ Ratings (Out of 5 Stars)
Story: ⭐⭐⭐½ (3.5/5)
Performances: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5/5)
Technical Craft: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Music & Staging: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Entertainment Value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5/5)
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