After defying gravity in Part One, Elphaba and Glinda return in “Wicked: For Good” bringing their journey full circle. The first movie, released in Nov 2024, adapted Act One of the hit 2003 Broadway musical. This sequel continues the story through Act Two, concluding the friendship, conflicts and political unraveling of Oz. The film also sprinkles in playful Easter eggs referencing “The Wizard of Oz”—Dorothy, the Yellow Brick Road and even the Wizard’s iconic departure.
While Part One was bright, youthful and whimsical, “Wicked: For Good” shifts into a more mature tone, giving depth to both its characters and the political turmoil shaping Oz. Several scenes touch unexpectedly close to home for me, especially as I approach the end of my senior year—when everything familiar is changing, and everyone is starting their own path.
Part Two picks up immediately after Elphaba’s fallout from the first film—her refusal to cooperate with the Wizard and her escape, which cements her reputation as the so-called villain of Oz. Glinda undergoes a transformation of her own, stepping into her new role as “Glinda the Good,” and receiving the praise, privilege, and influence Elphaba never had access to. Fiyero becomes consumed with finding Elphaba, neglecting his responsibilities in Oz. Boq remains hopelessly devoted to Glinda, stirring tension with Nessarose, who is struggling under the weight of grief and her sudden appointment as governor. Nessa’s growing resentment turns into cruelty, and Boq becomes trapped—emotionally and literally—in her orbit.
What struck me most is how every character is dealing with their own growing pains. The film includes new flashbacks to their earlier days at Shiz, the university—moments of friendship and naive optimism, where the group is simply hanging out with no idea how drastically their lives will change. Seeing those memories contrasted with their current struggles makes the story hit harder. It reinforces the film’s most sentimental and nostalgic theme: the people who shape your life—your friends, rivals and even those you lose—leave a lasting impact. They change you for the better. For good.
When the final song between Glinda and Elphaba played, I sobbed so hard in the theater—especially since I was watching the film with my longtime best friend. Although they were saying their final departures and goodbyes as friends, something that stood out to me was when Elphaba told Glinda she needed “good” to mean something, to have action. Glinda’s character has always stood out to me because she is the epitome of performatism—showcasing what good is when it is comfortable, not when it is needed. This is what makes the ending where Glinda takes on that responsibility because of the Wizard’s departure was so satisfying, as it completely tied back to the beginning of the first movie.
Although I agree the pacing and direction was a bit rushed at times, I believe the film still left the impact that was needed to get its point across. The performance between the main characters—Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande—-were phenomenal, as they both made the characters into their own and showcased sides of them that I believe could not have been shown in the broadway version. The use of flashbacks and CGI was well incorporated too, especially with scenes dating back to their high school years and even the Tin Man costume (an Easter Egg to the Wizard of Oz), providing more depth in the characters and cinematography.
“Wicked: For Good” delivers a powerful and heartfelt conclusion to a long-awaited story. While the direction and subplot were not always perfect, the film succeeds in its message: honoring the complicated, transformative bond between Elphaba and Glinda, and developing its other supporting characters.
Beyond this, what stuck with me the most was the message it carried. Watching Elphaba and Glinda navigate through change, loss and letting go felt especially meaningful, something I want everyone experiencing change (especially in their senior year) to watch and reflect on. The film captures the bittersweet truth that we will grow, separate and change—but we carry on the lessons people have taught us to shape us.
