“Wicked: For Good” continues the phenomenal musical franchise, delving into the conflict of ideals and the strained relationship between the two iconic women of Oz: Elphaba and Glinda.

The cinematic adaptation of the hit Broadway musical, Wicked serves as a prequel to the classic film The Wizard of Oz (1939). The story centers on the complex friendship between two contrasting women: Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), the green-skinned girl with powerful magic who lives in isolation, and Glinda (Ariana Grande), the beautiful blonde who is beloved but yearns for fame and status.

Following the first installment released last year, the friends—who met at Shiz University—discovered that the Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum) was a fraud. This revelation forces them onto separate paths. Elphaba chooses to flee to protect justice, while Glinda decides to remain and uphold social order.

Wicked: Part Two opens amidst mounting tension. Elphaba is now branded the “Wicked Witch of the West,” living in exile and leading a resistance movement to liberate the animals whose rights are being suppressed. Conversely, Glinda becomes a symbol of goodness, adored by the public, but unknowingly serving as a mere tool for the Wizard and Madam Morrible (Michelle Yeoh).

The core conflict is not merely a battle of magic but an internal struggle between love and conviction. Prince Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey), despite being engaged to Glinda, abandons his status to run away with Elphaba, captivated by the green girl’s courage and heart. Their escape, featuring a song and a kiss, is cited as one of the film’s most emotional climaxes.

Wicked: Part Two presents a nuanced ending. Elphaba accepts the ultimate sacrifice of her reputation, faking her own death to grant Glinda freedom. While Elphaba and Fiyero secretly leave Oz to build a new life, Glinda stays. She overthrows Madam Morrible and delivers a decisive blow to the Wizard by revealing the truth: Elphaba is his biological daughter. After shattering his resolve and prompting his departure, Glinda commits to using her power to serve the people and restore equality to the animals.

The project’s major highlight is the acting. Collider noted that while the visuals provide a stunning sensory experience, the performances by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are the “heart and soul” of the film. Grande once again showcases her four-octave vocal range, notably in the song The Girl in the Bubble.

The lavish wedding scene between Glinda and Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey) carries significant emotional weight. Director Jon M. Chu revealed that Ariana Grande performed this scene on the very day she finalized her divorce from her ex-husband, Dalton Gomez. He noted that Grande channeled her personal pain into the character, explaining Glinda’s desperate gaze and tears after the wedding—the realization that she had all the glamour but lacked happiness.

The final duet, “For Good,” is lauded by Roger Ebert as the most moving moment, provoking reflection on the origins of evil and the price of kindness in a world turned upside down.

From a technical standpoint, Director Jon M. Chu successfully leverages his cinematic strengths. Variety credits the film with fixing the pacing weaknesses of the stage original, transforming the typically brief second act into a weighty, independent film. Nathan Crowley’s production design expands the world of Oz with vivid yet haunting color palettes, from the half-built Yellow Brick Road to the opulent Art Deco towers.

Despite its success, the musical blockbuster has faced mixed reviews. The New Yorker criticized the excessive runtime and inconsistencies in lighting (being too dark or too bright in places). Some critics also pointed out unfinished CGI in supporting roles and moments where the soundtrack overpowered the lyrics.

Commercially, Wicked: Part Two set several records. According to Forbes, the film achieved $226 million globally in its opening week, making it the highest-grossing Broadway musical adaptation debut ever. In North America, it secured the second-highest box office revenue of 2025. With an A CinemaScore and a 95% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, analysts predict this version could potentially reach the $1 billion mark.

VNExpress.