Before heading to the advance screening of Wicked: For Good, I treated myself to a rewatch of the first film just to make sure I was fully caught up on the magic. I’m glad I did, because this new chapter sweeps you in from the very first scene and never loosens its grip. It’s rare for a movie to hold my complete attention, but this one absolutely did.
Cynthia Erivo is mesmerizing as Elphaba. From the moment she appears on screen, she pulls you straight into her world still searching for belonging, for peace, for love, and constantly misunderstood. Her journey is emotional and heavy at times, and you can’t help but root for her with your whole heart.
Then enters Ariana Grande as Glinda, shimmering in every way. She brings charm, humor, and vulnerability to the Good Witch while also revealing the insecurities she hides beneath all that beauty and sparkle. She’s longing for love too but from the wrong person and her slightly condescending nature adds an interesting complexity to her character.
What struck me most was how the townspeople had been manipulated into believing Elphaba was wicked, when the truth was so far from it. Watching her battle lies, loneliness, and judgment hits close to home. It’s a reminder of how often we make assumptions about others especially in today’s social media world without knowing the real story behind the scenes.
Even with her magical abilities, Elphaba feels heartbreak just like anyone else. Meanwhile, Glinda has everything many people dream of: beauty, privilege, admiration but even she can’t buy the love she wants most. It’s such a powerful contrast.
The film itself is stunning breathtaking cinematography, a storyline that’s easy to follow but rich with emotion, and performances that shine. Standouts for me were Jeff Goldblum as The Wizard, bringing charm and chaos with ease, and Marissa Bode as Nessarose, who delivered a quietly powerful performance full of longing and conflict. Jonathan Bailey as Prince Fiyero was another highlight once he sees Elphaba for who she truly is, the chemistry is undeniable. He definitely chose the right witch!
Now I HAVE to gush about the costumes. Paul Tazewell returned to work with Cynthia and Ariana, calling them his muses, and it shows. Every look was perfection rich fabrics, dramatic silhouettes, impeccable tailoring, and dazzling details. Glinda’s wardrobe especially had me swooning. The designs moved beautifully on screen and deserve every bit of praise.
Overall, Wicked: For Good was a truly magical experience emotionally full, visually spectacular, and unexpectedly surprising. The ending left me wanting more… so fingers crossed for a part three!
Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), now demonized as The Wicked Witch of the West, lives in exile, hidden within the Ozian forest while continuing her fight for the freedom of Oz’s silenced Animals and desperately trying to expose the truth she knows about The Wizard (Jeff Goldblum).
Glinda, meanwhile, has become the glamorous symbol of Goodness for all of Oz, living at the palace in Emerald City and reveling in the perks of fame and popularity. Under the instruction of Madame Morrible (Oscar® winner Michelle Yeoh), Glinda is deployed to serve as an effervescent comfort to Oz, reassuring the masses that all is well under the rule of The Wizard.
As Glinda’s stardom expands and she prepares to marry Prince Fiyero (Olivier award winner and Emmy and SAG nominee Jonathan Bailey) in a spectacular Ozian wedding, she is haunted by her separation from Elphaba. She attempts to broker a conciliation between Elphaba and The Wizard, but those efforts will fail, driving Elphaba and Glinda only further apart. The aftershocks will transform Boq (Tony nominee Ethan Slater) and Fiyero forever, and threaten the safety of Elphaba’s sister, Nessarose (Marissa Bode), when a girl from Kansas comes crashing into all their lives.
As an angry mob rises against the Wicked Witch, Glinda and Elphaba will need to come together one final time. With their singular friendship now the fulcrum of their futures, they will need to truly see each other, with honesty and empathy, if they are to change themselves, and all of Oz, for good.
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