Everyone has not stopped talking about the Wicked franchise ever since the second part released in November 2025. Does the sequel live up to the legacy of the first film?
By: Emily Drivick and Gianna Liantonio
While “Wicked Part 1” offers viewers a fantasy world to escape to in this film, “Wicked: For Good” exposes what lurks beneath the surface in Oz.
Personally, I thoroughly enjoyed this film. It has been receiving some hate online because it supposedly doesn’t exceed the levels of popularity as the first film. However, I believe that the dark and serious tones of “Wicked: For Good” are crucial to balance out the happy, whimsical elements of the first movie.
I found it fascinating how Oz is built on lies. In the first film, the Wizard of Oz is revealed to be a fraud, and now Madame Morrible is controlling the narrative as Press Secretary. Through the use of false propaganda, Elphaba is being blamed for all of the evil spreading around Oz. She is advertised as “The Wicked Witch of the West.” The Emerald City is painted to be this stunning, perfect landscape, yet there are dark secrets beneath its walls.
The cast of “Wicked: For Good” did a fantastic job portraying their characters once again. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande’s bond is unmatched both on and off the screen. Additionally, Jonathan Bailey’s Fiyero is as charming as ever!
Ethan Slater’s performance as Boq/The Tin Man was surprisingly strong. In the second film, his character has more depth as his storyline develops. His acting and vocal range in “March of the Witch Hunters” is impressive. His rage towards the Wicked Witch is palpable, and I wish he received more screen time.
Both movies were filmed all at once, scenes between parts one and two done simultaneously, which shows how truly talented everyone is. The second part is supposed to be two years later after the events of part one, and the cast portrayed that time jump effortlessly.
We see the different lives of Glinda and Elphaba, one living a glamorous life in the Emerald City while one is in hiding while guards are on the hunt for her. “No Place Like Home” is one out of the two new songs Stephen Schwartz has written for the movie. In this song, Elphaba captures the complicated feeling of loving a place that has never loved nor accepted her. She sings this after finding animals escaping underground, including her childhood nanny Dulcetbear.
We see a first look at the well known Cowardly Lion who blames Elphaba for “taking him” from the only home he has ever known when she and Fiyero saved him as a cub in part one. This would be one of the first good deeds that she wouldn’t suspect would have consequences.
I liked that even though on the surface Glinda seems happy, inside she misses her best friend and wishes everything could go back to the way it was. It is true she couldn’t resist the gowns and the praise, but we see her character develop through the movie. It was particularly interesting to explore a part of Glinda’s childhood in the movie as well. Her life appears perfect, but she has been performing to please others starting at a young age.
I loved the production of “Thank Goodness/I Couldn’t Be Happier” not only seeing Glinda’s acting but Fiyero’s as well, pretending they are as against “The Wicked Witch” as everyone else. Everything is colorful down to Glinda’s gown, but deep down they miss their friend and don’t want to hear any of the horrible things being said about her.
In Schwartz’s new song “The Girl in the Bubble” which Ariana sang beautifully and truly captured the emotions evoked through the song. She decides she was done living this charade of “Glinda the Good” when she didn’t feel truly good inside. The fabulous pink bubble she has been living in has finally popped and she is ready to face reality.
Fiyero and Elphaba’s romance has been blossoming from the first movie, but Elphaba was sure that Glinda was the one he wanted. I liked that through looks alone, we could tell who Fiyero was truly in love with, and it was with this love that he decided to risk it all and go with Elphaba. “As Long As You’re Mine” was done spectacularly with Cynthia and Jonathan’s voices harmonizing beautifully.
“Wicked: For Good” blends aesthetic, vibrant visuals with the harsh reality of a corrupt regime in Oz. Jon M. Chu challenges viewers to stop looking at the film through rose-colored glasses. While the movie is fun and action-packed, Elphaba and Glinda’s story is one of tragedy. Two best friends are forced apart due to societal circumstances. When Cynthia and Ariana sing “For Good”, they illuminate the power of friendship in our lives despite their separation.
Despite some minor pacing issues, “Wicked: For Good” is the perfect continuation of the first film. It made me question the true definition of what is good because it becomes manipulated by those with authority. Although Part 1 includes most of the well-known songs like “Defying Gravity” and “Popular”, the sequel is equally as important.
