As a massive fan of Wicked, I had high hopes for this sequel, and I was not disappointed and the year-long wait and anticipation were worth it.
The screenplay once again comes from Winnie Holzman author of Wicked: The Complete Book and Lyrics of the Broadway Musical (a softened adaptation of Gregory Maguire’s darker and political original novel) and Dana Fox.
Where Wicked embraced the sparkle of the musical, For Good is richer, darker, and more emotionally sophisticated. The political undertones are evident, yet never overwhelming.
For Good asks us to reconsider the idea of “good” and “wicked,” and illuminates how those in power can twist narratives.
Brilliant Casting
Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are extraordinary together, their contrasting energies forming the emotional spine of the film.
Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba is fierce yet fragile, her voice soaring with righteous conviction. Ariana Grande’s Glinda balances shimmering charm with delicate vulnerability.
Jonathan Bailey (Olivier award winner and Emmy and SAG nominee) who plays Prince Fiyero, was recently crowned People magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive.
Expanded story and new songs
With a total production budget of $300 million, the two-part film adaptation is nearly five hours long, with a richer storyline and deeper character arcs than the stage musical.
Whilst Wicked closely follows Act 1 of the stage musical, For Good expands its world dramatically.
Grammy and Oscar-winning composer Stephen Schwartz’s, score remains the soul of this film. Stephen Schwartz balances the Broadway showstoppers with two new cinematic additions—Ariana Grande’s introspective “The Girl in the Bubble” and Cynthia Erivo’s stirring “No Place Like Home.”
Spoiler Alert: A tale of two witches, pulled apart by power and propaganda
The ending of Wicked saw Elphaba defy the Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum). In For Good she is now branded Wicked Witch of the West by Madame Morrible’s (Michelle Yeoh) ruthless propaganda against her. Elphaba lives in hiding in the Ozian forest, crusading for the silenced Animals of Oz.
Glinda, meanwhile, has become the glamorous ‘Glinda for Good’ living at the Emerald City palace with the perks of the fame and popularity she always dreamt of. She is manipulated by Madame Morrible (Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh), to serve as the Wizard’s spokesperson of the supposed ‘good’ he is doing in protecting the people of Oz.
Elphaba visits Glinda as she prepares to marry Fiyero in a spectacular Ozian wedding. Elphaba forces Glinda to consider the true intentions of the Wizard and Morrible. Convinced she can help, Glinda attempts to broker a reconciliation with The Wizard. In his usual trickster style, the Wizard appears to comply with Elphaba’s wishes until the real truth surfaces and all hell breaks loose. This starts the unexpected chain of events that ensues.
Subtle connection to The Wizard of Oz
Whilst Dorothy plays a key role in Nessa and Elphaba’s demise in For Good, her presence remains minimal throughout the film. The film is clever in its subtle connection to Wizard of Oz without overshadowing Elphaba’s story.
Love and heartbreak
The romantic tension between Fiyero and Elphaba finally ignites in “As Long As You’re Mine”, adding a passionate and romantic thread to the film. Fiyero and Elphaba’s union is tainted with the tragedy of Fiyero’s transformation and the two being forced to flee Oz.
Glinda experiences several heartbreaking events in the film. She is devastated when Fiyero leaves her for Elphaba on her wedding day, a betrayal by the two people she loves most. Next is her bittersweet victory of becoming ‘The Good Witch’ at great personal cost. Later she is forced to put on a facade of joy and publicly celebrate Elphaba’s death with the people of Oz.
Nessa’s (Marissa Bode) tragic arc unravels in parallel, tangled in jealousy, longing and resentment towards Boq (Slater), whose destiny intertwines fatefully with hers.
Darker tone, but still visually spectacular
Director Jon M. Chu once again delivers a spectacular world: shimmering Emerald City towers, dark enchanted forests and castles, opulent palace rooms and rich, colourful landscapes. Industrial Light & Magic and Framestore created over 2,200 visual effects shots, flawlessly blending CGI with elaborate practical sets.
Paul Tazewell’s costume design (Oscar-winner from Part One) continues to dazzle—glittering gowns, witchy silhouettes, and whimsical Ozian fashions. Glinda’s gowns are literal showstoppers, and the cardigan Elphaba wore in her romantic scene with Fiyoro has caused an online frenzy.
Is Wicked: For Good a hit?
The original Wicked film became the most successful Broadway-to-film adaptation in box office history, grossing $758 million worldwide and earning 10 Oscar nominations with two wins (Best Costume Design and Best Production Design).
For Good open even stronger than Wicked, its first weekend grossing $147 million domestically and $223 million worldwide. For Good is set to be a triumphant finale blockbuster.
Stream it, leave it, or leave the house for it?
To truly experience the magic of this spellbinding, emotional tale, we recommend heading out to see it on the big screen — maybe even shelling out for IMAX.
Wicked: For Good is screening in cinemas across Australia.
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