The wait is over. After a year, “Wicked: For Good,” the highly anticipated conclusion to the “Wicked” film series, is back to deliver an emotional and riveting finale that fans of both the stage musical and the 2024 movie adaptation have been eagerly awaiting.
Directed once again by the visionary Jon M. Chu, this final chapter brings Elphaba and Glinda’s epic story to a poignant yet spectacular close, tying the story beautifully.
After the worldwide success of “Wicked,” which grossed a staggering $750 million and earned 10 Academy Award® nominations, including Best Picture, the second part of the musical fantasy adaptation picks up the emotional and narrative threads left by the first film. This time, Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Ariana Grande) are estranged and grappling with the consequences of their choices.
The film opens with both witches confronting the turmoil of their pasts. Elphaba, still viewed as an outcast, faces the heavy cost of her ideals and the damage left behind in Oz. Glinda, once the symbol of optimism, now struggles to balance her public role with the pain of her fractured friendship with Elphaba.
Cynthia and Ariana return with even stronger chemistry, bringing greater depth to their performances in “Wicked: For Good.” Cynthia delivers a powerful portrayal of a woman who refuses to let go of her convictions, no matter how overwhelming her struggles become. Ariana’s Glinda retains her signature charm but evolves through heartbreak, responsibility and the pressures of leadership.
Their standout performances shine even brighter alongside the charismatic presence of Jonathan Bailey, recently named 2025’s Sexiest Man Alive, whose portrayal of Prince Fiyero adds emotional weight to the story.
READ: ‘Wicked’ star Jonathan Bailey named ‘sexiest man alive’ by People magazine
The supporting cast is equally impressive, with Jeff Goldblum (Wizard) bringing his trademark humor to the role, while Michelle Yeoh (Madame Morrible) delivers elegance and authority with her scheming presence. Other returning cast members who elevate the film are Ethan Slater (Boq Woodsman) and Marissa Bode (Nessarose Thropp), sister of Elphaba.
Another thing I love about the film is how it gives real space to Oz’s Animals, giving weight to their struggles and adding emotional depth to the story.
The acting is matched by breathtaking set design and sweeping landscapes, from the vibrant Emerald City to the foreboding forests of the West, treating viewers to a true visual feast. Jon’s sweeping shots of Oz blend seamlessly with intimate, quiet moments that hit just as hard, all supported by production design and costumes that remain top-tier, no surprise, considering the first film’s Oscar wins.
Expectedly, the music is another highlight blending Stephen Schwartz’s iconic songs with new arrangements and a lush score by Schwartz and John Powell that drums up the film’s biggest emotional beats.
Cynthia’s voice soars in the film’s most emotionally charged musical numbers, with “No Good Deed” standing out as a personal favorite. And, without giving any spoilers, the “For Good” duet between Cynthia and Ariana is a moment that deserves to be truly savored—one that easily brings tears.
Overall, “Wicked: For Good” is a satisfying closure to the “Wicked” series. It is more than just a spectacle but a heartfelt conclusion about friendship, consequences and the mark we leave on others. It might be hard not to think about it after the final notes fade.
“Wicked” is based on the novel by Gregory Maguire and the story of “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.”
“Wicked: For Good” is now showing in cinemas nationwide, including Gateway Cineplex 18, the largest cinema in the country with 18 theaters across Gateway 1 and 2.
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