Edited by Mikkel Hyldebrandt
Photos: Universal Pictures
With Wicked: For Good, director Jon M. Chu delivers a triumphant, deeply affecting conclusion to the two-part cinematic event that redefined what a Broadway adaptation could be. If last year’s Wicked surprised audiences and critics with its emotional intelligence, dazzling spectacle, and box-office dominance, then this final chapter cements the duology as a modern classic—and quite possibly the crowning achievement in the careers of its two luminous leads, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.
Where the first film swept us up in the magic and wonder of Oz, Wicked: For Good immerses us in the heartbreak, consequences, and powerful humanity behind the myth. Picking up with Elphaba and Glinda estranged, the film wastes no time cutting into the emotional heart of their story. Their once-inseparable bond—fractured by truth, ambition, and fear—now becomes the central tension of the narrative. And it is here that Erivo and Grande deliver performances so raw, so emotionally devastating, and so beautifully calibrated that it is hard not to wonder: Will Oscar voters be able to resist?
Cynthia Erivo, already an Academy Award–nominated powerhouse, brings an aching vulnerability to Elphaba that transcends even her celebrated stage work. In exile and branded the Wicked Witch of the West, Erivo’s Elphaba is fierce, wounded, and heroic in equal measure. Her fight for Oz’s silenced Animals and her desperation to reveal the Wizard’s lies create some of the film’s most gripping moments. Every frame she occupies feels charged with intensity. Her voice—rich, soaring, heartbreaking—turns each musical number into an emotional thunderstorm.
Ariana Grande, too, delivers the finest performance of her career. Her Glinda is no longer the bubbly ingénue of Part One, but a woman forced to reckon with her choices, her privilege, and her loneliness amid fame. Grande mines the character’s contradictions with remarkable nuance: the glamorous public figure who lives for applause, and the private soul mourning the loss of her dearest friend. Her scenes under Madame Morrible’s manipulation, masterfully portrayed by Michelle Yeoh, hit especially hard. And when Grande sings, her crystalline vocals carry both the weight of regret and sparks of optimism.
The chemistry between Erivo and Grande—electric in the first film—evolves here into something deeper, more complicated, and utterly compelling. Their emotional final scenes together are among the most affecting in the entire saga, and it’s almost impossible not to shed a tear. The film’s central message—that love, empathy, and understanding can transform destinies—feels richer and more urgent than ever.
The supporting cast continues to shine: Jonathan Bailey’s Fiyero undergoes a poignant transformation; Ethan Slater’s Boq finds surprising emotional texture; and Marissa Bode brings emotional weight to Nessa’s tragic arc. Bowen Yang and Bronwyn James offer delightful bursts of comedy as Glinda’s devoted entourage, while Jeff Goldblum’s Wizard remains as quirky and sinister as ever.
Visually, Wicked: For Good is a marvel. Chu’s direction is sweeping yet intimate, the production design lush and immersive, and the musical sequences thrillingly staged. Stephen Schwartz’s music, paired with the sweeping score by John Powell, elevates both the spectacle and the emotional beats with impeccable precision.
Though the film is filled with magic, music, and spectacle, it’s the emotional core—the cost of truth, the pain of separation, and the courage to see one another fully—that lingers long after the credits roll.
As award season approaches, it’s impossible not to imagine Wicked: For Good making a major impact. The first film earned 10 Oscar nominations and two wins, and with this finale’s deeper emotional resonance and powerhouse performances, it’s not unreasonable to ask: Could Oscars be waiting for Cynthia Erivo or Ariana Grande? Their work here is that extraordinary—career-defining, even history-making.
With its combination of cinematic wonder, emotional depth, and unforgettable performances, Wicked: For Good is not just a worthy finale—it is a soaring, spellbinding masterpiece destined to enchant audiences (and awards voters) for good.
