In one sentence: Wicked: For Good follows Elphaba and Glinda as the consequences of their choices reshape their friendship and their place in Oz.

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One year after Wicked cast its spell over cinemas, its second instalment, Wicked: For Good, has arrived to mixed critical reactions. I would take some of these with a pinch of salt as many reviewers seem to have approached it as a traditional sequel rather than what it truly is: the second act of the stage musical, expanded for film.

I was curious to see how the darker themes of act two would translate to the screen and, for the most part, the film handles them well. It does not quite recapture the excitement or momentum of act one, but this a common observation about the stage version too. That said, act two boasts some of the show’s strongest songs, including As Long as You’re Mine, No Good Deed and of course For Good, and the film gives each of them space to soar.

The story picks up some time after the events of part one. Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) has been cast out as a pariah after discovering that the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum) is nothing more than a fraud. The citizens of Oz have been turned against her through fear and propaganda and the myth of the Wicked Witch of the West grows. Glinda (Ariana Grande) is repositioned as Glinda the Good, presented as the perfect counterpoint to Elphaba’s supposed wickedness, although we know she has neither the power nor the desire to defeat her friend. She remains with Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey) yet it is clear that his heart lies with Elphaba. The film navigates themes of friendship, love, honesty, justice and cruelty to animals in thoughtful ways that enrich the broader mythology of Oz.

Fans were eager to know whether Dorothy would take on a larger role in this chapter. She remains essential to the plot, but her part is deliberately small and this feels right. This is not her story and her presence adds texture without distraction. It encourages viewers to revisit the source material with fresh eyes and to question long held assumptions. Characters we thought we understood are revealed to be far more complex. The film reinforces how life is rarely black and white.

Music appears less frequently in the second film and dialogue takes on a greater role to deepen character choices and relationships. The pacing is slower than part one, although when the musical numbers do arrive they are beautifully delivered. Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo once again prove themselves to be perfect casting choices; their chemistry remains electric despite fewer shared scenes and this is likely due to the two films being shot together. Their genuine affection is also evident in press interviews and red carpet appearances. Jonathan Bailey brings charm and conviction to Fiyero and shines in his romantic scenes with Elphaba, reminding audiences why he claimed People Magazine’s 2025 Sexiest Man Alive. Ethan Slater as Boq has more to do this time and handles his expanded arc well. The only noticeably misjudged casting choice is Michelle Yeoh. Her acting is fine, but her singing is markedly weaker and it stands out more in this film where she has additional musical material.

Visually, the film remains rich and immersive. The colours and textures of Oz are vivid, even as the tone grows darker. CGI is used more extensively due to the greater presence of animals and some effects are more convincing than others, although none are distracting. One element I particularly admired was the lighting, especially during the romantic sequence between Elphaba and Fiyero. Set in the gloaming, with softened outlines and shifting shapes, the atmosphere complements the emotional tone of the song beautifully.

The film is faithful to the structure and spirit of the stage musical and fans of the show will appreciate this loyalty. It champions friendship, courage and the strength to confront injustice. These are timeless messages and the film lands them in a meaningful way. It may be titled For Good, but there is a real hope that audiences will leave feeling inspired to do good.

I left the cinema humming the songs and I suspect many viewers will do the same.

★★★½ (3.5/5)