Review: 'Wicked: For Good' (2025)

Let's get one thing straight—I wasn't exactly a fan of WICKED (2024). If it hadn't been for a digital screener of the sequel, WICKED: FOR GOOD, landing in my inbox, I’d probably have passed on this whole two-part adaptation of the Broadway musical. For clarity, this musical draws loosely from Gregory Maguire’s book, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, which I haven't read, nor have I ever seen the stage production. So, perhaps I’m not the target audience for this cinematic endeavor—maybe my opinion is just like those overpriced popcorn boxes: it doesn’t really matter, but I’m going to share it anyway.

After debuting at the top of the global box office with a whopping $223 million—making it the biggest opening ever for a Broadway musical adaptation—WICKED: FOR GOOD has unfortunately underperformed overall, raking in $200 million less than its predecessor. It's now available to buy (or more appropriately, lease) or rent on digital platforms starting December 30, courtesy of Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. With a commendable “A” Cinemascore and an audience score of 95% on Rotten Tomatoes, it’s heralded as “a sensational conclusion” by Mashable. But I find it hard to see how.

In WICKED: FOR GOOD, Elphaba and Glinda find themselves on opposing shores, adrift in the turbulent waters of their choices. Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), once a misunderstood sorceress, is now branded as the Wicked Witch of the West, living in the shadows of her exile. Her mission to expose the duplicitous nature of The Wizard drives her deeper into the margins of Oz.

Meanwhile, Glinda (Ariana Grande) has transformed into a dazzling icon of virtue, basking in a spotlight that often blinds her to the reality lurking beneath her glittering facade. As she revels in the perks of fame—think designer gowns and endless admiration—her heart beats with an emptiness that no amount of applause can fill.

But when a naive girl from Kansas crashes into their meticulously constructed lives, the once-estranged witches are forced to confront not only each other but also the true depths of their souls.

EXCLUSIVE BONUS FEATURES AVAILABLE WHEN YOU PURCHASE AT PARTICIPATING RETAILERS (*FEATURETTE ONLY AVAILABLE ON DIGITAL PRODUCT):

• SING-ALONG ALTERNATE FEATURE-LENGTH VERSION – Get ready to raise your voice and unleash the enchanting magic of Oz! Sing your heart out with the characters as Elphaba and Glinda’s incredible journey unfolds in the captivating Sing-Along Edition of WICKED: FOR GOOD.

• DELETED SCENES
• Brick Making - A musical montage shows Munchkins busily shaping and painting brilliant golden bricks, bringing the Yellow Brick Road to life.
• Glinda Train Tour - As Glinda leaves Emerald City, the citizens erupt into musical fanfare, sending her off with radiant cheers and lavish celebration.
• Even You, Fiyero* - Elphaba retreats to her lair, wrestling with the sting of Fiyero’s betrayal and the weight of her heartbreak.
• Return to the Governor’s Mansion* - Lost and abandoned, Elphaba returns to the one place she swore she’d left behind - her childhood home.
• Friendship Montage - A lively montage unfolds as Elphaba, Glinda, Fiyero, Boq, and Nessarose spend a carefree afternoon together—playing games, laughing, and relaxing over a cheerful picnic.
• The Wizard is Sentimental - Glinda steps into her ethereal bubble to float above Emerald City, contrasted with the Wizard’s nostalgic hot air balloon ascension as he reprises “A Sentimental Man.”

• MAKING WICKED: FOR GOOD – Step behind the curtain for an exclusive look at the magic of Oz. Through never-before-seen footage and candid interviews, discover how the cast and crew brought this epic story to life—from the artistry of building Oz brick-by-brick to the challenge of filming two sweeping productions at once. A talent-led journey you won’t want to miss.

• THE TRUE WIZARD - An exploration of why Jon M. Chu was the ideal director to bring WICKED: FOR GOOD from stage to screen. See how his inventiveness as a filmmaker and passion for WICKED are key ingredients for the humanity and joy we feel in every shot.

• MORE THAN JUST A PLACE - A closer look at Elphaba's new song in WICKED: FOR GOOD. Cynthia Erivo, Jon M. Chu, Stephen Schwartz, and others reflect on its emotional resonance, Elphaba's vulnerability, and the expressive movement artists portraying the animal characters she sings to.

• THE GIRL IN THE BUBBLE - A closer look at Glinda's brand-new song for the WICKED: FOR GOOD film. Ariana Grande, Jon M. Chu, Stephen Schwartz, and more discuss how the song comes at such a pivotal moment for Glinda why filming the sequence was such a feat of technical mastery.

• KIAMO KO - Return to Kiamo Ko, where the film's climax unfolds. Cast and filmmakers reflect on Elphaba's embrace of her identity as the Wicked Witch, the poignant reunion with Glinda, and the bittersweet consequences that follow in this emotionally charged sequence.

• FEATURE COMMENTARY WITH DIRECTOR JON M. CHU

Here’s the kicker: WICKED: FOR GOOD isn't just a clunker; it’s a cinematic train wreck. The very idea of a “wicked” protagonist feels more like a bad punchline than an actual story arc. The Wicked Witch of the West is painted as a misunderstood antihero, which sounds good in theory, but here's the catch: Cynthia Erivo’s performance falls flat. Yes, she has a voice that can shatter glass, but her acting? Let's just say she’s overshadowed by her co-star Ariana Grande, who portrays Glinda. In a move that keeps the clichés rolling, Glinda is reduced to a dizzy blonde stereotype—because why add depth when you can lean on tired tropes instead?

The chemistry between Erivo and Grande, the film’s supposed emotional core, is as nonexistent. Their awkward relationship stirred up a cultural cocktail of controversy during the press tour, yet that energy never translates to the screen. Instead, we’re left with a hollow shell of camaraderie that feels as forced as a last-minute plot twist.

And let’s talk about Jon M. Chu's direction. It’s duller than a butter knife and lacks any semblance of visual flair. The costumes and set designs are uninspired; the CGI looks like it escaped from a video game from two decades ago. The writing? All over the place, like a toddler let loose with a crayon. The dialogue is so painful that it practically begs for a mercy killing, while the songs blend together in a cacophony of mediocrity—every note is like an ear-piercing screech that leaves you yearning for silence rather than a standing ovation.

Oh, and let’s not forget the tepid cameo of Dorothy Gale. Her inclusion does nothing to enhance the storyline. The ending twist? A slap in the face to L. Frank Baum, who, I imagine, is rolling in his grave, clutching his original text like a security blanket amid this Hollywood catastrophe.

So, here’s my honest take on WICKED: FOR GOOD. If you adore it, I salute you—everyone has their own taste. But through my eyes, this film is a shaky, poorly crafted house of cards that somehow garnered award nominations, a testament to Hollywood’s deeply flawed political dynamics. I've shared my two cents. If you still want to watch it, by all means, do. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you. ╌★½✰✰✰

〜B.J. Burgess