Wicked: For Good Review: Magic Doesn’t Linger This Time In Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande’s Fantasy Drama

Wicked: For Good Review: Jon M. Chu’s Wicked: For Good picks up exactly where the first chapter left us: right at the breaking point of Elphaba’s faith in the Wizard and the fragile bond she shares with Glinda. This second instalment digs deeper into what pushed Elphaba toward her infamous label as the “Wicked Witch”, while also tracing how Glinda gradually rose into her role as the “Good” witch. The ideas are ambitious, and the world of Oz is darker, but not always in the ways the film intends.

Wicked: For Good Review: Discussion

The moment Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) realises that the Wizard she admired all her life is nothing more than an opportunistic showman, her mission becomes clear: reveal his lies to the people of Oz. But with Madame Morrible, played by Michelle Yeoh, manipulating the kingdom, Elphaba’s truth is buried, and she becomes the villain to everyone. Morrible knows exactly which insecurities to exploit, and Glinda (Ariana Grande), eager to belong and be considered truly magical, becomes the easiest target. The way Morrible twists Glinda’s longing into submission forms one of the film’s most compelling tensions.

As relationships crack and loyalties blur, both women are forced into choices that carry real consequences. There are genuine moments of sorrow, unexpected losses, and interpersonal rifts that could have elevated the narrative. However, the film frequently becomes mired in its own narrative. Eventually, the narrative falters, the storytelling loses its impact, and the emotional moments that should be devastating simply fail to resonate as they should.

 

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The unrest spreading through Oz, animals being silenced or driven out, and citizens manipulated by fear should feel urgent and unsettling. Strangely, it doesn’t. Elphaba’s so-called “wickedness” never fully manifests in a way that justifies the terror we know is coming in the original Wicked narrative. Instead, you’re left wondering why the people of Oz ever saw her as a threat or celebrated her downfall so fiercely.

I genuinely tried to lean into the fantasy lens, to let the magic and mythos soften some of the rough edges. But the execution makes that difficult. The production design is undoubtedly gorgeous, almost storybook-perfect, but the emotional drive doesn’t match its visual scale.

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande step back into their roles with confidence, and their chemistry remains the heart of the story. Both deliver grounded, heartfelt performances, yet the screenplay doesn’t give them the big dramatic stretches that could have made their arcs unforgettable. Their shared scenes do tug at you, but even the most tender moments fade too quickly because the narrative around them isn’t strong enough to support the weight of their emotions. Jonathan Bailey brings his charm but is quite forgettable, and that’s sad.

 

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Wicked: For Good Review: Final Thoughts

Overall, Wicked: For Good fails to provide you the spellbinding effect of the first film. It delivers warmth, a clear message of unity, and a familiar moral compass, but there is no depth that would make you walk away feeling truly enchanted and fulfilled. Sadly, the magic doesn’t quite linger this time.