I’m an avid theatregoer, and Wicked has long been one of my favourite musicals. When I first heard it was being adapted into a film, I was wildly excited—but also a little sceptical, worried that the magic of the stage production might be lost. When I finally saw Part One in cinemas, I was completely blown away by how stunning it was and how faithfully it honoured the show. I left the theatre in floods of tears, overwhelmed by its grandeur and beauty.
Naturally, I was eager for Part Two—Wicked: For Good—though slightly cautious, knowing the second act of the stage musical has fewer songs. Still, like the rest of the world, I’ve been swept up in Wicked’s omnipresent marketing: the charming interviews with Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, the themed toothbrushes, jewellery, makeup… even Brick Lane in London transforming into the Yellow Brick Road. All of it only amplified my anticipation for what promised to be a truly monumental film event.
Long story short- I was disappointed.
The film is packed with new original songs written specifically for the adaptation. As someone who loves the stage show, this initially threw me off; however, I understand why the creators chose to do this, considering how few songs there actually are in Act Two. Still, it does make me question why the story needed to be split into two films in the first place. Why not combine the magic of the first part with the natural, satisfying conclusion of the second into one cohesive film?
Some of the new songs, while a few are genuinely strong, end up feeling more like filler and are extremely forgettable. That said, others do serve a purpose, offering deeper insight into certain characters. I found Glinda’s new number particularly impressive; to me, it was the standout addition to the film’s expanded musical material.
A true standout in the film is the performances from its leads, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. The two of them can quite literally do no wrong here. That said, I did find parts of the script a bit cringe-worthy and overly cheesy, which at times undercuts the sincerity that Part One captured so well. Yes, the first film had its occasional corny moment, mostly from Glinda—but in that context it felt organic and aligned with the character. In this instalment, those moments sometimes land awkwardly and feel out of place.
Still, Erivo and Grande’s vocal performances are nothing short of extraordinary, and their on-screen connection is undeniably strong. Their chemistry elevates the film, making this casting feel nothing less than perfect. I’m certain that, years from now, people will look back on their partnership as one of the great duos in musical cinema.
The film’s mise-en-scène, unsurprisingly, is exceptional. Everything—from the set design and costumes to the props and lighting, is crafted with such care and detail that it fully immerses you in the world of Oz.
I also found that while some of the new songs added depth to the characters, many of them felt forgettable—almost thrown in without contributing much to the overall impact of the film. The pacing felt rushed, and as a result, it lacked much of the emotional weight that made the original so powerful.
Yes, For Good still moved me to tears, and I continue to love the film’s overarching message about seeing the world through a different lens. But despite those moments, this instalment simply didn’t resonate with the same emotional force as its predecessor.
Overall this was a decent wrap up of the first part but it certainly wasn’t changed for the better.
Wicked: For Good is out in UK cinemas November 21st
Megan Hilborne (Instagram: meghillbilly) is a freelance writer and film critic based in Portsmouth. She graduated with a degree in Film in 2020 and has continued her study of the medium in her day-to-day life. She takes particular interest in indie, horror, feminist and queer cinema.
