Wicked: For Good – Review

Thanks to Universal Pictures NZ, we were given the opportunity to catch a screening of the new Wicked: For Good movie, so I thought I’d share my thoughts with you, just in case you wanted help deciding if you should give it a nudge or not.

And as always, I must preface this ‘review’ with: 1) I am a big, big fan of Wicked the Musical broadway show. And 2) I am happily and unashamedly a sucker for a “so-bad-it’s-good” movie. So bear those bias’s in mind.

So, what did I think? So glad you asked. I’ll be honest — I’ve never been Ariana Grande’s biggest fan. Her music isn’t really my vibe, and she can feel a little over-the-top to me. But credit where it’s due: the woman can sing. And in this film (more so than in the first), she genuinely surprised me — she makes a fantastic Glinda. But the real star of the show – the incredible Cynthia Erivo. But more on that in a minute.

Wicked: For Good is everything I expected — and then some, in all the best ways. You know how movie adaptations of musicals can go… either utterly magical or painfully awkward? This one leans heavily into the magical. It stays true to the original show but adds just enough that it feels like its own story — not just a stage show plonked onto a screen with a bigger budget.

The Story

At the heart of it all, it’s still the story of Elphaba and Glinda — two women who start out as total opposites and somehow become the most emotionally chaotic besties in Oz. The movie gives them more breathing room, which I really enjoyed. You actually see the little moments that shape who they become, rather than just rushing to the big plot points.

Performances

The leads? Phenomenal — both of them. Their chemistry is the kind where you forget you’re watching actors and just get absorbed into their dynamic. Elphaba’s raw, steady intensity pairs perfectly with Glinda’s sparkly, slightly more obvious insecure charm. Every time they sing together? Goosebumps. Straight-up involuntary emotional damage.

And Cynthia Erivo? She absolutely devours this role. Raw, powerful, magnetic — she brings a presence that makes every scene feel charged and important.

Music & Visuals

The soundtrack hits hard, with new tracks that genuinely deepen the story. “For Good” will punch you right in the feelings, even if you think you’re emotionally prepared (trust me, you’re not).

Visually, the movie goes full Oz — big colours, whimsical sets, and a lot of detail that makes the world feel alive. Sure, some of the CGI gets a little shiny, but nothing that ruins the moment.

Overall

Wicked: For Good is warm, funny, dramatic, and heartfelt without ever tipping into cheesy. It celebrates friendship, identity, and choosing what’s right — even when the world labels you the villain. One of the best bits for me? Sitting in the theatre, hearing everyone else react, laugh, go shatteringly silent pretending we’re not wiping away tears, and most of all, hearing the little kids react with glee (or a loud “ewwww” in the two, very PG kissing scenes, which was hilarious!) at the magic and silliness that this story embodies.

Rating: 8/10

If you’re a fan of the musical, you’ll be in your element. If you’re new, this is a perfect entry point — just make sure you start with Part One. If you don’t, the flying monkeys will have words.

So round up the Munchkins, take your Glinda or Elphaba on a date night, or just wander off to Oz on your own heroic quest. No judgement from me… the monkeys handle that.

 

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