After a long year of waiting, Wicked: For Good finally hit theaters on Friday, November 21st. After the success of the first film, fans anticipated an equally vibrant and emotional experience—and it delivered just that.
The sequel deepens the political stakes of the original. It explores the bond between Elphaba and Glinda as they reshape the world around them, and therefore heightens the tensions between the two and what they each represent.
Junior Aaryaa Mardikar, a fan of the original musical, greatly enjoyed the film. She says, “Wicked 2 did not disappoint! The visuals, the vocals, and the execution of the general plot absolutely lived up to the hype.” She agreed that Wicked: For Good exceeded her expectations and even said that the second film was better than the first. Junior Vedanshi Rajpal has been excitedly waiting for the release of this film, and has not yet seen it. She says, “I am most excited to see Glinda and Elphaba’s relationship develop now that they have made their choice to go separate ways. I feel like there are so many choices they could make to alter the plot and make it really interesting.” She further explains the importance of movies like Wicked: “the message of Wicked is definitely feeling like the odd one out and the idea of who people think we are compared to how we actually are. I think that’s pretty relatable in high school.”
As someone who has seen Wicked on Broadway, I’ve always felt that Act II is far more complex than Act I, especially once Dorothy arrives and her trio is revealed. The overlap between the familiar The Wizard of Oz storyline with Elphaba and Glinda’s lives truly shows the speltacular storyline. Watching Wicked: For Good, I was surprised by how many more details the movie version could show. The film captures the subtle details that get lost in a live theater, such as the smallest facial expressions that carry huge meaning. In scenes as powerful as those in Act II, these details added a whole new layer. Ariana Grande’s performance especially stood out. Her Glinda had moments of slight agony that contributed to the complexity of Glinda’s character, which made her transformation feel more tragic.
Ethan Slater’s Boq also surprised me. His performance was much stronger than in the first film, and his character’s relationship with Elphaba had much more influence on his later development. My favorite aspect of Wicked: For Good was definitely how the movie portrayed the bond between two young women on opposite sides of society. Elphaba and Glinda’s relationship in the film truly honored the Broadway version while adding complexity, depth, and emotion.
Overall, Wicked: For Good is absolutely worth seeing, whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the story. It brings the heart of Broadway while adding details that only film can capture. The performances feel honest, the visuals are stunning, and the story hits even harder when you can see every expression portrayed by the actors.
