The second installment of the Wicked saga, For Good, successfully narrows its focus from the sprawling fantasy of its predecessor to deliver a powerful and character-driven finale. Director Jon M. Chu masterfully transitions the narrative into the intimate and explosive romantic entanglements at the heart of the story, centering on the complex bond between the two witches.
The emotional core of the film rests on the intertwined love triangles involving Glinda the Good, the misunderstood Elphaba, and the enigmatic Wizard, as well as the dashing military officer, Prince Fiyero. The cast delivers uniformly strong performances, with Jeff Goldblum standing out as a morally decaying Wizard, whose charismatic facade begins to crumble. Ariana Grande brings a delicate grace to Glinda, while Cynthia Erivo commands the screen as Elphaba, imbuing the character with a newfound vulnerability and profound strength that anchors the entire production.
A significant narrative achievement is how the film bridges its prequel status with the established lore of The Wizard of Oz. It tackles the central question of Elphaba’s journey from a demonized outsider to a self-proclaimed “wicked” witch with tragicomic brilliance, exploring themes of societal rejection and self-acceptance. The arrival of Dorothy, which catalyzes the final act, is handled with a light touch, though the expansion of her future companions’ backstories is somewhat uneven. While the origins of the Cowardly Lion and Tin Man are effectively woven in, the Scarecrow’s introduction feels convoluted and lacks the same narrative clarity.
Ultimately, the film’s greatest strength is its emotional payoff. A pivotal scene, in which Elphaba is confronted with her own beauty—a truth evident to the audience all along—is delivered with a raw power that is genuinely affecting. Wicked: For Good proves to be a satisfying and poignant conclusion to this beloved origin story.
