Spoiler Warning: This article contains minor spoilers for Wicked and Wicked: For Good!
On October 8, 2003, the musical adaptation of the novel ‘Wicked’ by Gregory Maguire made its Broadway debut. Nobody could’ve expected that over twenty years later, this project would become a global success with the release of the movie adaptation on November 22, 2024. Starring Cynthia Errivo as the seemingly sinister witch Elphaba and Ariana Grande as the “good witch” Glinda, this movie has made its way into several restaurants, stores, TV screens, and minds. Almost a year later, the sequel is hitting the big screens to conclude this story.
To get you caught up to speed if you haven’t seen the first movie, we are introduced to the first half of the double-act story. Elphaba has spent her whole life in her younger sister’s shadow, being ostracized for her green skin and possessing powers that are larger than herself. When she arrives at Shiz University, she is noticed by Madame Morrible, who takes her under her wing. While learning how to harness her powers under her mentor, she is also learning to deal with her selfish and popular roommate, Glinda. Eventually, though, the two form an unlikely friendship. Their relationship grows so close that Elphaba even takes Glinda with her on her trip to Oz. However, on their trip, Elphaba uncovers intense political corruption that completely changes her views of the Wizard. This discovery leads the two down different paths, causing Elphaba to be deemed the “wicked witch”, while Glinda is considered the “good witch.”
The second movie picks up a few years later. Elphaba is still trying to get the people of Oz realize their wizard is a fake by sabotaging the construction of the yellow brick road. Meanwhile, Glinda has been promoted to “Glinda the Good”, with the job of trying to uplift the spirits of her fellow Ozians. With this new promotion, comes the announcement of her engagement to Fieyro, the rebellious rich boy introduced in the first movie. Right before the wedding, Elphaba finds herself striking a deal with the Wizard, which would entail him treating all animals how they should be. However, this all comes to a halt when Elphaba discovers several animals that were trapped by the Wizard himself, causing Elphaba to break off the deal she struck with the Wizard. She sets the animals free allowing them to stampede through the wedding, causing utter chaos and a complete turn of events. Friendships are tested, relationships are broken, and many tears are shed.
‘Wicked: For Good’ is a finely crafted movie full of dazzling visuals, strong performances, and a multitude of plot twists leaving you on the edge of your seat. It challenges the traditional ideas of good and evil through the use of politics and perspective, demonstrating that there are two sides to everything. It reminds the viewer that the stories we think we may know are more often than not far more complex than we could actually imagine. You’ll ultimately leave the theater feeling changed for good!