Wicked: For Good, the sequel to Wicked, has become the movie event of the year. And after seeing it, there's no question why. Earning a whopping $150 million at the box office in its opening weekend, the movie isn't only a hit with fans of musical theatre, but with people of all generations and interests.

**Beware: The following contains Wicked (2024) spoilers**

As the lights go down in the theater, we pick up right where we left off: Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) is starting a revolution against the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum), who has been discovered to be a liar with no real power, and Glinda (Ariana Grande) working with the Wizard as the perfect public figure for the citizens of Oz. As Elphaba continues to try to show everyone how they are living under an oppressive government, Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh) paints her as a villain, creating fear. 

The story's timeline also intertwines with the original Wizard of Oz, where we also see Dorothy and her friends journey on the yellow brick road. In this fantasy, Elphaba fights to advocate for animal rights, while Glinda gets engaged to the (now captain) of the guard, Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey). He reveals he only took this position to find Elphaba and protect her, but Glinda insists she does not want to be found. 

In the meantime, Nessa (Marissa Bode) is now an oppressive governor of Munchkinland, with a reluctant Boq (Ethan Slater) by her side. Glinda and Elphaba finally reunite. She encourages Elphaba to stop fighting. She comes to the realization that she can never sit and watch the animals be oppressed and that she will never  win back her good name, claiming that “They need someone to be wicked--so that you [Glinda] can be good.”

As the lights come back on, the audience is changed for good. 

Wicked: For Good is a phenomenal piece of art that shows the importance of standing up for what you believe in despite the consequences. Elphaba persists even with the world against her, while Glinda takes the easy route, continuing to live in luxury even when watching the injustice of the wizards' rule. It has us wondering, What would I do? Would you take the life of ease and luxury while watching others be oppressed? Or would you fight against it? In the end it changes the perception of the original, while the seemingly perfect Glinda is not truly good, while the Elphaba, painted as a villain because of the difference in her looks, is the only one truly trying to make a change. 

The movie comes alive with magical moving sets and stunning scenery courtesy of director Jon M.Chu and his team. The attention to detail from the costumes to the dialogue makes an incredibly immersive experience for the audience. The dancing is electric and moves the story along rather than just filling up time. 

What truly makes this film special, however, is the acting and singing of Grande and Erivo. Both women create an experience so otherworldly, it seems as if it's happening in real time. Erivo deserves an Oscar simply for No Good Deed alone, arguably one of the most powerful songs in musical theatre. But the real treat is when the two women sing For Good as the finale, which is a beautiful acceptance of how everyone that you encounter in your lifetime makes some kind of impact, whether it be for better or worse. 

As stunning as the film is, fans should be warned that it is not nearly as lighthearted as its predecessor. The sequel deals with grief, and has its share of violence, so some fans may be disappointed if they're looking for a fun movie night. I recommend watching the original Wizard of Oz first (if you haven't already), as it will help in tying everything together. But even as the "Wicked world," itself, gets more complex, the acting and singing continues to shine through as strongly as ever, and the tearjerker of the finale will resonate with the audience long after the movie is over. 

5/5 stars

Katie O'Connor, class of 2026, is a staff writer for the Dedham Mirror. She likes to participate in musical theater and take dance classes in her free time. She also runs for the DHS track and cross country teams.