Cover Elphaba and Glinda in ‘Wicked: For Good’ (Photo: Universal Pictures)
Elphaba and Glinda in ‘Wicked: For Good’ (Photo: Universal Pictures)
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‘Wicked: For Good’ divides opinion but triumphs at the box office. We round up the dazzling high points of the much-debated cinematic conclusion
Some people adore it, others decry it. If Wicked last year left a collective good impression (especially with that forceful torch song Defying Gravity, capped by Cynthia Erivo’s celebrated war cry as Elphaba), Wicked: For Good, as a whole, chronicles a distinctive development.
Act II has drawn mixed reactions online, sparking lively discussion among fans of the original musical and casual viewers alike. Some felt the film fell short and did not deliver the feeling of a true “sequel”. Others defended the film, emphasising that it serves as “Act II”, a very different proposition. Act II cannot stand alone without the first half of the story. Additionally, the colour grading discourse persists, intensified when director Jon Chu responded that the aesthetic was intentional, meant to immerse audiences realistically in Oz—an answer that only fuelled further creative debate.
But despite the commentary, Wicked: For Good remains a crowd favourite and a global box office success. It opened with USD226 million worldwide and promises significant further earnings.
As we await the rest of the world’s reception of the final instalment, here is a look at some of the film’s standout moments. (Call it an adaptation or something else—consider this your spoiler warning.)
More from Tatler: Why ‘Wicked: For Good’ is everything we hoped for (and more)
Above Glinda and Elphaba talking to the Wizard, minutes before the ‘Wonderful’ scene (Photo: Universal Pictures)
Glinda and Elphaba talking to the Wizard, minutes before the ‘Wonderful’ scene (Photo: Universal Pictures)
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The origins of the Yellow Brick Road
The film opens with an immediate reckoning. We see the familiar Yellow Brick Road, Dorothy’s path to the Emerald City, constructed in a harrowing manner. This iconic landmark is presented as a form of visual propaganda, cementing the Wizard’s oppressive rule. The captured animals are forced into slave labour, building the road section by section. The production design also features a colour-drained Munchkinland, signifying a community deprived of its spirit. This sequence immediately establishes the dark themes explored in the second film.
Above Glinda in one of the beginning scenes of ‘Wicked: For Good’ (Photo: Universal Pictures)
Glinda in one of the beginning scenes of ‘Wicked: For Good’ (Photo: Universal Pictures)
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Glinda’s new poignant ballad
Ariana Grande assumes full command of her character arc in this chapter, delivering a deeply felt performance as Glinda. A new song written for the film, The Girl in the Bubble, captures her internal conflict. The number portrays Glinda grappling with the manufactured nature of her fame, her role as the Wizard’s icon and the deep emotional cost of her choices. It is a masterful addition that gives the character a powerful moment of reflection, deepening her struggle between friendship and political obligation.
Above Elphaba at the entryway to the Land Beyond Oz (Photo: Universal Pictures)
Elphaba at the entryway to the Land Beyond Oz (Photo: Universal Pictures)
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Elphaba’s false demise and the bucket of water
The stage musical’s famous climax is rendered here with tension and pathos. The iconic image of the Wicked Witch melting is viewed entirely through Glinda’s perspective—from the shadow cast through a closet door. We know the lie: Elphaba, aware that a ridiculous rumour about her vulnerability to water is circulating, chooses to fake her defeat. The scene is brief, impactful and intensely sad. Witnessing Glinda’s pain as she believes she observes her friend’s murder makes this sequence devastating.
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Above Prince Fiyero and Glinda at the wedding (Photo: Universal Pictures)
Above Elphaba and Prince Fiyero (Photo: Universal Pictures)
Prince Fiyero and Glinda at the wedding (Photo: Universal Pictures)
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The arrival of the Kansas girl
The narrative must address the collision with The Wizard of Oz. Dorothy’s house, tossed by the tornado, arrives swiftly and violently, crushing Nessarose, the Wicked Witch of the East. The subsequent appearance of the slippers is central. The film handles Dorothy’s arrival with restraint, showing the consequences of her house landing without revealing her face. This approach keeps the focus squarely on Elphaba and Glinda’s immediate, catastrophic entanglement with established history.
Above Elphaba visiting Glinda before her wedding with Prince Fiyero (Photo: Universal Pictures)
Elphaba visiting Glinda before her wedding with Prince Fiyero (Photo: Universal Pictures)
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The duet that changes everything: ‘For Good’
The final, climactic confrontation between the two friends is pure emotion. Erivo and Grande finally sing the stage show’s definitive ballad, For Good. This is a moment the film builds toward, a farewell song that transcends simple friendship to portray a lasting bond. It is a stunning display of vocal ability and emotional complexity. The song operates as the powerful heart of the film, affirming the central theme that their relationship defines who they ultimately become, regardless of the paths they tread.
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Angela Nicole Regis Guiral is a digital editor at Tatler Philippines. She studied journalism and has since written features that look closely at how culture, lifestyle and social impact converge, while occasionally wandering into the worlds of style and travel.
