Fans couldn’t be happier, for all their dreams came true on November 21, 2025, when Wicked: For Good was finally released in theaters. This long awaited second movie sparked a combination of mixed emotions from the public, as seen through debates, controversies, and arguments on social media. However, the film also attracted praise, received impressive reviews, and broke records during its opening weekend alone. From favorite scenes and shifting opinions on characters to the accuracy of the movie’s adaptation in comparison to the original, not to mention the Wicked cast memes, everyone has been obsessed with the new release – myself included. So what is all the buzz about?
I personally loved the movie, despite the unsettled opinions around it. I thought the actors did a wonderful job portraying each character, the dialogue was dramatic yet heartfelt, and the raw emotions sewn into the story were incredible. I loved Ariana Grande as Glinda, as her acting added the perfect amount of lighthearted comic relief and heartache to the story, as well as Cynthia Erivo’s acting as Elphaba with her expressive storytelling abilities. Their powerful vocals and harmonies, especially in “No Good Deed Goes Unpunished” and “For Good” sent shivers down my spine.
In addition to these two best friends, I also enjoyed the performances of supporting characters such as Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, Ethan Slater as Boq, and Marissa Bode as Nessa Rose. Although a little weirded out by Fiyero during his “As Long As You’re Mine” scene with Elphaba, Bailey’s overall execution of the part was well done and extremely impressive. The same goes for Slater’s performance, especially as he evolved throughout the movie. With Bode, I thought her emotions of desperation and anger were portrayed beautifully, but the major character climax in “The Wicked Witch of the East” was not as strong as it could have been. This thought was shared by many others who have seen the original Broadway musical or a copy of it, with audiences describing it as underwhelming or just average. As for other critiqued cast members or characters, Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible faced harsh feedback from the public after the release of the movie. Although a phenomenal actress, viewers believed she wasn’t suited for this specific part due to her lack of singing experience, especially after audition lists were released and fans began pointing out other women who tried for the part who supposedly “could’ve done a better job”.
As for the scenes, there were multiple that I loved, and some that I didn’t enjoy as much. The first of my personal favorite scenes was the sentimental moment around “For Good.” I’ve heard it said that the ‘I love you’ scene was unscripted and improvised, making it all the more special. This part was so touching and will always be with me like a handprint on my heart. My other favorite scene was the small flashback to Elphaba and Glinda’s school days with Glinda whispering to her best friend at the end of the movie, referencing the original musical’s iconic poster. I loved this clip, as it paid tribute to the Broadway musical while ending the film with a wholesome, emotional moment.
One of the scenes I didn’t totally love was when Fiyero abandoned Glinda and ran away with Elphaba to be “with her.” I thought the transition into this part seemed very rushed and was also a little caught off guard due to the fact that I may have forgotten this happened having watched the live musical quite a while ago. This moment also triggered remarks from fans about Elphaba’s outfit and her “ratty grey cardigan,” joking about how her wardrobe was “distracting” in a different way than expected.
Speaking of Wicked jokes spreading across the internet, Cynthia Erivo memes have recently been trending all around social media platforms, with people creating GIFs or screenshotting dramatic expressions of the actress’ face to use as reactions to messages and everyday posts. The most popular ones have been a ‘calculating’ clip of Erivo tapping her head and an ‘astonished’ one where she takes a step away from the camera in shock. Furthermore, Michelle Yeoh’s “Madame Morrible, MM, flip it around, Wicked Witch” saying has been spreading like wildfire all over TikTok and Instagram, now being called the “6-7 of theatre.”
It is safe to say that this movie has made such an impact on audiences, positive and negative, big and small, lighthearted and serious. Personally, this was ranked one of my top films from the year, as it has left such a lasting impression on me. The movie made me ponder ideas around true friendship, societal norms, truth, and loyalty. It was dramatic, entertaining, and bittersweet all in one. With that being said, I can definitely say that watching it has changed me for good.
