Review – Wicked: Part Two (2025)

1. Cynthia Erivo’s performance
   Cynthia Erivo owns the screen from start to finish. The rawness she brings to Elphaba
   in Part Two is next level. In Part One, she was powerful; here, she’s vulnerable and
   defiant in the same breath. She sings like she’s ripping her heart out, handing it to you,
   and daring you not to feel something.
   Every significant number she does land.
   Every emotional beat feels lived in.
   She embodies both tragedy and hope.
   If you walked into this thinking no one could match the Broadway original, this film will
   make you rethink that.
2. Ariana Grande’s evolution
   Ariana Grande surprised a lot of people in Part One. In Part Two, she steps fully into
   who Glinda is supposed to be: complicated, broken, but determined to do the right
   thing. She hits Glinda’s optimistic sparkle, but she finally shows the cracks underneath.

This movie gives her much meatier material, and she rises to it. Her scenes with
Cynthia are the film’s strongest parts.

3. The chemistry
   Let’s be honest: this movie works because of their chemistry. When they’re on screen
   together, everything clicks—emotionally, musically, and narratively. This is the core
   relationship, and the film never forgets it.
   The way they look at each other in the last act? Whew. That’s storytelling.
4. The new songs
   The added songs are fully cinematic, with big emotions and orchestration, crafted to
   work onscreen.
   Standouts:

• “The Far Side of the Sky” – A soaring ballad that gives Elphaba a moment of reflection
  and self-acceptance. This one is pure Cynthia Erivo power.
• “Starlight Between Us” – A duet for Glinda and Elphaba that actually deepens their
  bond instead of just decorating it. Their harmonies are ridiculous.
• “A Better Spell” – A quick, punchy ensemble number that fills the gap between the
  uprising and the Wizard’s unravelling.
  None of these feels like filler. They serve as emotional glue, stitching together moments
  that the stage musical skips over.

3. The emotional final song
   I’m not giving away spoilers, but what about the final song?
   It broke me.
   The movie takes the spirit of “For Good,” gives it a cinematic echo, and turns it into a
   farewell that reflects everything they’ve been through. It’s intimate, honest, and
   beautifully restrained. Not bigger… but deeper.
   By the time the last note lands, the tears are already there. Because it’s not just an
   ending—it’s a recognition of what it means to find someone who brings out your truth.
   Someone who forces you to see yourself clearly. Someone who loves you enough to let
   you be who you were meant to be.
   This is the soul of the film, and it works.
   What Doesn’t Work
4. The pacing in the middle
   The middle section drags in places. The transition from political upheaval to personal
   stakes isn’t always smooth, and a few scenes feel stretched to justify the two-movie

format. This is where the film loses momentum, especially for viewers who are not
already invested.
Because the performances are so strong, the slower pacing is even more noticeable.

2. Some CGI still distracts
   It’s better than Part One—especially the Emerald City sequences—but there are
   moments where the digital effects break the immersion. Flying shots appear
   inconsistent, and some of the magical elements seem out of place, as if they belong in
   a different movie. Not bad, just… noticeable.
3. A few supporting characters get lost
   Some of the secondary cast members who held weight in Part One almost disappear
   here. Certain arcs resolve too quickly or off-screen. It doesn’t ruin anything, but you
   feel it—especially because the world of Oz is full of fascinating characters who deserve
   more spotlight.
4. The Wizard’s downfall feels rushed
   After two films of buildup, the Wizard’s unravelling and exit don’t land with the impact
   they should. The emotional focus is so centred on Glinda and Elphaba that the political
   storyline feels like a necessary checkbox rather than a dramatic crescendo.
   Themes: What This Movie Is Really About
   Yes, it’s a fantasy musical. Yes, it’s sparkly, strange, and occasionally chaotic. But
   underneath all of that, Wicked: Part Two is a story about identity, courage, and deep
   emotional connection.
   For me, this movie is about:

• Finding your person, the one who pushes you toward your best self.
  Not in a romantic way, but in a soul-level way.
  Elphaba becomes her most authentic self because Glinda recognizes her power.
  Glinda becomes her most honest self because Elphaba challenges her to do so.
  We don’t get that kind of relationship often in cinema, especially between two women.
  And this film does not shy away from showing how transformative, painful, and
  beautiful such a connection can be.
• Choosing truth, even when it hurts
  Elphaba’s arc isn’t just about magic or rebellion. It’s about choosing to stand in your
  truth even when the world calls you wicked.
• Letting go with love

The ending is not the happy ending people expect, but it’s the proper ending. It
respects the idea that some relationships change you so profoundly that the goodbye is
part of the beauty.
The Bottom Line
Wicked: Part Two delivers where it matters most: character, emotion, and music. It’s
not perfect, but it’s powerful. The chemistry between Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande
carries the film, the new songs elevate the emotional stakes, and the final moments
bring everything full circle in a way that left me wiping tears.
It’s a film about courage, identity, and above all, finding the person who helps you
become honest and authentic with yourself.
And that’s why it stays with you long after the last note fades.