‘Reviews Wicked Part 2’ reminds us that those who truly see us can change everything

By Janet Grant

“Finding the person who lets you be the best, honest, and true version of yourself.”

Wicked: Part 2 closes this two-film saga with a final chapter that’s emotional, uneven in spots, but undeniably powerful where it counts. If Part One built the world, this one dives straight into the heart of it, the bond between Elphaba and Glinda. And honestly, that’s the reason the film works as well as it does.

Cynthia Erivo delivers a stunning performance that carries the movie on her shoulders. She sings like every note matters, and she acts like she’s lived every bruise and every triumph in Elphaba’s story. Ariana Grande steps up in a significant way here, too. Glinda finally gets layers, and Grande meets the emotional weight with a performance that’s sweet, conflicted, and surprisingly grounded.

Elphaba becomes her most authentic self because Glinda recognizes her power.

Glinda becomes her most honest self because Elphaba challenges her to do so.

Their chemistry is the real magic. When the two share the screen, everything locks in. The music, the emotion, the tension, the heartbreak. This is a story about two young women who discover who they truly are through each other, and the film doesn’t shy away from that truth.

The new songs help fill in emotional gaps that the stage version never addressed. “No Place Like Home” and “The Far Side of the Sky” give Erivo a breathtaking solo.

“The Girl in the Bubble” gave Grande an emotional, playful feel, and” Starlight Between Us” is easily one of the most affecting moments in the film. But it’s the final song that truly lands. I’ll admit it, I had teared. It’s honest, intimate, and hits all the right core messages of the story. It’s finding the person who makes you brave enough to be your most authentic self.

Not everything works, though. The middle act drags, and some of the CGI still doesn’t blend smoothly. A few supporting characters fade into the background, and the Wizard’s downfall feels rushed compared to the emotional details of the two leads.

Still, when Wicked: Part Two finds its stride, it soars. True, it’s a flawed film, yes, but a deeply heartfelt one, and a beautiful reminder that the people who truly see us can change everything.

Premieres in theatres on November 21, 2025.

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