Wicked For Good Review: Chemistry Between Ariana & Cynthia Makes It Work
My Wicked For Good review comes down to one thing: the chemistry between Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo is so genuine it makes the entire sequel work. This darker, more emotional second part completes the Wicked story with stunning performances, beautiful production design, and a bond between Elphaba and Glinda that feels like real love.
The Heart of the Story: Chemistry That Can't Be Faked
You can't manufacture what Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo have on screen. Period.
The glisten in their eyes when they look at each other. The way their voices blend. The subtle touches and glances. It all adds up to something that feels less like acting and more like witnessing a real friendship unfold. That's the magic ingredient in Wicked Part 2.
Even the best actors can struggle to fake genuine connection. But Grande and Erivo deliver a relationship so believable, so warm, that it elevates every scene they share. Their chemistry is the foundation this movie is built on.
When Glinda and Elphaba are together, the film sings. Not just literally (though those musical numbers are stellar), but emotionally. You feel the weight of their bond. You understand why their friendship matters so much.
This isn't just two talented performers hitting their marks. This is two people who clearly respect each other bringing depth and authenticity to characters we already love. That connection makes everything else work.
When Darkness Deepens the Magic
Wicked For Good is darker than its predecessor. Much darker.
Where Part One gave us spectacle and hope, Part Two leans into loss. Grief. Trauma. The kind of heavy emotional territory that shows you what these characters are really made of.
Sure, Part One might have the catchier songs. "Defying Gravity" is an instant classic. But Part Two has the emotional gravity (pun absolutely intended). This is where we see the full arc of the Wicked story come together.
The film doesn't shy away from showing how pain shapes people. How trauma can either break a bond or make it unbreakable. In this case, it does the latter. The hardships Elphaba and Glinda face together don't just test their friendship. They deepen it.
You see why their relationship became so special. Why it mattered. Why it had to end the way it did.
The darker tone might catch some viewers off guard. But it's necessary. This is the second half of a story about power, identity, and what happens when the world misunderstands you. It needs weight. It needs stakes. And it delivers both.
Technical Excellence Across the Board
Let's talk about everything else that makes this movie work.
The Music
The musical performances are flawless. Grande and Erivo bring vocal power and nuance to every number. The orchestration is lush. The sound design makes every note feel important.
The Sets and Costumes
Visually, Wicked Part 2 is stunning. The sets are detailed and immersive. The costumes are gorgeous. Every frame feels like it was designed with care.
The production design doesn't just look good. It supports the story. The visual contrast between Oz's bright facade and its darker underbelly reinforces the film's themes.
The Dorothy Connection
Dorothy and her crew show up in this one. The way the film weaves them into the Wicked narrative is clever without feeling forced. It adds another layer to a story we thought we already knew.
Seeing familiar Wizard of Oz moments from Elphaba's perspective hits different. It reframes everything.
The Full Circle Moment
This is where everything comes together.
Wicked For Good doesn't just finish the story. It completes it. You see how all the pieces fit. How the choices made in Part One ripple through to the end. How love and loss intertwine.
The film earns its emotional moments because it's been building to them since the first frame of Part One. When you finally see the full picture, it lands with impact.
The relationship between Elphaba and Glinda isn't just the heart of this movie. It's the soul of the entire Wicked story. And this sequel honors that.
If you're invested in these characters and their bond, Wicked Part 2 delivers a conclusion that feels both satisfying and bittersweet. It's everything a sequel should be.
Bottom line: The chemistry between Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo makes Wicked For Good essential viewing. The emotional weight, the performances, the production design—it all works because these two leads make you believe in their friendship. Nothing beats that connection, bar none.
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