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Wicked: For Good’ Nears Release as Early Reviews Praise Performances, Question Pacing

The Nov. 21 sequel builds on the first film’s success, spotlighting themes of power, propaganda, friendship.

Overview

  • Wicked: For Good opens in theaters on November 21 as the second film adapting the stage musical’s Act Two, intersecting key Wizard of Oz events.
  • Early reviews highlight Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, noting the story’s focus on their evolving relationship at the heart of the narrative.
  • NME describes the 137‑minute runtime as sluggish at times, signaling a more uneven rhythm than the first installment.
  • Composer Stephen Schwartz contributes two new songs, including one titled There’s No Place Like Home.
  • Coverage points to deliberate creative choices—Dorothy appears without her face shown (played by Alisha Weir), the slippers are silver, and some CGI creatures draw criticism.