In November 2025, Wicked: For Good, the second and final part of the Wicked franchise, was released in theaters. It is now available for streaming. From magical sets and intricate costumes, to tearjerking acting and incredible musical numbers, this film truly has it all. The movie starts out with Elphaba having already left her friends and family behind to work alone to save the animals of Oz who were being oppressed by the Wizard — as he turned the people against them. We immediately see the parallels between Oz’s happy and sugar-coated perception of their life juxtaposed with the dark realities that Elphaba is desperately trying to uncover.
Though Wicked is a story filled with talking animals and flying witches, it has a not-so-subtle political undertone. Themes of propaganda, mention of oppressed groups, and white privilege flow through the movie, making it not only interesting, but incredibly topical, as we compare it to the political state that our country is in currently.
Even Glinda, who genuinely wants to do good, struggles with her own privilege and the realization that good intentions are not enough, when injustice is being perpetrated around her. By the time the film reaches its emotional climax, Wicked: For Good invites viewers to consider the cost of truth-telling and the danger of prioritizing unity over justice. In a world increasingly shaped by misinformation and political tension, its message feels more relevant than ever.
The overarching theme of Wicked: For Good is that the ideas of good and wicked are codependent; in order for one to exist, the other must be present, too. In the movie, this concept comes from the Wizard’s insecurity of his own power. Most people that are familiar with the story of The Wizard of Oz know that the Wizard does not have any real power. In the story of Wicked and Wicked: For Good, we learn that, before the Wizard entered Oz, the citizens of Oz were in a dark place, with no hope or ability to access magic. So, when the Wizard showed up and provided a sense of safety, it did not take Ozians long to look up to him. In our world, this happens often and comes from human confirmation bias: people are likely to believe someone or something when it aligns with their current goals or hopes.
But as Oz becomes more secure, and else dependent on the Wizard, the Wizard decides he needs to find an enemy to inflict fear on the Ozians again. So, the Wizard of Oz begins to turn his people against the Animals in Oz, which, in this world, are seen as equals to all other beings as if they are simply another race of people. This parallel directly relates to the United States’ government’s actions. Since January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump has been using fearmongering in order to turn his supporters against minority groups such as members of the LGBTQ+ community and immigrants. Trump’s strategy of instilling fear in the American people has seemed to work on many but has simultaneously threatened our democracy by turning Americans against each other.
By spreading misinformation about immigrants, Trump is creating a world where his supporters see him as a protector, and therefore continue to praise him. In Wicked: For Good, we see the effects this can have on a society in a more discreet and palatable way. The animals in Oz end up losing their ability to speak, which is symbolic of minority groups losing their voices and ability to speak out in a crisis. Soon enough, the animals begin to feel disrespected in their own home and start leaving Oz.
Though the original music in Wicked: For Good was taken directly from the Broadway show, two new songs were written and added to the movie adaptation. One, entitled “No Place Like Home” is a moment where Elphaba reflects on why she still feels such a connection to Oz even though the city has turned against her and others that are different. Many have reflected that this song captures how they feel in the United States right now. Even though this country may not be treating certain groups fairly, such as immigrants, it is still their home. In this way, Wicked: For Good has resonated with many and helped them come to terms with their feelings by creating a song and a unique way to express their conflicting feelings about their country.
What makes the film particularly compelling, however, is not just its political parallels but its emotional honesty. Elphaba is not portrayed as flawless. She is impulsive, stubborn, and sometimes so consumed by her mission that she isolates herself from those who care about her. Similarly, Glinda is not just shallow or selfish; she is a product of a system that rewards conformity and punishes protest. Their friendship becomes the emotional core of the story because it reflects the tension so many people feel today: the pull between comfort and speaking up.
The film also refuses to let its characters exist as caricatures. Even the Wizard is not depicted as a cackling villain with no morals. Instead, he is insecure, desperate to maintain relevance, and terrified of losing control. His wrongdoing stems from fear rather than inherent malice. That distinction matters. It suggests that evil does not always announce itself with obvious cruelty. Sometimes it arrives disguised as protection, patriotism, or unity. Sometimes it is born from fear rather than hatred.
By the end of Wicked: For Good, viewers are left with an unsettling realization: the labels of “good” and “wicked” are often assigned by those in power. Elphaba becomes “wicked” not because of her actions but because of the narrative crafted around her. Once the public accepts that narrative, it becomes easier to justify her persecution. The film quietly asks us to examine how often we accept similar narratives in our own lives without questioning who benefits from them.
This is where the nuance of good and evil becomes most important. We like to believe that goodness is obvious and that evil is unmistakable. We want heroes who are entirely pure and villains who are entirely corrupt. But Wicked: For Good challenges that binary thinking. It shows that good people can make harmful choices when they prioritize their own comfort. It shows that those labeled as wicked may simply be unwilling to conform to injustice.
In reality, good and evil often coexist within the same person. Glinda’s journey demonstrates that recognizing injustice is only the first step; acting against it requires sacrifice. In the end, Elphaba asks Glinda to leave her tainted reputation. Elphaba believes that if the people think she is wicked, they are more likely to see Glinda as good and trust her. Elphaba’s journey shows that fighting for what is right can come at the cost of reputation, relationships, and safety. Neither path is simple, and neither character emerges untouched.
At the end of the movie, the two heroines, Elphaba and Glinda, sing a heartwrenching duet entitled “For Good.” The chorus repeats the refrain “who can say if I’ve been changed for the better/ but because I knew you, I have been changed for good.” The use of the word ‘good’ here is particularly significant as it is specifically distinguished from the word ‘better.’ In this case, the lyrics are making the audience question their own definition of the word ‘good’, seeing as when put in a phrase such as ‘for good,’ the meaning of the word changes to mean permanent.
Wicked: For Good explores the nuance of good and evil through character development and ties to current events.
Though Wicked is a story filled with talking animals and flying witches, it has a not-so-subtle political undertone. Themes of propaganda, mention of oppressed groups, and white privilege flow through the movie, making it not only interesting, but incredibly topical, as we compare it to the political state that our country is in currently.