A mix of glitter and grit

Jon M Chu’s final Wicked chapter enters confidently, certain of its cultural place. It offers a visually refined, brisk film, though it sometimes struggles to balance the expanding plot.

- Troy Ribeiro

The story returns to an Oz of daily political duplicity and widening gaps between appearance and truth. Elphaba, a fugitive, protects targeted animals while evading capture. Glinda begins to see that her celebrated role serves the state more than her conscience. Their separate paths intersect with familiar figures: a hesitant Fiyero, a Wizard losing control of his own mythology and a determined Madame Morrible whose schemes grow increasingly hazardous.

The film is more scattered than its predecessor, often rushing through moments that merit pause; yet, its emotional foundation remains firm. What resonates most is the gradual awakening of both women as they confront the illusions shaping their world, even when the screenplay wavers.

Actors’ performance