I remember when I was young and saw The Wizard of Oz for the first time. The Wicked Witch of the West, embodied by Margaret Hamilton, made an impact. That’s part of the reason the character has endured, even earning a place on the AFI list for greatest villains. We knew she was mean, scary, and green. But was there more to the story?

Gregory Maguire must have wondered the same thing. He re-wrote the story of the witch—Elphaba—in his series of novels, beginning with Wicked. In fact, it re-imagined the whole story of Oz, building a richer, deeper, and more complex world. That, in turn, led to the Broadway adaptation. Which last year led to the first of two theatrical films to bring the world to life.

The music and the look, crafted by director Jon M. Chu and led by stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande was breathtaking. It was one of the most ambitious and most engaging films of 2024, earning a host of Academy Award nominations along the way. But how would the story end? That question is answered in Wicked For Good, which opens wide on Friday.

We pick up much where we left off. Elphaba (Erivo) is an outcast and a fugitive. She’s determined to expose the truth about the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum). Meanwhile Glinda (Grande) has been taped as an ambassador of Oz. She’s Glinda the Good, and thanks to Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh), she even has the illusion of power.

Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey) is now Captain of the Oz guard. He’s leading a hunt for Elphaba, but he’s conflicted. He’s conflicted about his very public relationship with Glinda, too. Meanwhile, Elphaba’s sister, Nessarose (Marissa Bode), has become governor after her father’s death.

Oz is at a crossroads and the friends who once roamed the halls of Shiz University are at the center of a battle for its future.

Those who’ve seen the long-running Broadway play will know where this is heading. It isn’t about the destination, it’s about the journey. And this journey includes the same breath-taking production values, some moving music, and even two new, original songs. If you were a fan of the first film, you’ll want to see how this all ends.

This film is shorter than the first. But it doesn’t quite reach the same heights. The production is great, with the world-building remaining a visual feast. But the story in this second film—the second half of the musical—feels a bit more disjointed. It’s a darker story, which makes it more difficult at times.

Still, it soars when Grande and Erivo are on screen. They are co-leads and feel like equals in this film. Both have some incredible, magical moments. Their sequences together—which are less frequent owing to the story here—are the high points of the film. Their first reunion is beautiful, and their sequence and epic song in the Third Act are also quite moving.

This is a well-made film. It’s a rousing and emotional journey. The music is incredible, and the epic scope makes it feel like something special. This is a film that should be seen and enjoyed on the big screen. It’s one of the biggest releases of the Fall and a worthy conclusion to the story.

Wicked For Good opens nationwide on Friday, November 21.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.