Wicked: For Good
In the aftermath of revolution in Oz, the Witch and the Good Witch must confront the consequences of their choices and unite to change everything “for good”.
DIRECTOR
Jon M. Chu (In the Heights)
ACTORS
Cynthia Erivo • Ariana Grande • Jonathan Bailey • Jeff Goldblum • Michelle Yeoh
2h 17m • Rated PG • Musical, Fantasy • USA
The island setting, the modest production, and the humor that often arises from character rather than contrivance work together to keep the film from ever feeling flat. On the flip side, a few feel the pacing is uneven, or that the secondary characters don’t always land. Still, even these criticisms tend to be soft and in the service of a film that is more heartwarming than perfect.
Overall, the consensus sees The Ballad of Wallis Island as a warm, wistful, and soul-soothing film—modest in scope but rich in feeling. It’s not trying to dazzle, but it digs in where it matters: loss, memory, music, human connection. For many, it’s one of the more emotionally satisfying films of 2025.
The Ballad of Wallis Island is a quietly charming British comedy-drama directed by James Griffiths, written by and starring Tom Basden and Tim Key, alongside Carey Mulligan. The story centers on Charles, a lonely lottery winner living on a remote Welsh island, who invites his favorite folk duo—Herb McGwyer and Nell Mortimer—to reunite for a private performance. His motive isn’t just fandom; there are unresolved heartbreaks, nostalgia, and grief behind his idealistic gesture.
Critics are largely enamored with the film’s balance of humor and melancholy. Tim Key’s performance as Charles is praised for being endearingly awkward, verbose, and heart-on-sleeve, often using verbal wit to stave off silence. Basden as Herb, and Mulligan as Nell, deliver subtle, emotionally resonant performances, especially when the old romantic and artistic tensions surface—and you begin to feel what’s been lost, as well as what hope might remain. The original music is another highlight; the songs feel lived in, and the film uses them not as spectacle, but as emotional anchors.
Some reviewers point out that the premise is familiar—a fan’s devotee, reunited artists, romantic regrets—but argue that the execution elevates it.
CRITICS ROUNDUP
Some reviewers caution that its length and layered plot might overwhelm casual viewers less familiar with the stage version, but the general consensus is that the film succeeds more often than not in delivering both heart and spectacle. It finds a satisfying emotional core in friendship, transformation, and the idea that identities—and worlds—can indeed change.
CRITICS ROUNDUP
A spellbinding finale that balances spectacle with heartfelt connection.
The sequel has been widely received as a bold and emotionally resonant continuation of the original film’s story, with director Jon M. Chu building on large-scale spectacle while giving the central relationship between Elphaba and Glinda genuine evolution. Many critics commend Cynthia Erivo for bringing a haunting strength to Elphaba’s journey of defiance, and Ariana Grande for grounding her world-weary Glinda with surprising nuance. Visually, the film is described as “dazzling” and “expansive,” with imaginative production design and a sweeping soundtrack that feel worthy of the musical’s big ambitions.