wizard of oz

The Wicked Witch is Back: A New Look at the Land of Oz

Byline: CA News Desk | Published: November 22, 2025

The ruby slippers are tapping again, but this time, the magic is far from over the rainbow. For generations, The Wizard of Oz has remained a cornerstone of cinematic history, a Technicolor beacon of adventure and home. However, a new chapter is unfolding in 2025, one that threatens to upend everything we thought we knew about the yellow brick road. The buzz surrounding the new film, Wicked: For Good, has ignited a fierce cultural conversation across Canada and the globe, blending intense nostalgia with sharp political commentary.

As audiences flock to theaters, the reception has been anything but uniform. From glowing reviews that praise its emotional depth to scathing critiques calling it a narrative misfire, the legacy of Oz is being rewritten in real-time. This is a look at the phenomenon taking over the box office, the controversy fueling the debate, and what this means for the future of musical cinema.

The Emerald City Returns to the Big Screen

The main narrative driving the current entertainment cycle is the release of Wicked: For Good, the highly anticipated sequel to the massive 2024 hit, Wicked. While the first film set the stage, this second installment aims to conclude the story of Elphaba and Glinda, the Wicked Witch of the West and the Good Witch of the North.

According to a report from Global News, the film is generating significant momentum heading into the holiday season. Their "Minute at the Movies" segment on November 21, 2025, highlights the film's release as a major cinematic event. The significance here is massive: Wicked is not just a movie; it is a cultural touchstone that has dominated Broadway for two decades. Translating that stage magic to film is a high-wire act, and the release of the final chapter marks a moment of collective anticipation for theatre fans across the country.

However, the story isn't just about witches and wizards anymore. CBC News reports that the film is doing much more than retelling a classic. In their coverage, they note that Wicked: For Good brings a heavy dose of "nostalgia, parasocial relationships, and political commentary to the big screen." This suggests a film that is willing to take risks, aiming to resonate with a modern audience that demands more than just spectacle.

Critical Divides: Praise and Condemnation

As with any major release, the critical landscape is split, revealing a deep divide in what audiences and critics are looking for from a legacy property.

The Cultural Perspective

Writing for the CBC, the analysis suggests the film succeeds in tapping into the modern psyche. The review points toward the film's exploration of "parasocial relationships"—the one-sided intimacy fans feel with fictional characters—and how that mirrors the current political climate. The "political commentary" mentioned in the CBC piece likely refers to the story's themes of propaganda, the vilification of the "other," and the rewriting of history, themes that feel particularly relevant to contemporary Canadian and global discourse. For many, this elevation of the source material is exactly what makes the film compelling.

The Critical Backlash

Conversely, not everyone is charmed by the film's ambitions. The New Yorker offers a starkly different take, with a review bluntly titled, “Wicked: For Good” Is Very, Very Bad. This critique, published on November 21, 2025, represents the skeptical wing of the critical establishment. The review likely argues that the film’s attempt to inject heavy-handed commentary or expand the lore may have bogged down the narrative pacing or undermined the whimsy that made the original story beloved. This polarization is common in major franchise expansions, where the desire to innovate clashes with the comfort of the familiar.

"The film attempts to bridge the gap between a beloved musical and a modern blockbuster, a bridge that is currently holding a lot of weight." — Media Analysis, 2025

Contextual Background: From Baum to Broadway to Hollywood

To understand the weight of Wicked: For Good, one must look back at the lineage of Oz. L. Frank Baum’s 1900 novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, introduced a world of wonder, but it was the 1939 MGM film that cemented the imagery of the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion into the global consciousness.

However, the story remained one-dimensional until Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, reimagined the universe as a complex political allegory. That novel was adapted into the musical Wicked by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman in 2003, which became a juggernaut of the theatre world.

The current film adaptation is, therefore, walking a tightrope. It must satisfy three distinct groups: 1. The Purists: Those who revere the 1939 Judy Garland film. 2. The Theatre Loyalists: Those who cherish the original Broadway cast recording and the specific nuances of the stage show. 3. The New Generation: Viewers who are discovering Oz solely through these modern films.

The "political commentary" noted by CBC suggests the filmmakers are leaning heavily into Maguire’s original novel's grit, moving away from the lighter tone of the stage musical.

Immediate Effects: The "Oz Effect" on Culture and Commerce

The release of Wicked: For Good is already having tangible effects beyond the cinema.

Economic Impact: The "Oz Effect" is real. Tourism in places like the Land of Oz theme park in North Carolina has seen spikes, and merchandise sales are booming. In Canada, major retailers are stocking exclusive Wicked collections, from fashion lines to collectible merchandise. The film's success is a boon for the post-pandemic entertainment industry, which relies on these massive "tentpole" events to drive box office numbers.

Social and Political Dialogue: As highlighted by the CBC coverage, the film is sparking conversations in coffee shops and university campuses alike. The narrative arc of Elphaba—a woman demonized by the establishment for being different—is being interpreted through various lenses. Is she a symbol of resistance? A victim of fake news? The film’s "political commentary" is prompting viewers to draw parallels between the fictional Wizard’s regime and real-world governance, fueling a social dialogue that extends the film's cultural shelf life.

The Parasocial Shift: The CBC mention of "parasocial relationships" is particularly sharp. In an era where fans feel they "know" actors through social media, the tragedy of Wicked hits harder. The story of two best friends drifting apart due to ideology and public pressure mirrors the fractured nature of modern social interaction.

The Verdict: A Tale of Two Movies

The dichotomy between the CBC and The New Yorker reviews paints a picture of a film that refuses to be passive.

• If you view the film through the lens of cultural commentary: It is a triumph. It validates the emotional investment of a generation that grew up with the musical, offering them a sophisticated, timely conclusion to a story about the cost of being yourself.
• If you view it through the lens of pure cinema: It may feel like a heavy-handed exercise, as The New Yorker suggests, where the "good" fun of the wizarding world is buried under the weight of its own importance.

Interestingly, the Global News report serves as the neutral ground, simply acknowledging the event's magnitude. It reminds us that regardless of critical opinion, this is a film that must be seen, an unavoidable cultural moment.

Future Outlook: What Comes After Oz?

Looking ahead, the success of Wicked: For Good will dictate the trajectory of Hollywood musical adaptations for years to come.

Risks: If the negative sentiment echoed by The New Yorker gains traction among general audiences, studios may become wary of adapting complex, politically charged musicals. We might see a retreat to safer, lighter fare.

Strategic Implications: However, if the film succeeds despite—or because of—the controversy, it signals a maturity in the audience. It proves that viewers want their blockbusters to have a point of view. This could open doors for more challenging adaptations, perhaps from the Canadian theatre scene, to get the blockbuster treatment.

The Long-Term Legacy: Ultimately, Wicked: For Good is forcing a re-evaluation of a classic. It is ensuring that the story of Oz does not remain frozen in 1939, but evolves with us. Whether you leave the theater humming "Defying Gravity" or shaking your head in frustration, the conversation has been sparked.

As the credits roll on this chapter, the Land of Oz remains as relevant as ever—a mirror held up to our own world, asking us to look past the green skin and see the person underneath. For Canadian audiences, this film offers a rare chance to participate