I knew Wicked: For Good would get a reaction from my daughter. I didn’t expect the loudest reactions to come from the grown-ups.
I saw the movie earlier this week with my almost 7-year-old. Though she’s a skeptic of most movies, she adored the first film and ( unlike a lot of critics ) loved the second one even more — though to be fair, she’s really in it for three things: the songs , Glinda’s wardrobe and whatever movie snacks I’ll say yes to.
I’ve seen the stage production, so I knew “As Long as You’re Mine” — the big, breathless duet where Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey) finally give in to their feelings — was coming. It’s the musical’s romantic climax. Walking into a packed weekday showing filled with kids of all ages, I was curious how that moment would land, especially with my daughter sitting next to me, blissfully unaware of anything beyond the glitter and choreography. (And scary flying monkeys, which we already discussed.)
The movie is rated PG, but PG — meaning persons of all ages are admitted, but parental guidance is suggested for children — in 2025 can mean almost anything. And for what it’s worth, I think any parents overly worried about content should probably see the movie in question themselves before deciding whether to bring kids. Still, as the scene approached, I braced myself a little — not because I expected any shock value, but because I wasn’t sure what questions might be lobbed at me afterward. (Did Elphaba steal Glinda’s boyfriend? Why is that guy shirtless?)
Luckily, she's too young to ask about that sweater . Or to understand what the quick cut to Elphaba and Fiyero talking softly in bed — him partly undressed — might hint at what happened before. The adults around us, however, may have felt differently. One mom near me launched into what seemed like an urgent whisper-conversation with her tween, her expression looking somewhat upset.
On my way out, I did a quick online scroll and realized my experience wasn’t unique. A momfluencer had gone viral for saying she walked out of the movie because of the “ inappropriate ” love scene, which sent some parent group chats (including mine) into overdrive. Suddenly, everyone had an opinion.
