In this episode of Cinema Verbi, Father Matt and Father Brian reflect on the movies they watched in 2025 before diving into a discussion about Wicked (2024) and its sequel, Wicked: For Good (2025). They explore the evolution of the story from Gregory Maguire’s original novel to the Broadway musical, and finally to the big-screen adaptations. Our hosts discuss themes of friendship and debate the value of reinterpreting old stories, examining how these films reshape (or don’t reshape) our understanding of the iconic Wizard of Oz (1939) film.

(0:26) Father Matt and Father Brian open the show by welcoming listeners to 2026 and reflecting on their experience hosting a live episode on It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) last month. They highlight the communal nature of cinema and the importance of gathering and sharing films together.

(2:24) The priests discuss their Letterboxd stats, including the number of films watched, total hours logged, favorite actors, and prominent themes from 2025. Father Matt highlights Paul Walter Hauser as his most-watched actor of 2025, and they share their first, last, and favorite movies of the year.

(12:41) The conversation shifts to the episode’s main topic: Wicked (2024) and its sequel, Wicked: For Good (2025). Father Brian explains the significance of these movies as adaptations of the Broadway musical and Gregory Maguire’s novel, noting how the story has been reimagined for a new generation of viewers.

(15:25) They discuss the history of the “Wicked” novel, its 2003 Broadway debut, and its long-running popularity. Father Brian shares his personal experience seeing the musical on tour many times, while Father Matt has only seen it performed once in East Lansing. They also analyze the decision to divide Wicked into two movies, comparing it to other adaptations like Dune. They debate whether the second movie truly adds value or simply prolongs the story for commercial reasons.

(19:10) Father Matt and Father Brian explore how Wicked reinterprets the original Wizard of Oz, giving the Wicked Witch of the West a more nuanced perspective. They debate moments in the film that “tip their hat” to the original Oz story, weighing cleverness and homage against fan service and overuse of nostalgia.

(30:05) The hosts examine the film’s deeper themes, including power, manipulation, and the treatment of animals. They highlight how Glinda and Elphaba’s friendship develops despite their differences and reflect on the two films’ enduring message of friendship, personal growth, and the lasting impact others have on our lives.

(41:33) The episode concludes with our hosts sharing their “seeds of the word” ratings for the films, based on how clearly they saw goodness, truth, and beauty reflected in the story.