🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Paul Feig
- Genre: Fantasy, Action, Drama, Comedy, Family
- Release year: 2022
- Runtime (length): 2h 27min
- IMDb rating: 5.9/10 (86K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 36%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Two girls get sent to the wrong high school and end up causing a magical war over a boy who’s probably not that into either of them.
🍿 The School for Good and Evil: Detailed Plot Synopsis
The Misfits of Gavaldon
In the village of Gavaldon, Sophie dreams of escaping her dreary life to become a princess, while Agatha is ostracized and rumored to be a witch. Despite their differences, they share a strong bond of friendship. One night under a blood-red moon, they are both kidnapped and taken to the School for Good and Evil.

Mistaken Identities
Sophie is mistakenly dropped into the School for Evil, run by Lady Lesso, while Agatha is placed in the School for Good, overseen by Professor Dovey. Both are shocked and believe a mistake has been made. They struggle to fit in with their assigned schools, facing prejudice and pressure to conform to expectations. According to the Schoolmaster, only true love’s kiss can correct the error.

A Growing Darkness
As Sophie embraces her dark side, she becomes infatuated with Tedros, a popular student at the School for Good. Meanwhile, Agatha uncovers a dangerous figure connected to Sophie and with a plan to corrupt the school. Sophie and Agatha must navigate these challenges to survive in their real-life fairytale.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Sophie (Sophia Anne Caruso): A golden-haired seamstress who dreams of being a princess and is mistakenly placed in the School for Evil.
- Agatha (Sofia Wylie): Sophie’s grim and witch-like best friend who is placed in the School for Good and struggles with fitting in.
- Rafal (Kit Young): The dark and dangerous figure who seeks to destroy the school and the world by manipulating Sophie.
- Lady Lesso (Charlize Theron): The glamorous and acid-tongued Dean of the School for Evil.
- Professor Dovey (Kerry Washington): The sunny and kind Dean of the School for Good.
- Tedros (Jamie Flatters): The son of King Arthur and popular prince at the School for Good who becomes the object of both Sophie and Agatha’s affections.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Sophie: “I want to be good. I deserve good.” – Sophie expresses her deep-seated desire to be recognized as inherently good, despite her placement in the School for Evil.
- Agatha: “Maybe we were just picked by mistake.” – Agatha suggests a possible explanation for their misplacement in the schools, highlighting the theme of questioning predetermined roles.
- Lady Lesso: “In stories, you must know your role.” – Lady Lesso emphasizes the importance of adhering to one’s designated role in fairy tales, reflecting the film’s exploration of defying expectations.
- Rafal: “I don’t need love, I need you!” – Rafal reveals his true intentions to Sophie when he wants to rule the world
💰Box Office
- Budget: $80,000,000
- Domestic Gross: N/A
- Worldwide Gross: N/A
💥 The School for Good and Evil Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, I went into this expecting a trainwreck, and honestly, it was a bit of a mess, but I still had fun! Charlize Theron and Kerry Washington are amazing, and the costumes are absolutely gorgeous. The story’s a bit predictable, but the whole thing is so over-the-top that it’s entertaining. The battle scenes were chaotic and cheesy but that’s what made them great. If you’re looking for a serious fantasy, this isn’t it. If you want some light-hearted, silly fun, give it a shot!
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of the ‘School for Good and Evil’ book series”
- “Viewers who enjoy fantasy movies with fairytale elements”
- “Teenagers interested in themes of friendship and self-discovery”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Fantasy violence”
- “Mild language”
- “Some scary scenes”
Professional Reviews
- IMDb: “A fun, campy fairytale with great art direction. It embraces its silliness, features memorable performances, and is perfect for those who enjoy lighthearted fantasy stories. It reminds me of the children’s books I’ve read as a kid with bright colorful pictures that tell a straightforward adventure story with a simple message at the end.
- Rotten Tomatoes: “While the movie boasts a star-studded cast and visually appealing sets, the script falls flat, resulting in a predictable and shallow story. The chemistry between the leads is lacking, and the film struggles to establish meaningful emotional stakes. It’s a waste of talented actors.
- Common Sense Media: “This supernatural fantasy, based on the novel, has themes of self-acceptance and true friendship; action and violence include sword fights, magical attacks. Some characters show romantic interest in others. This is entertaining for older kids.
Audience Reactions
The visuals and costumes are stunning, making the fairytale world come alive.: Viewers appreciated the vibrant visuals and impressive costume design.
Charlize Theron and Kerry Washington stole the show with their contrasting personalities.: The performances of the lead actresses were praised, especially Charlize Theron and Kerry Washington
Overall Consensus: A visually appealing but narratively flawed movie, enjoyable for those seeking lighthearted fantasy entertainment but falls short on delivering a deeper story.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The film is based on the first book of Soman Chainani’s ‘The School for Good and Evil’ series. Chainani makes a cameo appearance in the film as one of the teachers from The School for Evil.”
- “Initially, the film rights were acquired in 2011, two years before the first book was even published. However, the movie adaptation languished in development hell for over a decade before finally being produced by Netflix.”
- “Paul Feig, known for directing comedies, was initially hesitant to direct the fantasy film. He changed his mind after reading the script and finding a way to blend humor with the fantasy elements.”
🖥️ How to Watch The School for Good and Evil?
The School for Good and Evil is currently available to stream exclusively on Netflix. As a Netflix original film, it is not available for purchase on physical media or through other digital retailers like Prime Video or Apple TV. A Netflix subscription is required to watch.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed The School for Good and Evil, you might like these similar films:
- Sky High (2005): Shares the concept of a school for super-powered individuals, blending action and comedy in a similar YA-friendly setting.
- Ella Enchanted (2004): Presents a fantastical world with fairytale elements, focusing on a young woman’s journey of self-discovery and breaking free from predetermined paths.
- Maleficent (2014): Explores the complexities of good and evil, challenging traditional fairytale narratives and delving into the backstory of a misunderstood character.
- Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (2016): Features a school for children with extraordinary abilities, set against a backdrop of fantasy and adventure, with a focus on embracing individuality.
🛒 The School for Good and Evil Related Products
- The School for Good and Evil Series: Box Set: The complete six-book series in a collector’s box set, perfect for immersing yourself in the full world of the School for Good and Evil. All books in the series of Soman Chainani.
- The School for Good and Evil: One True King: A fan-made School for Good and Evil text adventure game, which allows you to immerse yourself in the universe of the story. Can you rise through the ranks of the students and become the King?
- The School for Good and Evil Official T-Shirt: Wear your allegiance with pride with this officially licensed t-shirt featuring the emblem of either the School for Good or the School for Evil. Comes in various sizes and colors.
- The School for Good and Evil Movie Poster: A high-quality print of the official movie poster, capturing the essence of the film’s magical world. Perfect for decorating a room or office space.
🎧 Soundtrack
The School for Good and Evil features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “You Should See Me in a Crown” – performed by Billie Eilish
- “Toxic” – performed by 2WEI
- “Prelude No. 1 in C Major, BWV 846: Well-Tempered Klavier” – performed by Johann Sebastian Bach
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Yes, The School for Good and Evil is based on the book series of the same name by Soman Chainani. The film adapts the first book in the series.
While Netflix has not officially announced a sequel, the ending of the film hints at a continuation of the story. Given the popularity of the book series, it is possible that a sequel could be produced.
The film emphasizes the importance of true friendship and self-acceptance. It challenges traditional notions of good and evil, suggesting that these concepts are not always clear-cut and that everyone has the capacity for both.
🔥 Bonus Content
THE NICE KID: GOOD TO EVIL 😇😈
Ever wonder what would happen if a ‘nice kid’ turned to the dark side? This hilarious sketch explores that idea with a ton of relatable humor. I personally found it super funny, especially the unexpected twists!
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