It’s no secret that every network and streaming service would love to find the next big thing. Franchises like The Hunger Games, The Twilight Saga, and Harry Potter have enjoyed decades of success thanks to their loyal fandoms. It was only a matter of time before Netflix attempted to launch their own mega franchise based on a popular book series.
The streamer’s adaptation of Soman Chainani’s popular The School For Good and Evil book series isn’t perfect, but it has the potential to develop into something very special and successful. The fact that Netflix invested tons of money into the first movie, as well as bringing in some big stars to really help sell the film, shows that they’ve put a lot of faith into this IP.
The story follows two best friends, Sophie (Sophia Anne Caruso) and Agatha (Sofia Wylie), as they are spirited away from their mundane village and taken to an ancient school split into two very distinct campuses. One is for the fairytale heroes and princesses of tomorrow. The other, is for the future wicked witches, evil henchmen, and dangerous creatures of those same tales.
The friends find themselves separated as the tough and rebellious Agatha lands in the School for Good and the girly and hopeful Sophie lands in the School for Evil. From there, the two friends struggle to find their way back to each other as various forces pit them against one another. As time goes, Agatha begins to warm up to the idea of being a magical princess, even if she does hate some of the stranger and inhumane practices the School For Good embraces. On the opposite side of the spectrum, Sophie begins to embrace her dark side, and with the guidance of a mysterious being, begins to embrace her inner wicked witch. The two must unite to save both schools.
This film was fun. The costumes and set pieces were beautiful, action-packed, and everyone involved seemed to be having a lot of fun bringing this world to life. Our two leads portray their characters with the right amount of angst, heart, and determination. Caruso’s journey from a sweet, hopeful girl from a small village to a powerful and deliciously malevolent witch is such a joy to watch. The character battles with her dark side, and it’s fun to watch her internal and external struggle. The film inserts a clever bit of mythos that has the budding wicked witch taking on the cliched physical traits of evil witches. Caruso portrays all of this believably.
Wylie expertly conveys an entertaining journey for her character, as well. She goes from being hostile, pessimistic and rebelling against everything to embracing certain aspects of her new surroundings. Especially when it comes to interacting with Jamie Flatters’ Tedros. Wylie also embraces her inner action heroine and has such a powerful and commanding presence when the story calls for it. She desperately wants to save her friend and won’t stop until she’s succeeded.
While the relative newcomers do an excellent job in their roles, the Hollywood veterans cast in this film all seem to be having fun in their roles as well. Charlize Theron and Kerry Washington portray Lady Lesso and Professor Dovey respectively. Lesso is the darkly humorous and vicious headmistress for the School for Evil. Washington portrays the mostly benevolent and sickly sweet Dovey. Although one could simply ignore the goofy roles these veteran actresses fulfill in this film, both bring a sense of fun, seriousness, and pathos to their roles. Lady Lesso has a deep-seated hurt from her youth that informs her evil actions in the film. Dovey, while benevolent, has a very flawed view of the grim alternatives for students who don’t succeed at the School for Good.
Michelle Yeoh as Professor Anemone and Laurence Fishburne as School Master Rhian are around, but underutilized. While it makes sense for Fishburne’s character, and the big revelation about him we get toward the end of the movie, viewers will be left wishing they knew more about Yeoh’s Professor Anemone. Perhaps there will be more of her in future sequels.
The School For Good and Evil is a vibrant and entertaining exploration of magical schools, fairy tale heroes and heroines in training, and the power of friendship.
The School For Good and Evil is now streaming on Netflix.
The School For Good and Evil is a vibrant and entertaining exploration of magical schools, fairy tale heroes and heroines in training, and the power of friendship.
Writer. Video Essayist. Film/TV Critic. Pop Culture Enthusiast.
When he isn’t writing for Geek Vibes Nation or The Cinema Spot, Tristian can be found typing away at one of the novels or screenplays he’s been working on forever.
