Fans of magic and witchy genres have been rejoicing lately, as the trailer for the sequel of a breakthrough smash-hit witchy film was released recently. Starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman in the lead, Practical Magic 2’s trailer has been setting the internet ablaze as those who grew up with the film are brimming with excitement. It’s not just OG fans though — younger audiences are expressing their excitement at discovering the 1998 classic and waiting with bated breath for the 2026 sequel, all set to release on September 18 this year.
For those hoping to watch other films in the same whimsical and supernatural category, there’s one Netflix film that fits the bill. The 2022 fantasy film The School for Good and Evil has been hailed a fun and entertaining watch by viewers, garnering praise for its star-studded cast and their performances.
A Star-Studded Fantasy Adaptation
Directed by Paul Feig with a screenplay written by Feig and David Magee, The School for Good and Evil has been adapted from the 2013 Soman Chainani novel of the same name. With a stellar cast featuring Sophia Anne Caruso and Sofia Wylie joined by Kit Young, Laurence Fishburne, Michelle Yeoh, Jamie Flatters, Peter Serafinowicz, Charlize Theron, and Cate Blanchett’s voice, the movie is loaded with famous names and talented stars. Shot in Northern Ireland in 2021, the film saw a worldwide release on Netflix on October 19, 2022. It featured over 800 stunning costumes and a staggering 600 pairs of shoes, all produced by 70 costumers working on the project.
The Story of Sophie and Agatha
The movie follows two misfit best friends, Sophie and Agatha, who share the unlikeliest of bonds. While Sophie is a lover of fairy tales and dreams of ultimately escaping her ordinary life in the village, Agatha sports a grim aesthetic and the personality to boot, showing real promise at becoming a real witch. The film’s official plot states: “One night under a blood red moon, a powerful force sweeps Sophie and Agatha away to the School for Good and Evil — where the true story of every great fairy tale begins. Yet something is amiss from the start: Sophie is dropped into the School for Evil, run by the glamourous and acid-tongued Lady Lesso (Charlize Theron), and Agatha in the School for Good, overseen by the sunny and kind Professor Dovey (Kerry Washington). As if navigating classes with the offspring of Cinderella, Captain Hook, and the dashing son of King Arthur (Jamie Flatters) wasn't hard enough, according to the Schoolmaster (Laurence Fishburne), only true love's kiss can change the rules and send the girls to their rightful school. But when a dark and dangerous figure (Kit Young) with mysterious ties to Sophie reemerges and threatens to destroy the school and the rulebook entirely -- the only way to a happy ending is to survive the fairytale first.”
Audience and Critical Reception
The film fared well with audiences, who expressed their appreciation for the witchy offering. One viewer wrote on Rotten Tomatoes: “An Epic tale to Rewrite them all. For what is Truer than Love between friends?” Another fan said, “Loved this movie. My kids loved it and hoping they make the sequel soon.” One viewer compared it to the millennial classic Sky High and wrote, “What can I say? It’s fun and had great acting. If you’re a millennial who enjoyed Sky High, give it a try, I’ve watched it several times and love it.” A glowing audience review stated: “I love this movie. Watched it 2 times already and I gotta say that the industry needed this sort of movie. Not 10 because in my opinion they could've went even further with the visual effects because sometimes they felt a bit cheap but maybe that's just me... Soundtrack is very fitting. Loved everything about it but with the bigger budget it would be even better.” While one fan said: “Very good movie, I'm impressed honestly by how a lot of it took after the books, you don't usually see that with book adaptations. Overall I think it did a great job getting the story across. Though it was a bit rushed, which is fair as the first book is almost 600 pages long!”
While critics weren’t too impressed with the movie, some thoroughly enjoyed the fantasy world it built. One critic wrote: “The School for Good and Evil is ambitious in its themes and makes you question the fairytales and archetypes we’ve come to know. [...] Wylie brings a self-awareness that always has you on her side, while Caruso delivers an edgy bite that really works.” Another reviewer said: “The film doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it's a lot of fun and has plenty of heart thanks to its leading performances and solid character development.” One critic noted: “There’s great balance to the whole piece, but the real heart is firmly focused on the friendship between Sophie and Agatha which is what really pushes this through as a memorable and fun watch.”
The School for Good and Evil is available to stream on Netflix.
