What happens when two best friends are swept into a world where fairy tales are not just stories, but a way of life? The School for Good and Evil brings us into a magical world where the lines between heroes and villains are drawn—until they’re blurred. Starring Sophia Anne Caruso and Sofia Wylie as best friends Sophie and Agatha, the film is set in the mystical land of Gavaldon, where children are taken to a school that trains them to be either fairy tale heroes or villains. Directed by Paul Feig, this fantasy adventure blends magic, friendship, and the classic battle between good and evil.
The story follows Sophie, a beauty-obsessed girl who dreams of a fairy tale life, and Agatha, her unconventional, dark-clad best friend who prefers to avoid attention. When they’re taken from their village and dropped into the legendary School for Good and Evil, they find themselves in an unexpected predicament: Sophie, who longed to be a princess, ends up in the School for Evil, while Agatha, who couldn’t care less about the fairy tale world, is placed in the School for Good. As they navigate this new world, their friendship is tested, and they begin to uncover the truth behind the school’s rigid ideas of what it means to be good or evil.
One of the film’s strongest elements is its lavish costume design and world-building. From the ornate gowns worn by the students in the School for Good to the darker, more menacing outfits of those in the School for Evil, the costumes perfectly reflect the personality and nature of the characters. Sophie’s transformation is particularly notable, as her outward appearance mirrors her internal struggle between light and darkness. The attention to detail in the costuming helps to visually reinforce the themes of identity and the contrast between appearances and reality.
Beyond costumes, the performances also stand out, especially Sofia and Sophia, who bring depth to their roles. Sofia captures Agatha’s awkwardness and reluctant heroism, while Sophia embodies Sophie’s desire for grandeur with a layered performance that teeters between ambition and insecurity. Their chemistry as best friends is believable and keeps the emotional core of the movie intact. Charlize Theron, who plays Lady Lesso, the headmistress of the School for Evil, brings a sinister yet elegant energy to the screen, while Kerry Washington as Professor Dovey, head of the School for Good, is charmingly idealistic, though slightly underutilized in the plot.
In terms of direction, Paul navigates the whimsical world with confidence, though the pacing of the film occasionally falters. While the early scenes establish the contrasting characters and the magical world with a good balance of humor and drama, the middle of the film drags slightly. Some scenes feel overly drawn out, particularly those that delve into the politics of the schools. However, the film picks up speed in the final act, where the stakes become higher and the action more thrilling.
The special effects, while not groundbreaking, are well done and fit the tone of the film. The magic in this world feels appropriately larger-than-life without being overly flashy. From transformations to grand magical duels, the effects enhance the fairy tale vibe of the story. The visual portrayal of both the School for Good and the School for Evil is imaginative and immersive. The contrast between the bright, idyllic landscapes of the Good school and the dark, gothic architecture of the Evil school emphasizes the binary world the characters find themselves in.
Cinematographically, the film makes great use of color and light to distinguish between the two schools. Bright pastels and golds dominate the scenes in the School for Good, while deep reds, blacks, and purples define the School for Evil. This helps maintain a clear visual distinction between the opposing forces at play. The wide shots of the schools’ towering, fantastical structures contribute to the sense of scale and grandeur, drawing the viewer deeper into this magical world.
The musical score, composed by Theodore Shapiro, does a fine job of balancing whimsy with tension. The soundtrack supports the film’s shifts in tone, from lighthearted school montages to more dramatic moments when the battle between good and evil takes a darker turn. While none of the musical pieces are particularly memorable, they do their job in complementing the film’s atmosphere.
Overall, The School for Good and Evil is an entertaining, visually stunning film that plays with classic fairy tale tropes in a way that feels fresh and modern. It offers a fun twist on the traditional fairy tale narrative, particularly in how it explores the idea that good and evil are not as black and white as they seem. While the film occasionally stumbles in pacing and could have benefited from deeper character development for some of the supporting cast, it remains an enjoyable watch. Fans of fantasy, fairy tales, and young adult stories will likely find themselves drawn to this magical world. If you’re looking for a film that combines friendship, magic, and the age-old question of what it means to be truly good or evil, this one’s worth a watch.
