The School for Good and Evil is a 2022 American fantasy film directed by Paul Feig from a screenplay he co-wrote with David Magee, based on the 2013 novel of the same name by Soman Chainani.

[8][9][10] The film stars an ensemble cast led by Sophia Anne Caruso as Sophie and Sofia Wylie as Agatha, two best friends who are sent to the Schools for Good and Evil.

Though Agatha is vocally critical of Good's superficiality, Ever Dean Clarissa Dovey argues her sense of empathy makes her the first true princess in a long time.

Never Dean Leonora Lesso interprets this as Sophie's unique potential for winning a victory for Evil, something thought impossible for centuries.

Under Rafal's influence, Sophie undergoes a radical change in appearance and personality; gaining the favor of the Nevers and rising to the unofficial position of leader of Evil's student body.

However, a portal opens piercing the veil between worlds and an arrow flies through, with Tedros pleading he needs Agatha; the Storian then states that "this is only the beginning."

Holly Sturton,[31] Briony Scarlett, Rosie Graham,[32][15] Emma Lau,[33] and Chinenye Ezeudu[34][35] portray Evergirls Beatriz, Reena, Millicent, Kiko, and Chinen, respectively.

[42] After the film languished in development hell,[38] Netflix purchased the rights with a new team that included David Magee and Laura Solon as screenwriters in 2017.

[43] Paul Feig was offered a spot as director, but he was hesitant due to the film's contrasts with his style and unfamiliar genre.

[44] While the novels are targeted towards young adults, Feig set out to create "an anti-Disney" film that, while reinterpreting fairy tales, also probed genuine issues and darkness.

[53] Laurence Fishburne joined the cast as the School Master due to his daughter's love for the books, which she started reading as a tween.

Feig, who had worked with her on Arrested Development (2005),[57] expected her to decline the role due to The School for Good and Evil's similarities to her other films.

He knew as soon as he read Professor Dovey's role that he wanted only Washington to play the part, partially due to her comedic skills.

After reading The School for Good and Evil, she realized that Dovey was different from any character she had portrayed, being "so larger than life and filled with light, and [having] a lot of comedic beats".

[44] Due to Feig's dislike of green screens and hope for "the characters and the actors to be performing in that world so they become part of it",[44] much of the scenery was constructed, including the Schools for Good and Evil.

[21] Nicholson subsequently incorporated elements from other architects, including Antoni Gaudí and Victor Horta, creating "this big melting point of design".

In particular, Theron wanted Lesso to have a tailored and severe silhouette; she also suggested the ginger hair and showed Feig various reference photos.

[44] Caruso discussed Sophie's evolution of style with Kalfus, including with "princessy" dresses and "potato sack" uniform at the School for Evil.

She eventually transitions into punk glam costumes, which Caruso felt needed "such a specific type of hot that suits her fiery spirit".

[61] Netflix was unable to shoot the production at its Shepperton Studios in Surrey, because it was too small; they decided to instead film at Northern Ireland for the first time.

Feig selected its city Belfast as the filming location, as he had friends who had shot there, including production members from Game of Thrones (2011–2019).

[29] The School for Good and Evil was announced as part of Netflix's 2022 film slate and appeared in a "movie preview" video.

[94][95] That same month, a first-look teaser trailer for the film was released,[96][97] while a panel featuring Wylie, Caruso, and the novel series' author Soman Chainani was held as part of Netflix's 2022 Geeked Week event.

[112] The School for Good and Evil had its world premiere at Regency Village Theatre in Los Angeles on October 18, 2022,[113][114] before it became streamable worldwide the following day.

The School for Good and Evil can appeal to younger demographics and give Netflix something it might really want: Its own hit YA fantasy series.

"[93] Time, Teen Vogue, The Daily Beast, ABC News, and Entertainment Weekly named it one of the most anticipated films of late 2022.

The website's consensus reads: "The cast is game and the visuals are dazzling, but a deeply derivative narrative means The School for Good and Evil flunks on the storytelling front.

[133] In December 2022, Donald Clarke and Tara Brady of The Irish Times named The School for Good and Evil the ninth-worst film of the year, saying: "Feig deliver[ed] something that looked no less vulgar than the average Des Moines department store window.

"[138] Metacritic ranked it the fifteenth-worst-rated film of 2022, citing reviewers' criticisms of it as "a campy, underdeveloped, and overstuffed Harry Potter knock-off that was a slog to sit through".

[141] According to Nielsen Media Research, during its first six days of release, it received 1.058 billion viewing minutes, placing second on the streaming chart after the television series The Watcher.