This article discusses the ending of the Netflix film The School for Good and Evil and will contain spoilers.
The long-awaited fantasy film The School for Good and Evil is finally here, and for me, it didn’t disappoint. There is a lot jam-packed into this hour and twenty-eight minutes so if you blink too much you might miss something. Filled with classic fantasy themes, you’ll recognize a lot from the Harry Potter films, however, that is not a reason to miss this film as it’s filled with a star-studded cast, excellent acting, and an imaginative story.
The film begins similarly to Harry Potter, with a smoky background like the midnight sky and gold lettering dramatically displaying the film title.
We open to two men chasing each other and fighting. Straight into the action we quickly learn they are two brothers who run the school and keep the balance between good and evil. Although one brother, Rafal, has clearly become tired of always feeling like a loser, and with the use of dark blood magic it’s suggested he kills his brother.
Years later we’re taken to Sophie (Sophia Anne Caruso) and Agatha (Sofia Wylie) living simple lives in a simple town, with Sophie literally wishing she had a different life. Sophie doesn’t want to settle for an ordinary life and under a magical tree, she wishes to be taken away and to have her happy ending. As she tries to run away, Agatha begs her to stay, then out of nowhere a giant mythical bird comes, picks them up, and flies them into a different realm.
At this point, Sophie is petite, pretty, and blonde, and Agatha has giant hair and is considered a witch, so we would assume that Sophie would go to the good school and Agatha would go to the evil school. No, no, they are dropped at the complete opposites.
As the film continues we see both Sophie and Agatha try to escape to switch sides, as well as trying to understand the school, and its rules and processes. As they develop their powers it becomes clear that the girls are in fact on the side they need to be.
Sophie has actual powers and talents which capture the attention of the evil Rafal, making her “the one”. Agatha proves she is of pure heart by saving a lost student, and showing that she has the strongest power, which is empathy.
We see how the good side isn’t always good, and learn how things must be in balance for things to work and run smoothly, but this doesn’t sit right with Agatha after one of her friends loses three tasks and then is killed in agony.
In order to get home the girls learn that they must have true love’s first kiss. Of course, this lies with the pretty blond Sophie to make dashing Prince Tedros fall in love with her, when really he has eyes for Agatha.
Rafal gets his claws into Sophie and she has a complete Sandy from Grease transformation, going from sweet to sexy in a matter of minutes. Becoming a bad girl, her friendship with Agatha is already strained. Sophie draws in Tedros and together they say they have found their one true love in one another.
The School for Good and Evil ending explained
The school then forces the two to take part in a Trial by Tale — where the two must survive the night outside the castle walls. For Harry Potter fans, it’s like the Triwizard Cup in the Forbidden Forest. As the two struggle, Agatha comes to the rescue, breaking all the rules and causing havoc. As it’s proven those two are not soul mates, Sophie and Agatha are feeling defeated and distant.
Here Rafal comes and makes Sophie even eviler, the more evil she becomes the uglier she gets. Sophie is using blood magic, and on the night of the most awaited Ball, she bursts through the doors attacking Agatha and the others and turning all the adults and teachers into toys.
This causes Tedros to start a war and ask everyone to kill the wicked witch. In this world evil fights and good defends, as Tedro attacks the tables are now turned. Using her powers, Sophie makes everyone have a costume change so evil is now in extravagant clothing and good is in black. They then battle to the death.
Whilst fighting Sophie goes to take revenge on the schoolmaster for ruining her life, but the schoolmaster shapeshifts into Rafal who was grooming her all along as he wants her to be his true love. Their true love kiss will perish all the good and evil to start again for a new evil. As Sophie realizes what she has done as her friends are dying she regrets everything. Agatha, always trying to save her best friend, bursts through the door, and as Rafal tries to kill her Sophie jumps in front to save Agatha, showing that she does have a good heart and undoing the evil true love kisses spell.
Rafal is defeated and destroyed, and as Sophie lies dying in Agatha’s arms they tell one another they love each other. In true fairytale fashion, Agatha’s tears heal Sophie’s wounds and she comes back to life.
Nothing can beat the power of friendship, and true love amongst friends from good and evil causes the school to not perish, but in fact, be changed forever. A school where both good and evil can mix.
This story is showing us a lot of things, that there is a power in friendship, that good and evil can and must work best for one another, that true love’s kiss doesn’t have to be a romantic one, and that your happily ever after might not be the one you wish for.
This coming-of-age story tells us to be true to ourselves and trust our journey and our process, as the girls decide to go back home to their mundane town, and want to enjoy the simple life. They create a vortex back home where they are welcomed with open arms and we see them enjoying their lives now rather than wishing for something else.
However, in the final clip we see that Tedro’s arrow pierces the vortex created to get the girls home, so is this really the end?
What did you think of the ending of The School for Good and Evil? Comment below.
Additional Reading
- Where was The School for Good and Evil filmed?
