The 2022 Netflix adaptation of The School for Good and Evil is a visually ambitious fantasy film that largely struggles to balance its dense source material with a coherent cinematic narrative. While it captures the whimsical aesthetic of Soman Chainani’s book series , many critics and viewers found the end result to be an overlong, cliché-heavy "Harry Potter" derivative that fails to leave a lasting impact.

: The film attempts to deconstruct traditional fairy tale tropes, emphasizing that true goodness lies in empathy and actions rather than physical appearances.

: Despite these strong themes, the narrative often feels "bloated" and "rushed," with important world-building elements and character motivations frequently sacrificed for the sake of moving the plot forward. Cast and Performances Review: The School for Good and Evil (2022)

: Best friends Sophie and Agatha find themselves swept away to the legendary School for Good and Evil. However, their placements are swapped: Sophie, who dreams of being a princess, is dropped into the School for Evil, while the cynical Agatha is placed in the School for Good.