There’s a little-known Netflix gem just like Practical Magic (Image: Getty Images)
Fans of magical and witchcraft genres have been celebrating of late as the trailer for the follow-up to cult classic sensation ‘witchy film’ Practical Magic was released.
Featuring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman in the leading roles, Practical Magic 2’s trailer has been causing a stir online as those who came of age with the original film are brimming with anticipation.
It’s not just original fans either – younger viewers are voicing their enthusiasm at uncovering the 1998 cult favourite and eagerly awaiting the 2026 follow-up, which is scheduled to arrive on September 18 this year.
For those keen to discover other films in the same enchanting and otherworldly category, look no further, because there’s one Netflix offering that perfectly matches the criteria.
The 2022 fantasy film The School for Good and Evil has been lauded as an enjoyable and captivating watch by audiences, earning acclaim for its impressive ensemble cast and their portrayals, reports the Mirror.
Read more: ‘I’m a witch and I know the answers to the UK’s most grim murder’
Read more: Sandra Bullock’s ‘funniest movie’ is available to watch for free
The supernatural fantasy film is streaming on Netflix (Image: Netflix)
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.
Boasting a remarkable cast including Sophia Anne Caruso and Sofia Wylie alongside Kit Young, Laurence Fishburne, Michelle Yeoh, Jamie Flatters, Peter Serafinowicz, Charlize Theron, and Cate Blanchett’s voice, the picture is packed with renowned names and gifted performers.
Filmed in Northern Ireland in 2021, The School for Good and Evil made its global debut on Netflix on October 19 2022. The production itself boasted more than 800 breathtaking costumes and an impressive 600 pairs of shoes, all crafted by a team of 70 costumers working on the project.
The film centres on two misfit best friends, Sophie and Agatha, who share the most unlikely of bonds. While Sophie is an ardent lover of fairy tales and yearns to escape her mundane village life, Agatha embraces a dark aesthetic and the personality to match, showing genuine potential for becoming a ‘real witch’.
The movie has been hailed a fun and entertaining watch by viewers (Image: Netflix)
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.”
The film proved popular with audiences, who voiced their enthusiasm for the magical offering, as one viewer wrote on Rotten Tomatoes: “An Epic tale to Rewrite them all. For what is Truer than Love between friends?”
The film has garnered praise for its star-studded cast and their performances (Image: Netflix)
Another admirer of the film said, “Loved this movie. My kids loved it and hoping they make the sequel soon,” while one viewer drew comparisons to the millennial classic Sky High, writing, “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.”
One enthusiastic audience review says: “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 were not entirely won over, some were thoroughly captivated by the fantastical world it created, with one writing: “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 of the film: “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.”
While one critic wrote: “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.
