The School for Good and Evil

The School for Good and Evil

Year: 2022

Runtime: 147 min

Language: English

Director: Paul Feig

ActionDramaFantasyComedy

In the enchanting village of Gavaldon, best friends Sophie and Agatha are unexpectedly transported to the School for Good and Evil under a crimson moon. As outsiders, they are divided into opposing schools – Sophie is placed in the School for Evil, while Agatha finds herself in the School for Good. Their unexpected placements challenge their understanding of themselves and the very nature of good versus evil.

Warning: spoilers below!

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The School for Good and Evil (2022) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of The School for Good and Evil (2022), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

Twin brothers Rhian and Rafal established the School for Good and Evil with the aim of cultivating fairy tale heroes, known as “Evers,” and villains, referred to as “Nevers.” Discontent with the ongoing domination of good over evil, Rafal unleashes a blood magic attack on Rhian, leading to both falling off a cliff, with Rafal seemingly meeting his demise.

Years later, in the quaint village of Gavaldon, best friends Sophie and Agatha learn about the fabled school from the local bookshop owner. While Agatha is doubtful, the fairy tale-obsessed Sophie yearns to escape her mundane existence and become a princess. One fateful night, Sophie attempts to secretly flee Gavaldon, but when Agatha tries to stop her, a gigantic stymph swoops in and carries them both away to the enchanting School for Good and Evil.

To their surprise and dismay, Agatha is unceremoniously dropped at the School for Good, while Sophie finds herself taken to the School for Evil. As Agatha voices her desire to return home, Sophie is adamant that she belongs in Good. The girls seek out School Master Rhian and the magical Storian pen, who informs Sophie that she can only switch schools if she can earn true love’s kiss. She pinpoints Prince Tedros, the son of King Arthur, as her true love and enlists Agatha’s assistance in her pursuit.

Both girls face struggles in their respective schools, quickly becoming outcasts among their peers. Agatha openly criticizes the superficiality of Good; however, Ever Dean Clarissa Dovey argues that Agatha’s empathy distinguishes her as the first true princess in ages. As events unfold, Rafal reemerges as a swarm of wasps, providing protection for Sophie from another student’s aggression. Never Dean Leonora Lesso perceives Sophie as having a unique potential to achieve a long-sought victory for Evil.

In a bid to get closer to Tedros, Sophie undergoes a drastic transformation—both in appearance and personality—under Rafal’s sinister influence, leading to her rise as an unrecognized leader of Evil’s student body. Despite their growing rift, Agatha persistently attempts to assist Sophie, using magic to forge a connection between her and Tedros.

The union of an Ever and a Never stirs up turmoil within both schools; to resolve the dilemma, Rhian proposes a “Trial by Tale.” During this event, Sophie struggles to defend herself and Tedros, prompting an infiltrating Agatha to rescue him, ultimately leading to Tedros rejecting Sophie for prioritizing her own safety over his. Consumed by Rafal’s manipulations into believing Agatha is her adversary, Sophie succumbs to the temptation of blood magic.

Taking drastic action, Sophie incapacitates Dovey, Lesso, and the rest of the faculty, and crashes the Evers’ Ball, now transformed into a hag. She threatens Agatha and provokes Tedros into an attack on the School for Evil. This act contravenes the established law that states, “Good defends, Evil attacks,” resulting in the two factions magically swapping appearances, igniting an all-out battle.

In her quest for vengeance against Rhian, she discovers he is actually Rafal, who survived the fall, killed Rhian, and has been orchestrating events from within Good to weaken it. He proposes a joint rule with Sophie, declaring her his true love. > As they share a kiss, the Schools begin to collapse, throwing Sophie into despair. Agatha arrives just in time, but Rafal attempts to impale her with the Storian, which had inscribed a predetermined fate. In a moment of heroic sacrifice, Sophie pushes Agatha to safety, taking the blow herself; her choice unravels both Rafal’s spell and the written fate of Agatha, saving everyone involved.

With the help of Tedros and a dying Sophie, Agatha uses Excalibur to vanquish Rafal. Following their victory, Agatha kisses Sophie goodbye, a moment that exemplifies true love, and revives her. The Evers and Nevers come together, leading the school’s staff to merge the two schools into one. As they open a portal back to Gavaldon, Agatha shares a kiss with Tedros before returning to their former lives alongside Sophie. However, a confluence of events pierces the veil between worlds, sending an arrow that prompts Tedros to call out to Agatha, leaving the Storian to proclaim, “this is only the beginning.”

Last Updated: November 15, 2024 at 19:00

Ending Explained – What Happens at the End of The School for Good and Evil?

Still wondering what the ending of The School for Good and Evil (2022) really means? Here’s a spoiler-heavy breakdown of the final scene, major twists, and the deeper themes that shape the film’s conclusion.

The ending of “The School for Good and Evil” reveals a culmination of the characters’ journeys and a shift in the understanding of good and evil. Throughout the film, Sophie’s desire to become truly good and her belief in fairy tale ideals are challenged as she is manipulated by Rafal, who seduces her with promises of power through blood magic. Her transformation into an evil witch and her subsequent actions seem to put her at odds with her true self and her best friend, Agatha. However, in the final moments, Sophie performs an act of genuine goodness by risking her life to save Agatha, which breaks Rafal’s spell and restores her to her original, good-hearted self. This act of true love and self-sacrifice neutralizes the evil magic that Rafal had cast, causing the schools and the fairytale universe to return to peace and order.

Meanwhile, Rafal’s true identity as Rhian, the school head, is uncovered—he survived his fall from the cliff and had been impersonating Rhian to destroy the good school from within. His plan to dominate both worlds was foiled by Sophie and Agatha’s courage. In the chaos, Rafal is killed when Sophie and Agatha combine their powers to banish him. With Rafal gone, the balance of good and evil is restored, and the walls between the worlds close again, sealing away the threat of his return.

The film concludes on a note of redemption and reconciliation, with Sophie and Agatha choosing to return to their village together, embracing their complex identities as both good and evil. Their friendship, strengthened by their trials, reminds us that morality isn’t black and white but shades of gray. Yet, the lingering presence of a dagger belonging to Rafal hints that this peaceful state might be temporary, leaving the possibility open for future conflict or a sequel. Overall, the ending emphasizes that true goodness comes from love, sacrifice, and understanding, and that the boundaries separating good and evil are more blurred than they appear.

Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:57

Unlock the Full Story of The School for Good and Evil

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The School for Good and Evil Timeline

Track the full timeline of The School for Good and Evil with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

The School for Good and Evil Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in The School for Good and Evil

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape The School for Good and Evil. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in The School for Good and Evil

The School for Good and Evil Ending Explained

What really happened at the end of The School for Good and Evil? This detailed ending explained page breaks down final scenes, hidden clues, and alternate interpretations with expert analysis and viewer theories.

The School for Good and Evil Ending Explained

More About The School for Good and Evil

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More About The School for Good and Evil

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