Since the Matilda musical took stages by storm starting in 2010, it was only a matter of time before the tuneful adaptation of Roald Dahl's work became a film. And with Netflix signing a big deal with the Dahl estate, the streaming service is the home for that movie version. Check out the first teaser, featuring the likes of Emma Thompson, Lashana Lynch and Alisha Weir.
Matilda Wormwood (Weir) is a little girl with big curiosity, a sharp mind and a vivid imagination — and the worst family in the world. While her parents (Stephen Graham and Andrea Riseborough) content themselves with trashy TV and dodgy money-making schemes, she loves to lose herself in the pages of her beloved books. Where they are loud, selfish and unkind she is a quiet observer, thinking up small and cheeky acts of rebellion and revenge.
On meeting her inspirational teacher, Miss Honey (Lynch), Matilda is encouraged and begins conjuring her own fantastical tales. Excited to attend Crunchem Hall, Matilda is surprised to find the school is an ominous and oppressive place led by the huge and villainous Miss Trunchbull (Thompson).
As well as kind Miss Honey, the bright lights among the meanness are story-loving librarian, Mrs. Phelps (Sindhu Vee), and her newfound school friends. Filled with an overwhelming sense of justice, Matilda dares to take a stand for what is right and teach Trunchbull a lesson she won’t forget.
To make the movie, director Matthew Warchus reassembled the show's behind the scenes creative talent (Denis Kelly adapted the screenplay from his stage book, while composer Tim Minchin provides the songs and music). In the UK and Ireland, the film will be released exclusively in cinemas by Sony Pictures Releasing UK on December 2.