“Did you ever wonder where every great fairytale begins?” Charlize Theron purrs in the just-released teaser for The School for Good and Evil. It’s as enticing of an invitation as being summoned to the school itself. The teaser is the first look at the new film from director Paul Feig, starring Theron alongside Kerry Washington, Sophia Anne Caruso, and Sofia Wylie, and it’s got a few eye-widening moments that show what the School for Good and Evil universe has in store. 

The film is the screen adaptation of the popular YA fantasy series written by Soman Chainani. The School for Good and Evil tells the story of Sophie (Caruso) and Agatha (Wylie), polar opposite best friends who also both happen to be misfits in their village, Gavaldon.

One fateful night, Sophia and Agatha are swept away from their village to the School for Good and the School for Evil, respectively. The School for Good is run by Professor Dovey, played by Washington, and the School for Evil is run by Lady Lesso, played by Theron. What happens next is the stuff of all the best fairytale lore, and School also stars Laurence Fishburne, Michelle Yeoh, Patti Lupone, and Rachel Bloom. 

In a panel discussion for Netflix’s Geeked week, Chainani said that while The School for Good and Evil is full of magic, it’s not exactly what you might think, and it’s also a departure from the classic narratives that focus on a singular male hero conquering evil forces. “I wanted a magical school that felt like a Madonna concert,” Chainani said. “I wanted this high female energy that’s powering the school.”

The teaser gives audiences a tantalizing glimpse into what The School for Good and Evil has in store, including a giant, bestie-transporting bird, a looming school for magic on a rocky cliff, a piercing scream or two, and of course, Theron’s buttery, so-smooth-you-forget-it’s-sinister Lady Lesso voice. Watch the brand new clip below and go back to school when the film premieres this September. 

‘The School for Good and Evil’ Teaser

Geeked Week is a celebration of Netflix’s immersive slate of storytelling across sci-fi, fantasy, gaming, anime and more. Check out Tudum’s full coverage of Geeked Week here, and follow Netflix Geeked on Twitter for the latest updates.