Director: Matthew Warchus
Writer(s): Roald Dahl (based on the book by); Dennis Kelly (screenplay and musical book); Tim Minchin (screenplay and musical book)
Starring: Alisha Weir, Emma Thompson, Lashana Lynch, Stephen Graham, Andrea Riseborough, Sindhu Vee, Carl Spencer, Lauren Alexandra, Winter Jarrett-Glasspool, Andrei Shen, Ashton Robertson, Meesha Garbett, Charlie Hodson-Prior, Rei Yamauchi Fulker, Katherine Kingsley, Amber Adeyinka, James Laurenson, Ann Firbank, Amanda Lawrence, Thomas Arnold, James Dryden, Matt Henry, Karen Mavundukure, Tia Isaac, Ella Chadwick, Erin Rushidi, Rudy Gibson, Isa Islam, Joshua Moabi, Poppy Caton, Ian McIntosh, Kirsty Malpass, Tim Bentinck, Charlie Beeton, Daniel Bill, Serrana Su-Ling Bliss, Toby Brandon, Isla Brill, Olivia Clark, Atalia Mai Cornelia, Imogen Darwen, Hannah Deverell, Charlie Gordon, Myka Holland, Noah Leggott, Bebe Massey, Chloe Muldowney, Sara Munday, Elizabeth Nurdin, Lyla Toplass, Leon Ung, Scarlett Weegram, Poppy Whittaker, Rochelle Wyatt, Natalie Anson-Wright, Lauren Beacham, Jessie Benedick, Yasmin Boys, Kieran Chalker, Luke Cinque-White, Abigail Climer, Kit Cranston, Bryson Dekker, Jemma Geanaus, Siu-see Hung, Oliver Jackson, Summer Jenkins, Muzz Khan, Quentin Lee, Louis Martin, Lila McNamara, Jack Meredith, Jenny O’Leary, Nick Owenford, John Porter, Richard Sutar, Mia Turrent
Synopsis: Matilda Wormwood (Alisha Weir) is a little girl with big curiosity, a sharp mind and a vivid imagination – and the worst parents 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 (Lashana 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 (Emma Thompson). As well as kind Miss Honey, the bright lights among the meanness are story-loving librarian, Mrs. Phelps (Sindhu Vee), and Matilda’s 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. Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical is an inspirational musical tale of an extraordinary girl who discovers her superpower and summons the remarkable courage, against all odds, to help others change their stories, whilst also taking charge of her own destiny. Standing up for what’s right, she’s met with miraculous results. Directed by Tony Award-winning director Matthew Warchus (Matilda The Musical), the film is produced by Eric Fellner and Tim Bevan for Working Title, Jon Finn (Billy Elliot), and Luke Kelly of The Roald Dahl Story Company. Screenwriter Dennis Kelly adapts the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production for the big screen, with original music and lyrics by Tim Minchin.
Release Date: December 16, 2022 (USA) | Length: 117 min | Genre: Comedy, Drama, Family, Fantasy, Musical | MPAA Rating: Rated PG for thematic elements, exaggerated bullying and some language. | Note(s): Original title: Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical. This film is set to open the 66th BFI London Film Festival in October 2022. Above is the Netflix US release date. The title was changed from “Matilda” back to “Matilda the Musical”.