Maleficent: Mistress of Evil 2019

In the mystical realm of the Moors, three unsuspecting men stumble upon a whimsical gathering of mushroom fairies, their delicate forms swaying in the gentle breeze. As one of the men reaches out to capture the tiny creatures, chaos erupts, and they are confronted by a monstrous entity with imposing horns. Two of the men meet a grisly end at the creature’s hands, while the third manages to escape with one of the enchanted mushrooms in tow. The protagonist returns to the kingdom of Ulstead, where the fate of the precious relic remains shrouded in mystery.

Five years have passed since Maleficent (Angelina Jolie) assumed the role of guardian to Princess Aurora (Elle Fanning), rescuing her from the clutches of her father, King Stefan. However, the narrative surrounding Maleficent has been distorted, perpetuating a villainous image that belies the truth. In the present day, Aurora reigns supreme over the Moors, presiding over a realm where magical creatures flourish. A trio of fairies - Knotgrass (Imelda Staunton), Thistlewit (Juno Temple), and Flittle (Lesley Manville) - converge on Aurora’s presence, accompanied by a diminutive porcupine fairy named Pinto. The mischievous Pinto pilfers the crown from Aurora’s head, leading her on a wild goose chase that culminates in a tumble into the river. As she emerges from the water, she finds herself face-to-face with Prince Phillip (Harris Dickinson). Aurora’s realization of the fairy’s machinations is followed by Phillip’s romantic proposal, which she accepts to the delight of the assembled fairies.

Meanwhile, Diaval (Sam Riley), Maleficent’s trusted confidant, learns of Aurora’s decision and hastens to inform his mistress. However, before he can convey the full extent of the news, a displeased Maleficent takes to the skies, bound for Aurora with malevolent intent.

In Ulstead, Prince Phillip accompanies General Percival (David Gyasi) on the journey back to the kingdom. Like many of his countrymen, Percival views Maleficent and her Moorfolk as ruthless monsters, driven by a thirst for bloodshed. Upon arriving at the palace, Phillip shares the news of Aurora’s acceptance with his parents, King John (Robert Lindsay) and Queen Ingrith (Michelle Pfeiffer). The monarchs congratulate their son, and the three of them concoct a plan to host both Aurora and Maleficent at a grand dinner.

In the shadows, Queen Ingrith secretly convenes with her loyal servant, Lickspittle (Warwick Davis), in a lower chamber deep within the castle. There, she observes the creation of a sinister device, forged from the petals of a mysterious flower. As if this weren’t ominous enough, Ingrith’s intentions become increasingly clear, as she incorporates the accursed spindle into her nefarious scheme.

As Aurora ( actress name ) and her trusted companion Diaval accompany Maleficent (actress name) to Ulstead, the air is thick with tension. Maleficent’s approval of Aurora’s engagement to Prince Phillip is palpable, but it’s clear she’s not exactly thrilled about blending in with the mortal crowd. With a hint of mischief, Diaval helps her rehearse polite small talk, while Aurora presents her with a veil to conceal those unmistakable horns - a gesture aimed at making Ulstead’s inhabitants more… comfortable.

As they arrive in Ulstead, Maleficent is met with a deliberate display of hostility by Ingrith (actress name), who deliberately places iron silverware on the table, aware that fairies are severely weakened by its presence. The situation quickly escalates as Ingrith brings up Maleficent’s infamous curse and the disappearance of Ulstead’s men in the moors, insinuating she may have been behind their vanishing acts. The final straw comes when Ingrith declares that Aurora will finally have a “real” mother once she marries Phillip - a remark that sends Maleficent’s temper soaring.

With her wings spread wide, Maleficent demands to leave, but not before John (actor name) suddenly falls ill and collapses. As Ingrith spins the narrative to make it seem like Maleficent has cursed him, Aurora refuses to believe it, and Maleficent takes flight - only to be pursued by Gerda (Jenn Murray), who unleashes a barrage of iron projectiles that send her tumbling into the ocean.

Moments later, a creature uncannily resembling Maleficent swoops in to rescue her. As John is laid in his bedchamber, Aurora and Phillip suggest “true love’s kiss” as the cure for his mysterious illness - a notion Ingrith promptly dismisses when she reveals she has no romantic feelings for him (and is actually responsible for his condition). Meanwhile, Gerda reports back to Ingrith about the strange creature that intervened on Maleficent’s behalf.

As Maleficent’s consciousness gradually awakens from her prolonged slumber, she finds herself tended to by unknown hands. The wound that had once ravaged her body now seems a distant memory as she begins to explore the surroundings, her curiosity piqued. Her journey leads her to an assembly of Dark Fairies, including Conall (Chiwetel Ejiofor), the enigmatic figure who had previously intervened on her behalf. Among this gathering is Borra (Ed Skrein), a co-leader whose animosity towards humans stems from their perceived responsibility in the disappearance of the fairies. The arrival of Maleficent sparks a mixture of fascination and disdain, with Borra taking the opportunity to belittle her association with the mortal realm. This affront sparks a fiery retort from Maleficent, whose power Borra surprisingly finds intriguing, viewing it as a potential tool for exacting revenge against their common enemies.

As Conall takes Maleficent on a journey across the hidden world of the fairies, she discovers a mystical realm where her kin possess extraordinary abilities. Her guide reveals to her that she is descended from a fairy phoenix, but cautions her about the dangers of tapping into this ancient power, which had once been wielded by her ancestor for nefarious purposes. This cautionary tale serves as a warning, underscoring the risks of succumbing to the same dark impulses.

Meanwhile, Pinto (uncredited) covertly infiltrates the castle, only to be apprehended by Lickspittle and imprisoned alongside other captured fairies. Aurora, however, remains within the castle walls, where she is subjected to Ingrith’s insidious control. The latter forces Aurora to don a tattered, outdated wedding dress, an affront to the beautiful attire crafted by the three good fairies.

Lickspittle subsequently reveals to Ingrith that he has completed her deadly weapon – a powder infused with iron that can instantly vaporize any fairy that comes into contact with it. This sinister substance is demonstrated by Lickspittle’s brutal treatment of an innocent dandelion fairy, who is reduced to dust at the mere touch of the powder. Ingrith prepares to unleash this instrument of terror, and in a calculated move, summons the Moorfolk to attend Aurora and Phillip’s wedding under the guise of Gerda.

As the festivities unfold, Maleficent senses an ominous presence lurking beneath the surface. Her intuition leads her to the Moors, where she discovers that Ingrith’s soldiers have desecrated the land, pillaging the sacred flowers and firing iron bullets at any fairy who dares to stand in their way. Conall intervenes, sacrificing himself to protect Maleficent from harm. As his life force ebbs away, he transfers his essence to her, merging with the earth as his mortal form dissipates.

The death of Conall sparks a rallying cry among the fairies, as Borra proclaims that Ingrith has unleashed war upon them. United in their determination to defend their realm, the Dark Fairies prepare to face their enemy head-on. As Maleficent stands vigil by Conall’s side, she is left to grapple with the weight of his sacrifice and the burden of her own destiny.

As the Moorfolk converge on the kingdom for the solemn ceremony, Aurora becomes increasingly attuned to the faint resonance emanating from the tiny puncture wound on her finger. This unassuming indicator signals a profound awakening within her. Her intuition guides her toward Ingrith’s secret lair, where she stumbles upon the enigmatic spindle that unlocks a revelatory vision. Through this mystical portal, Aurora beholds the dark truth: Ingrith’s treachery, which culminates in the brutal dispatching of John with a cursed blade. Moreover, Aurora discovers the poignant tale of Lickspittle, once a majestic pixie whose wings were brutally severed by Ingrith’s tyranny, forcing him to serve under her oppressive yoke.

As Ingrith chases down Aurora, her guards hastily imprison the unsuspecting princess. Meanwhile, within the chapel, Gerda methodically unleashes a deadly torrent of red powder upon the Moorfolk, claiming the lives of several innocent tree folk. Outside, Maleficent and Borra valiantly lead the counterattack against Ingrith’s forces, but they are met with an onslaught of explosive powder bombs that swiftly dispatch some of their comrades, compelling them to regroup.

As the chaos ensues, Aurora shares her shocking discovery with Phillip, who is initially oblivious to his mother’s sinister machinations. However, upon learning the truth from his own mother, Phillip’s indignation boils over, and he defies Ingrith’s cruel authority by fleeing the tower on a trusty balloon. Borra swoops in, nearly striking down Percival as he readies to strike another fairy, but Phillip intervenes, refusing to condone his mother’s warfare or permit innocent bloodshed.

Maleficent bears witness to this pivotal moment and begins to discern that Phillip is a force for good, rather than a pawn in his mother’s nefarious games. Undeterred, she continues her quest for justice, ultimately confronting Ingrith on the tower. Meanwhile, amidst the mayhem, Flittle sacrifices herself by flying into the organ, imbuing it with her essence and triggering an explosion of flowers that halts the spread of Gerda’s deadly powder.

As the dust settles, Knotgrass and Thistlewit execute a daring diversion, distracting Gerda long enough for her to lose her footing on the balcony, ultimately meeting a fatal demise.

As Aurora’s tears stream down her face, Ingrith’s deceitful words are revealed: she had deliberately maligned Maleficent’s reputation, seeking to dominate the Moors by eradicating its mystical creatures. The very arrow intended to strike Maleficent is instead absorbed by the mysterious being, causing her to disintegrate into a thousand fragments. As Aurora mourns the apparent loss of her would-be savior, Ingrith makes one final, craven attempt to eliminate the princess by pushing her off the precipice. However, this desperate move only serves to galvanize Maleficent’s phoenix-like rebirth. The collapsing tower sends debris raining down upon the dueling pair as they tumble through the air, a poignant reminder of the destructive power that can arise from unchecked ambition.

In the aftermath of this dramatic confrontation, Maleficent seeks the counsel of Phillip, inquiring if his love for Aurora is genuine. With his heartfelt affirmation, she grants her blessing to their union. As Lickspittle arrives bearing the cursed knife used by Ingrith, Maleficent seizes the opportunity to break the spell, restoring the spindle’s power and awakening John from his slumber. The consequences of Ingrith’s actions are swift and merciless: she is transformed into a goat as punishment for her treachery.

The newlyweds Aurora and Phillip are soon surrounded by their friends and allies as they celebrate their union in a grand ceremony, with Maleficent proudly walking down the aisle alongside them. The integration of humans and fairies into both kingdoms marks a new era of cooperation and understanding. Meanwhile, Knotgrass and Thistlewit engage in a heated debate over the color of Aurora’s wedding dress, only to have a nearby flower miraculously imbue it with a radiant blue hue – a subtle hint that Flittle may still be watching over them from beyond.

As Maleficent bids farewell to the happy couple, she leaves behind a promise to return for their child’s christening, her mischievous grin hinting at the continued adventures that lie ahead. With a final flourish of her wings, she takes to the skies, soaring above the rolling hills as the fairies converge around her, an aerial procession marking the dawn of a new era in this enchanting realm.