‘Matilda the Musical’ Ending Explained: Why Is Matilda Such a Special Little Girl?

Welcome to the Ending Explained for Matilda the Musical. The film is just the latest adaptation of Roald Dahl’s classic tale. In this opportunity, Netflix brings the musical version to the screen. The musical has been quite a success on stage, so it makes sense for it to receive a film adaptation. An adaptation that many other musicals wish they could have. The direction by Matthew Warchus and his team of filmmakers really managed to capture the feeling that can only come from one of Dahl’s stories.

The musical stars a cast of amazing actors. Alisha Weir, Lashana Lynch, Emma Thompson, Stephen Graham, and Andrea Riseborough. The story follows the classic book very closely, but, of course, it takes its time to add songs in between the most important plot points. The result is that the movie does feel a bit overlong, and what could have been a fantastic 90 minutes film ends up going over the two-hour mark. There is nothing wrong with that runtime, but there are definitely things that could be cut out. If you are a fan of musicals, you will not even notice it.

The following paragraphs contain spoilers for Matilda the Musical. Read at your own risk.

Why Is Matilda Such A Special Little Girl?

The film begins at the exact moment our main character, Matilda, is born. However, unlike the rest of the kids that were born that day, Matilda’s birth is not a matter of happiness for her parents. Dahl here is totally making a commentary on how some people are not mean to the parents, even when they share their blood with their kids. Unfortunately, there are also countless people who could be excellent mothers and fathers but haven’t gotten the chance to do it. Matilda’s parents are cheaters, ignorant, and lowlifes. And the worst thing is that they are very much happy to be like that.

Matilda, on the other hand, hasn’t even been able to go to school, as her parents believe that it is not important. They neglect Matilda’s education and affection to terrifying levels. When they are forced to take Matilda to school, they do it so angrily. Matilda is excited to go to school, as she loves to read and learn, but sadly she finds out that the school is run by a nefarious bully named Agatha Trunchbull. However, there is at least one good teacher called Miss Honey who wants the kids to learn in a safe environment.

Matilda becomes really close with Miss Honey, and soon it is revealed that Matilda is an actual genius. She is able to do mathematical problems that would stumble even the greatest masters of the subject, and she also reads at amazing speeds. Honey proposes that Matilda needs to be put on more advanced courses, but Trunchbull denies the proposal. She has come to an agreement with Matilda’s father, and she believes that the little girl is a demon and a gangster.

Why Does Matilda Develop Superpowers?

Matilda continues to assist to school, but the days are miserable outside of Miss Honey’s class. Trunchbull hates kids, and she bullies them and tortures them with delight. It makes you wonder why parents don’t do something when they see their kids coming home with bruises and blood on their uniforms. In one of those moments, Matilda realizes she can move things with her mind, and she uses her telekinesis to throw a newt inside Trunchbull’s outfit. Matilda also starts having dreams of a man leaving her daughter on a rainy day.

Matilda later discovers that the man from her dreams is Miss Honey’s father. Miss Honey tells Matilda how he died in an accident, but she believes Trunchbull had something to do with his death. However, she has no proof. Matilda reveals her powers to Miss Honey, who proposes the theory that Matilda’s mind energy needs to be used for something because the courses in school are just too below her level as a student. Matilda begins to plan her vengeance against Trunchbull in the name of Miss Honey and her father, Magnus.

During one of Trunchbull’s usual torture sessions, the kids revolt, and Matilda seizes the moment to use the chalk on the blackboard. There she passes for Magnus talking from beyond the grave, creates a huge monster out of chains, and gives Trunchbull the pigtails she hates so much. Humiliated, Trunchbull leaves, and Miss Honey seizes control over the school. How it was always meant to be. Matilda’s parents appear, and they are escaping from the police as it is discovered Matilda’s father is in some sketchy business. Miss Honey takes Matilda as her daughter, and together, they live happily ever after.

The film ends with the school transformed into a new and beautiful place where kids can actually learn and be themselves.