Official promotional poster. Rights belong to the respective rights holders.
Read the film reference Availability and pricing vary by region.MaleficentA movie brief.
2014 / Fantasy / Directed by Robert Stromberg, Kevin McCarthy
Evil takes many forms.
What is Maleficent about?
Maleficent is a powerful fairy who seeks revenge against King Stefan and his kingdom. She casts a curse on Stefan's daughter, Aurora, to prick her finger on a spinning wheel's spindle and die before sunset on her sixteenth birthday.
Five things to know.
Setup
The 2014 live-action film presents Maleficent as a sympathetic character, a benevolent fairy who defends the Moors, a realm of supernatural beings, from neighboring humans.
World
The Moors is a mystical domain where Maleficent lives and rules, filled with fantastical creatures and governed by its own rules and magic.
Pressure
Maleficent's peaceful life is disrupted by humans, leading to her betrayal and mutilation, which fuels her desire for revenge.
Craft
Angelina Jolie's portrayal of Maleficent received critical acclaim, bringing depth and nuance to the character.
Viewing Note
The film offers a fresh perspective on the classic Disney tale, exploring themes of revenge, redemption, and the nature of evil.
A thought to take with you.
The story retells a familiar fairy tale from the viewpoint of the figure traditionally cast as its villain. Maleficent's grievance begins in betrayal, but the film's central interest is how that injury reshapes her ideas about protection, revenge, and the future of a child.
Is it your kind of movie?
Choose it for a fantasy reworking of Sleeping Beauty centered on Maleficent. It softens some familiar roles while retaining curses, battle, and peril.
Sources & scope
This AI-assisted brief is based on the linked secondary reference. Facts and interpretation are separated; it does not claim personal viewing or independent expert review.
Source details checked September 8, 2026. Suggest a correction · Our editorial approach