Upside-Down Magic
2020 · Directed by Joe Nussbaum
Original language: English
- fantasy
- family
- tv movie
The story
Nory and her best friend Reina enter the Sage Academy for Magical Studies, where Nory’s unconventional powers land her in a class for those with wonky, or “upside-down,” magic. Undaunted, Nory sets out to prove that that upside-down magic can be just as powerful as right-side-up.
What it’s like
Bright, bouncy family-channel daylight: sunlit school corridors, saturated greens of a tree-lined campus, and a warm, cheerful palette that never gets moody. Camera work is straightforward and friendly, with lots of medium shots of kids talking, quick cuts for spell effects, and playful bursts of colour and sparkle when magic goes sideways. The score is light and bouncy, all pizzicato strings and chiming percussion, with near-constant upbeat underscoring. The vibe is cheerful, breezy and gently comic, the kind of easy watch for a lazy weekend afternoon, a snow-day viewing with kids, or something to keep on while tidying up. Pacing is brisk and uncomplicated, with the emotional arc following a young girl who learns to trust her unusual abilities and a close friendship that is tested and repaired. Intensity is very low: some mild peril and minor scuffles, no gore, no sexual content, and no real cruelty beyond schoolyard teasing. It suits families with younger children, and anyone who wants a wholesome, low-stakes fantasy with a lot of heart.
More films like Upside-Down Magic
Closest in mood, pacing and theme. Tell us why you loved Upside-Down Magicand we’ll explain which ones fit you.
