Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (2019) Plot Summary & Timeline

In the enchanting world of the Moors, three oblivious men happen upon a whimsical assembly of mushroom fairies, their intricate frames dancing with the gentle wind. As one adventurer attempts to capture these delicate beings, chaos ensues when they are unexpectedly confronted by a formidable monster with towering horns. Tragically, two of the men meet their fate at the creature’s hands, while the third narrowly escapes, clutching one of the magical mushrooms. He returns to the kingdom of Ulstead, where the true purpose of this mystical relic remains cloaked in mystery.

Fast forward five years; since taking on the role of protector to Princess Aurora, Maleficent (portrayed by Angelina Jolie) has been miscast as a villain, her real story obscured. Presently, Aurora, played by Elle Fanning, reigns over the Moors, a haven for magical creatures. One day, Knotgrass (Imelda Staunton), Thistlewit (Juno Temple), and Flittle (Lesley Manville) arrive, accompanied by a pesky little porcupine fairy named Pinto. In a somewhat comical turn of events, Pinto swipes Aurora’s crown, leading to a humorous chase that concludes with Aurora falling into a river. When she surfaces, it’s to discover Prince Phillip (Harris Dickinson) waiting for her. Their ensuing romantic moment is soon punctuated by Phillip’s proposal, which Aurora joyfully accepts, delighting the fairies around them.

Meanwhile, Diaval, Maleficent’s loyal friend, is en route to deliver the news of Aurora’s engagement. However, his message is interrupted when a furious Maleficent, ridden with complex emotions, flies off towards Aurora.

Within the kingdom, as Prince Phillip travels back with General Percival (David Gyasi), a wave of animosity toward Maleficent and her kind becomes apparent. This hostility solidifies when Phillip shares the news of his engagement with his parents, King John (Robert Lindsay) and Queen Ingrith (Michelle Pfeiffer). Together, they plot to host a lavish dinner to welcome both Aurora and Maleficent.

However, in the shadows, Queen Ingrith conspires with her devoted follower Lickspittle (Warwick Davis) in a dark chamber, where she oversees the creation of a sinister weapon crafted from petals of a mysterious blossom. The depth of her malice is revealed as she incorporates an envenomed spindle into her wicked plot.

As Aurora joins Maleficent for the journey to Ulstead, tensions run high. Although Maleficent enhances her approval of Aurora’s betrothal to Phillip, she is evidently displeased about mingling with humans. Diaval humorously assists her in rehearsing polite conversation, while Aurora provides Maleficent with a veil to disguise her signature horns.

Upon arriving at Ulstead, Maleficent is met with overt hostility from Ingrith, who intentionally sets the table with iron cutlery, aware that it weakens fairies. The dinner quickly unravels as Ingrith spitefully mentions Maleficent’s infamous curse and brazenly hints at the disappearance of Ulstead’s men in the Moors—a veiled accusation aimed at Maleficent. Ingrith then makes her final, inflammatory remark stating that Aurora will gain a “real” mother upon her marriage to Phillip, igniting Maleficent’s fury.

As Maleficent’s wings spread wide, she defiantly demands to leave just as King John unexpectedly falls ill, collapsing at the table. Ingrith spins a tale that casts Maleficent as the villain, leading Aurora to doubt her newfound mother’s intentions. In a climactic moment, Maleficent takes flight, pursued by Gerda (Jenn Murray), who unleashes a flurry of iron projectiles that plunge Maleficent into the ocean’s depths.

In an unexpected twist, a creature reminiscent of Maleficent swoops down to rescue her. Meanwhile, John is laid up in his chamber, and Aurora proposes a “true love’s kiss” as the remedy for his ailment. Ingrith dismisses the idea, revealing her lack of affection for John and her role in his condition. Gerda, loyal to Ingrith, reports a strange beast that intervened in Maleficent’s defense.

As Maleficent gradually regains consciousness, she realizes she is being cared for by unfamiliar beings. The anguish that once scarred her seems like a fading echo as she explores her surroundings. This journey leads her to a council of Dark Fairies, featuring Conall (Chiwetel Ejiofor), the enigmatic defender who had previously saved her. Coming into conflict with Borra (Ed Skrein), he contends that humans are responsible for the fairies’ plight, resulting in a simmering tension as Borra ridicules Maleficent’s connection to the mortal realm. But as the narrative unfolds, Borra finds Maleficent’s power alluring and envisions a chance for revenge against their shared adversaries.

Conall guides Maleficent through a hidden realm brimming with other fairies, revealing her heritage as a descendant of a fairy phoenix. He warns her of the threats attached to this ancient power, once wielded for malevolent purposes by her forebear. Meanwhile, Pinto stealthily breaks into the castle and is soon captured by Lickspittle, alongside other enchanted beings. Aurora remains trapped in the castle, where Ingrith relentlessly exerts her authority, pushing Aurora to wear a ragged wedding gown that starkly contrasts the elegant creations of her fairy friends.

Lickspittle confides in Ingrith about finalizing her lethal weapon—a powder engineered with iron that can annihilate any fairy it touches. A brutal demonstration on an innocent dandelion fairy underscores the terror this weapon can unleash. Ingrith, with devastating intent, prepares to unleash her horror upon the Moorfolk during Aurora and Phillip’s wedding, masking her actions under the pretense of goodwill.

As the wedding approaches, Maleficent senses a foreboding atmosphere and turns to the Moors, where she discovers that Ingrith’s soldiers have laid waste to the sacred lands, indiscriminately attacking fairies. In a noble sacrifice, Conall protects Maleficent, merging his life force with the earth just before he perishes. His death ignites a fierce rally among the fairies. Borra decries the war ignited by Ingrith, uniting their forces to retaliate against the burgeoning threat.

As the Moorfolk converge upon Ulstead for the wedding, Aurora experiences a profound awakening triggered by a mere puncture wound on her finger. Following her intuition, she discovers Ingrith’s hidden lair, unveiling the grisly truth of her treachery—a plan that culminates in the brutal murder of King John using a cursed blade. Moreover, she learns the heartbreaking history of Lickspittle, the once-majestic pixie depraved of freedom due to Ingrith’s oppressive reign.

As Ingrith pursues Aurora, her guards capture the unsuspecting princess. Meanwhile, the sinister Gerda devastates the gathering Moorfolk with a lethal stream of red powder. Outside, Maleficent stands alongside Borra in the clash against Ingrith’s soldiers, battling against the explosive countermeasures that threaten their safety.

Just as chaos reigns, Aurora recounts her chilling discovery to Phillip, who initially struggles to grasp his mother’s insidious schemes. Upon realizing the truth, Phillip erupts in anger, repudiating Ingrith’s cruel governance as he flees the ominous tower on a trusty balloon. Borra intervenes to shield Phillip from Percival’s attack, preventing further bloodshed among innocents.

In a pivotal moment, Maleficent observes that Phillip embodies good, rather than being a mere pawn to his mother’s malicious tactics. Undaunted, she perseveres, ultimately confronting Ingrith in a dramatic showdown. Amid the tumult, Flittle makes the ultimate sacrifice by igniting the organ with her essence, causing an explosion of flowers that disrupts Gerda’s maneuvers.

As the dust settles, Knotgrass and Thistlewit ingeniously distract Gerda long enough for her to meet her end by falling from the balcony. Heartbroken, Aurora learns of Ingrith’s duplicitous manipulation which sought to subjugate the Moors through the eradication of its magical inhabitants. The destined arrow intended for Maleficent absorbed by a mysterious force leads to an ethereal retribution, annihilating Ingrith’s malevolent essence.

With Aurora at the precipice, Ingrith attempts one final desperate assault against her. Yet this only ignites Maleficent’s rebirth, akin to a phoenix rising from the ashes as the duel escalates amidst the collapsing tower. Following this climactic clash, Maleficent seeks counsel from Phillip, curious if his love for Aurora is genuine. His heartfelt response earns her blessing for their union.

As Lickspittle presents the cursed knife wielded by Ingrith, Maleficent seizes the moment to unravel the spell, revitalizing the spindle’s power and awakening King John from his own slumber. The repercussions of Ingrith’s actions are swift and unforgiving; she is cast down, transformed into a goat as a consequence of her betrayals.

Soon after, Aurora and Phillip are enveloped by jubilant friends and allies at their wedding. Maleficent proudly walks alongside the couple, heralding a new era of understanding and cooperation between humans and fairies alike. Knotgrass and Thistlewit humorously argue over the hue of Aurora’s wedding dress, only for a nearby flower to infuse it with a dazzling blue—a subtle indication that Flittle continues to watch over them.

As Maleficent bids adieu to the newlyweds, a glimmer of future adventures sparkles in her eye. She assures them she will return for the christening of their child, showcasing her signature grin at the prospects awaiting them. With a dramatic flutter of her wings, she ascends into the sky, soaring among the hills as the fairies gather around her, heralding the dawn of a promising new chapter in their magical realm.