Even those who haven’t read Matilda, to name a few, have practically raised kids over the generations. For ‘90s kids like me, the movie Matilda stands out as one of the best, but there is a version that better represents the original Dahl novel.

Although the 1996 movie Matilda, which stars Mara Wilson in the titular role, was a fun fantasy movie that I fondly from my childhood, Matilda the Musical is a superior adaptation of the book. In particular, the 2022 adaptation of the musical, Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical, streaming on Netflix is a must-see, and while it does change some things from the book, it’s a much better representation of its story and themes than the ‘90s film.

How The Matilda Musical Is More True To The Book

It Faithfully Shows How Matilda Gets Her Powers

Naturally, a stage or film adaptation of a popular novel is going to have changes. Yet the changes in 1996’s Matilda are so far removed from the original source, it’s almost unrecognizable. Matilda the Musical does a much better job not only of staying true to the original story but also to Roald Dahl’s intended themes.

While it doesn’t necessarily hurt the ‘96 adaptation, the musical version being a distinctly British production feels much more authentic to Dahl's work.

Firstly, while it may not seem like much of a change, the Matilda story takes place in the UK, while the 1996 movie moves the story to America. This normally wouldn’t be much of an issue, except that the original novel is so heavily steeped in British culture. There’s a palpable difference in tone by having Matilda and the other characters be American, and while it doesn’t necessarily hurt the ‘96 adaptation, the musical version being a distinctly British production feels much more authentic to Dahl's work.

Another major difference from the novel is that the 1996 movie almost completely removed the character of Mrs. Phelps, who shows up only briefly. She plays a much larger part in the Matilda book as the librarian who encourages Matilda’s love of reading and helps her to find even more advanced works of literature. Mrs. Phelps is brought back into the musical version, playing a much bigger role in the story than even in the novel. However, by giving Mrs. Phelps a more prominent role, it enhances the book’s theme of encouraging kids to read.

One of the biggest ways Matilda the Musical is more true to the book is in how Matilda’s powers are represented. In the film, Matilda gets her powers when her dad makes her angry, then she uses them to make objects in the house move and dance around in a whimsical way. It makes a memorable sequence, but it’s not how it happened in the book. The musical has her telekinetic abilities manifesting when the adults in her life are mistreating her and other kids, which is more in line with the novel, and there’s much less humor involved.

Matilda The Movie Focuses Too Much On Her Parents

It Chooses Danny DeVito & Rhea Perlman's Comedic Chemistry Over The Book's Themes

There’s hardly a better on-screen pairing than Danny Devito and Rhea Perlman, who are absolutely hilarious together in the Matilda. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but with so much of the movie putting Matilda’s parents in the spotlight, it takes away from the true spirit of Dahl’s book. Most of the scenes with Perlman and Devito are played for laughs, and while the book does somewhat paint the parents in a comedic tone, the movie’s focus on them takes us away from the book’s more important themes.

In Dahl’s original story, Matilda’s parents aren’t nearly as central as in the 1996 film. The musical does this differently, staying more true to the book by having them present, but not hogging the storyline. Yes, they are horrible people, and Matilda finds ways of pranking her dad in order to let off some steam, just like in the movie, but the film pays far too much attention to those characters. The real conflict that the book and the musical focuses on is Matilda’s battle with Miss Trunchbull, the true villain of the story.

The Musical Is A Better Portrayal Of Matilda Vs. Trunchbull

She's Only A Secondary Antagonist In The 1996 Movie

Miss Trunchbull is one of the biggest, scariest, and meanest villains in all of children’s movies and literature. As a woman who unapologetically hates children, she represents every adult who has ever been cruel to kids. Yet, even with her terrifying demeanor, the 1996 movie falls short of accurately representing the conflict between her and Matilda.

When Matilda is the first student to tell Miss Trunchbull “no,” all the other students are inspired by her bravery and begin to rebel. Not only does Matilda stand up for herself, but for all of the kids at the school.

One of the biggest themes in the Matilda novel is about young people finding the bravery and conviction to stand up to bullies — especially grown-up ones. The musical and 2022 musical-movie deliver these themes brilliantly, as Matilda finds the courage to stand up against Miss Trunchbull. When Matilda is the first student to tell Miss Trunchbull “no,” all the other students are inspired by her bravery and begin to rebel. Not only does Matilda stand up for herself, but for all of the kids at the school, who have long suffered Trunchbull’s injustice.

However, the first Matilda film falls a little flat in this area. In the original movie adaptation, Matilda’s biggest opponent is her family, while Trunchbull is more of a secondary antagonist. Actually, the 1996 movie seems to focus more on the conflict between Trunchbull and Miss Honey than Trunchbull and Matilda. While Matilda fights back against Trunchbull (and causes her ultimate downfall in the end), there’s less of a lesson about standing against tyranny, as this storyline is mainly just played for laughs.

The Songs From Matilda The Musical Help To Soften The Story’s Darker Themes

But They Still Embrace Matilda's Message

Where the 1996 movie Matilda used humor to lighten some of the novel’s darker aspects, the songs in the musical version help to fill that role. Singer-songwriter Tim Minchin wrote Matilda the Musical, utilizing clever lyrics in fun and surprising ways. Just look at the lyrics for “School Song” and “Revolting Children,” and you’ll see what I mean.

Many of the songs also help to make the darker moments in Matilda less disturbing. In the scene where Miss Trunchbull forces the student Bruce to eat an entire chocolate cake, the kids cheer Bruce on with the song “Bruce.” While torturing the kids during phys ed, Miss Trunchbull sings “The Smell of Rebellion,” a hilarious song that intertwines her hatred for children with her indulgent personal fantasies.

Like many of Roald Dahl’s novels, Matilda has some very suspenseful and scary moments that might be a bit too much for some kids. By making Matilda a musical, it allows the story’s darker themes to come through without giving child audiences nightmares, and still manages to let the important message resonate.