Disney Channel Original Movie based on the book series of the same name by Sarah Mlynowski, Lauren Myracle, and Emily Jenkins. The movie blends fantasy, magic, and friendship, focusing on a young girl discovering her unique powers and learning to embrace them, even when they don’t fit traditional expectations.
Plot Overview:
The story is set in a magical world where certain kids possess the ability to perform various types of magic. At the Sage Academy of Magical Arts, young students are trained to hone their abilities. The academy is divided into different types of magic: Fluxers, who can change into animals; Flares, who control fire; Glows, who manipulate light; and other specialized magical abilities.
The main protagonist, Nory Boxwood Horace, is a 12-year-old girl who, like many kids in this magical world, is learning to control her powers. Nory comes from a long line of talented wizards and witches, and her family expects her to follow in their footsteps. However, when Nory’s magical abilities manifest, she finds that she doesn’t quite fit in. Instead of transforming into a specific animal like most Fluxers, Nory’s magic is unpredictable—sometimes, she changes into strange or mismatched creatures (like a mix of a cat and a dragon). This causes her to be labeled as having “Upside-Down Magic” (a term used for magic that is out of control or unconventional).
After a disastrous first attempt to demonstrate her abilities, Nory is sent to a special class for students with “imperfect” or unusual magic, known as the Upside-Down Magic class. Here, she meets other kids who also have unconventional magical powers, such as Reed, a boy who can create storms but struggles with controlling them, and Bryn, a girl who can make things float but often sends them spinning out of control.
At Sage Academy, students are supposed to be trained to control their magic and prove their worth. Nory and her new friends must navigate their magical training while also dealing with the pressure of fitting in and meeting the high expectations of the academy. They also have to face the antagonistic headmistress, Headmistress Knightsford, who believes that only students with “perfect” powers deserve to be trained at Sage Academy.
As the story progresses, Nory and her friends learn that embracing their unique powers and working together is what truly makes them strong. They discover that their “upside-down” magic, though unpredictable, can be just as powerful—if not more so—than conventional magic. Along the way, they must face obstacles, uncover secrets about the academy, and prove that being different can be a strength.
