Matilda is a 1996 American comedy film directed by Danny DeVito and based on the novel of the same name by Roald Dahl. The film tells the story of a young girl named Matilda Wormwood (Mara Wilson), who is extremely intelligent and possesses telekinetic powers that she discovers as a result of her cruel and uncaring family.
Matilda's parents are Harry and Zinnia Wormwood, who don't care much for their daughter's intelligence and are more focused on their own interests, such as gambling, selling stolen cars, and eating junk food. Matilda's older brother, Michael, is no better, and spends most of his time watching TV.
Matilda finds solace in books, which she reads by the age of four, and in her teacher, Miss Honey (Embeth Davidtz), who recognizes and nurtures her intelligence. However, Matilda's life takes a turn when she discovers her telekinetic powers, which she uses to play pranks on her family and to thwart Miss Trunchbull (Pam Ferris), the tyrannical principal of her school.
Miss Trunchbull is a former Olympic hammer-thrower who terrorizes the students and staff, including Miss Honey, who is also Trunchbull's niece. Matilda's telekinetic powers eventually lead her to confront Trunchbull and expose her cruel behavior, which leads to Trunchbull's resignation.
In the end, Matilda's parents try to flee the country to escape tax fraud charges, but Matilda opts to stay with Miss Honey, who legally adopts her and gives her a loving home. The film ends with Matilda using her powers to move to the next chapter of her life, which involves more books and a happy future with her new family.