It’s the most classic story of all: the prince and the princess live happily ever after. However, Into the Woods, a musical film directed by Rob Marshall that makes its way into theatres later this week, dares to suggest that maybe the after of happily ever after is not all it’s rumored to be.

Based on a hit Stephen Sondheim Broadway play, Into the Woods links several well-known fairy tale characters in with an original story of a baker (played by James Corden) and his wife (played by Emily Blunt) on a quest for a mysterious witch (Meryl Streep). Two of the characters include Cinderella (played by Anna Kendrick) and her Prince (played by Chris Pine.)

According to an interview with Playbill, both Kendrick and Pine were eager to explore the idea that happily ever after may not be as final as the phrase suggests. Kendrick, a Tony Award winner and Oscar nominee, said Pine, best known for his work in Star Trek, was game to be a less than charming prince, showing that “maybe the handsome prince may not be a fully rounded human being.” For his part, Pine feels the story re-emphasizes that a woman does not need a man to be complete and teaches the important lesson that “in any human relationship, you need to understand and know the other person.”

The whole musical in fact explores the fates of all its characters after their respective “happily ever afters”, bringing home a comment on fate. As Pine says, “You may have an idea of what your life will look like or what the story will play out, but you’ll only really know when you’re knee-deep out there living it, to know what you’ll like or want.”

Into the Woods opens Christmas day.