The sequel offers nostalgia but struggles with narrative focus and emotional depth
Category: Arts & Culture
In Susanne Bier’s Practical Magic 2, legacy emerges as both an inheritance and a burden, revisiting the beloved story of the Owens sisters nearly twenty-five years after the original film. The sequel, which debuted on September 19, 2026, finds Sally (Sandra Bullock) a widow and Gillian (Nicole Kidman) single, with their daughters Kylie (Joey King) and Antonia (Maisie Williams) now in their mid-twenties, grappling with the family's magical legacy.
The film opens with Sally's desperate attempt to shield her daughters from their family's dark heritage. After losing her second husband to the family curse—cast by a heartbroken ancestor—Sally erases her daughters’ memories of magic, fearing the consequences of their lineage. This protective instinct falters when Kylie’s boyfriend, Gideon (Xolo Maridueña), falls into a coma following an accident, prompting a quest to England to break the curse.
As the story progresses, the film weaves multiple emotional threads, including Sally’s grief, Gillian’s restlessness, and the resurgence of the family curse. Critics note that this more fractured and shadowed tone diffuses the emotional throughline, leaving the narrative caught between intimate family drama and broader mythmaking ambitions. The charm of Bullock and Kidman, both reprising their roles with ease, carries much of the emotional weight, but the film struggles to maintain a cohesive narrative.
Kidman’s Gillian is portrayed as free-spirited and impulsive, providing a stark counterbalance to Sally’s more grounded demeanor. Critics have praised their chemistry, which serves as a highlight of the film. As the plot shifts to focus on the daughters, particularly Kylie, who is studying art and falls in love, the film attempts to explore the next generation’s relationship with magic and family legacy.
Visually, Practical Magic 2 oscillates between grounded intimacy and broader magical ambition. Bier, known for her work on films like Bird Box, approaches the Owens mythology with a mournful sensibility rather than the whimsical spontaneity of the original. This shift is evident in the film’s visual design, which recreates the iconic Victorian mansion with near-ritualistic care, echoing the handmade charm of its predecessor.
As the plot develops, Kylie learns about her family’s curse and the dangers it poses to her romantic relationships. Following Gideon’s accident, she decides to travel to England, seeking to break the curse with the help of her family and others, including Ian Wright (Lee Pace), an academic and warlock. This quest leads to a climax that involves a magical confrontation with a dark warlock, but the film's pacing and narrative structure have been criticized for being convoluted and overextended.
The original Practical Magic, released in 1998, became a cult classic, grossing $40 million at the domestic box office and receiving a mere 31% on Rotten Tomatoes. Its enduring appeal, characterized by themes of sisterhood and magic, has led to a devoted fanbase that eagerly anticipated the sequel. The new film, based on Alice Hoffman’s The Book of Magic, seeks to continue the legacy of the Owens sisters, exploring the impact of their family curse on subsequent generations.
In the sequel, the curse that has long haunted the Owens women remains a central theme. Sally and Gillian believed they had broken it, yet tragedy continues to strike their loved ones. The film's exploration of this inherited trauma and the challenges of familial love resonates with contemporary audiences, even as it grapples with the complexity of balancing multiple storylines.
Critics have noted that the film's attempts to blend comedy, romance, and darker themes lead to tonal inconsistencies. The absence of the original's more sinister elements, such as the serial killer subplot, results in a narrative that some viewers may find lacks depth and urgency. The film’s pacing, particularly in its final act, has drawn criticism for feeling rushed and disjointed, with many plot points left unresolved.
As the story reaches its climax, the stakes heighten for Kylie, who must confront the legacy of her family and the implications of their curse. The film culminates in a magical battle that tests the bonds of sisterhood and the power of love, but it is uncertain whether the sequel will satisfy fans of the original. The film has already made headlines by being the first to dethrone Spider-Man: Brand New Day at the box office after a six-week reign, indicating a strong interest from audiences.
As viewers flock to theaters, the success of Practical Magic 2 may hinge on the nostalgia it evokes and the emotional connections it fosters. The film offers a blend of charm and humor, bolstered by strong performances from its leads, but its narrative shortcomings leave some critics questioning its place in the cinematic legacy of the Owens family.
In the end, Practical Magic 2 serves as a bittersweet reminder of the passage of time and the enduring nature of familial bonds. As audiences engage with the film, they are invited to contemplate what it means to inherit both the gifts and burdens of one’s lineage. The film is currently running in theaters, allowing fans to revisit the world of the Owens sisters and potentially discover new layers to their story.