It’s always tricky following up a beloved cult classic and like most sequels, Practical Magic 2 doesn’t quite capture the same magic of the original. While that cosy, autumnal, ‘90s nostalgia could never be fully recreated, this sequel doesn’t try to force it. It invites you back into the world of moonlit shenanigans with the eccentric Owens women, giving die-hard fans enough witchy charm to look past the film’s flaws.
Like the other major sequel of the year — The Devil Wears Prada 2 — this film leans into modern, often “Gen Z” language; Nicole Kidman’s character casually mentions Tinder and tells Sandra Bullock’s character to “lock in” — a phrase that feels odd at first but is humorous coming out of her mouth. That said, the overall modern style of the film is jarring in other ways. Where the original felt lived-in, with scuffed edges and a cosy, intimate atmosphere, this film feels overly polished and shiny. The house’s kitchen looks like something straight out of Architectural Digest and some of the costumes veer into Temu dupe versions of their first-film outfits. All of this only emphasises just how much the original film’s success and reception were tied to its aesthetic.
Oddly enough, this attempt at contemporary relevance falls flat when they arrive in England and travel by 1960s-era trains and buses — ironically the most unrealistic part of the film. It feels like an American production that had only experienced England through Harry Potter — charming in its intentions, witchy in its aesthetic, but anachronistic compared to the rest of the film (they consistently use modern mobile phones).
While the concept of breaking the family’s curse through Sally’s daughters’ coming-of-age felt like a natural progression for a sequel, it ultimately serves as a vehicle to explore Sally’s repression of her magic and rediscovering of who she is. Her daughter, Kylie’s disappearance forces her to confront the issues she had buried since making her children forget their magic. While the sisterly bond between Sally and Gillian flourishes even more, the dynamic between daughters, Kylie and Antonia, was given short shrift — underdeveloped and forgettable. I found this strange given how significant sisterhood is to the family’s identity and their motto: “nothing is stronger than sisterhood”.
The lack of depth for Kylie and Antonia was not helped by the casting of Maisie Williams and Joey King whose performances in my view, detracted from their roles. While King — an actress I often find off-putting — was better than expected, she was still frustratingly slow to grasp key moments. Meanwhile, Williams’ character didn’t get enough screen time to be able to meaningfully comment on anything. By the end, there was no emotional payoff. Their relationship with Sally felt slightly insincere and Antonia’s understanding came across as conspicuously forced and unsatisfying.
While the daughters weren’t the sole focus, I was glad for it. Their performances couldn’t match the original cast’s performances, and their weak storyline was redeemed by the heartwarming storyline of the aunts, which was handled well.
Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman’s chemistry was undoubtedly the heart of the film and their sisterly dynamic was the most bewitching element. The film was a lot funnier than I anticipated thanks to their quick-witted, under-the-breath exchanges and perfectly timed expressions. The script worked the best when the two of them dominated the screen.
Unfortunately, the film lost its footing whenever the male characters appeared which even the women’s self-aware quips could not cover up. The male characters were far better explored in the first film and the sequel’s villain was a stark disappointment compared to Goran Visnjic’s chilling presence in the original. Jimmy Angelov’s threat felt spooky, unnerving and genuinely scary while this villain came across as slightly phoney, unconvincing and devoid of menace. His motives were not compelling enough nor well-integrated and therefore, his storyline came across as rushed and strained at the climax.
Lee Pace’s character and Sally’s love interest, Ian Wright was initially engaging but quickly became annoying and sickly sweet, overdoing the charisma. I found myself wishing she would abandon any notion of romantic love, whether by focusing on her daughters or embracing Gillian’s carefree, noncommittal approach of ‘having fun’.
Overall, the plot suffered from juggling too many characters and story arcs, leaving the film feeling unnecessarily long. However, it was an enjoyable ride and proved the same thing that the first did: Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman’s sisterly dynamic truly resonates with audiences. Their synergy breathed life into the film and seeing them be giggly, flirty, unashamed and childish was a joy. As with the original film, it felt like a warm hug of womanhood and safe space for women to be themselves. If you can look past the narrative stumbles, as sequels go, Practical Magic 2 was one of the best I’ve seen and will be enjoyed most by those wanting to spend time with the Owens sisters again.
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