Phil Roberts 
Practical Magic 2 is a solid but safe legacy sequel that does just enough to make the journey worthwhile. Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman still cast an irresistible spell with their electrifying sisterly chemistry.
After a less-than-stellar box office run, Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman’s Practical Magic went on to become something even more powerful: a bona fide cult phenomenon. Following a coven of witches taught to use their magic for practical purposes, the original film was a wonderfully unconventional blend of supernatural romance, family drama, domestic abuse themes, and old-fashioned family values. It was a bold swing that sadly failed to connect with audiences upon release.
But magic has a funny way of finding its way back around. As Practical Magic found a new life on streaming, word of mouth transformed the film into a beloved cult classic, with a new generation of fans falling under its spell. Now, almost three decades later, it’s finally time to reunite with the Owens sisters in Practical Magic 2.
The long-awaited sequel marks Sandra Bullock’s first film in almost four years following her well-earned break from the spotlight. And she’s not returning alone. Nicole Kidman, Stockard Channing, and Dianne Wiest are all reprising their iconic roles, with Bullock once again dusting off her wand and leading this beloved coven into a brand-new era. But can Practical Magic 2 recapture the charm that turned its predecessor into a cult favorite? Can this long-awaited reunion deliver the magical sequel fans have been craving? Or is Practical Magic 2 another cursed flop?
REVIEW
Well, witch fans, it gives me no pleasure to report that, much like the original, Practical Magic 2 is something of a mixed bag. Susanne Bier’s long-awaited sequel is a fun, feel-good legacy follow-up that plays things a little too safe. An overstuffed narrative, tired tropes, and some questionable plot choices weigh the story down, but Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman still cast an irresistible spell with their electrifying sisterly chemistry.
Newcomer Joey King becomes the film’s central focus, while Maisie Williams, cast as her sister, is frustratingly pushed to the sidelines with little to do beyond making up the numbers. Throw in a token villain, some underwritten characters, and a collection of conveniently placed love interests, and the plot occasionally struggles to find its rhythm.
That said, there is still plenty of magic bubbling away in the cauldron. The love shared between the Owens women provides the film with its strongest and most poignant moments, while their relationships bring some genuinely heartwarming joy to the proceedings. Add in a handful of uplifting moments of togetherness, and there’s enough warmth and charm here to keep the magic flowing. But is it enough to overcome the film’s many shortcomings? Let’s find out.
TOIL AND TROUBLE
For anyone keeping score, the sequel picks up the breadcrumbs left behind by the original and thrusts Sally’s (Sandra Bullock) biggest secret firmly into the spotlight. Her decision to shield her daughters from their magical heritage, in hopes of giving them a normal life, is finally coming back to haunt her. With both girls now fully grown, the echoes of their supernatural powers are surfacing, and Sally’s carefully constructed secret is starting to unravel.
Things take an even darker turn when Kylie Owens’ (Joey King) relationship with her boyfriend, Gideon (Xolo Maridueña), threatens to blossom into true love. As longtime fans will remember, falling in love is enough to trigger the curse that has plagued the Owens family for generations. Suddenly, Sally’s greatest fear is becoming a reality, and the stage is set for history to repeat itself. Enter the famous Aunts.
Thankfully, Dianne Wiest’s Bridget has a plan to break the curse before it can claim yet another unsuspecting suitor for the Owens women. Her actions set a chain of events in motion that sends the Owens clan across the Atlantic and into the UK, where they embark on a desperate search for a way to finally sever their family’s generations-old curse.
What follows is a wonderfully chaotic family drama packed with revelations, emotional twists, and plenty of high-stakes magic. Longtime fans of the original will find plenty to love, while newcomers may find themselves wondering what took them so long to discover the Owens family in the first place.
WITCHCRAFT
Sadly, despite all the hallmarks of an instant classic, the film overstuffs its plot with too many threads, leaving the result somewhat jumbled. Worse still, several of its characters are criminally underwritten, with Maisie Williams literally sidelined for large chunks of the film. Aside from a handful of tender moments as the story hurtles towards its climax, the Game of Thrones alum is given precious little to do beyond wandering around in her hospital scrubs and looking suitably miserable. Given that her character is such an important part of the Owens family, you’d expect her to have far more to contribute than she’s given here.
The same goes for Xolo Maridueña’s Gideon. Cast as Kylie’s love interest, the Blue Beetle star is saddled with a frustratingly thankless role. Aside from a few fleeting moments of romance, Gideon is little more than a convenient plot device, shuffled around whenever the story needs another piece moved into position. Even during the finale, he feels more like an afterthought, banished to the sidelines so the Owens women can take center stage. And let’s be honest, it isn’t exactly a shock — this is their movie, after all. But that doesn’t mean Xolo shouldn’t have been given a more substantial character to sink his teeth into. Gideon deserved considerably more than the wafer-thin role he’s been handed here.
ROMANCE AND BADDIES
But none of them fare quite as badly as Solly McLeod’s Thomas Lockland. Quite literally thrown into the mix at the eleventh hour, McLeod is saddled with the unenviable task of playing a generic, token bad guy whose motivations are about as convincing as the curse itself. With barely twenty minutes of screen time, Lockland is shoehorned into the role of the obligatory British villain, complete with a grudge so paper-thin that it practically tears itself.
Apparently, rage and vengeance are hereditary these days, and that’s deemed enough to build an entire villain around. There’s precious little depth to Lockland, no meaningful development, and nowhere near enough screen time for McLeod to make the character his own. He arrives, snarls, causes trouble, and disappears almost as quickly as he came. It’s a criminal waste of a talented actor, leaving us with a disposable antagonist who feels less like a genuine threat and more like a plot device conjured up when the screenplay needed someone to blame.
KEEPING PACE
Thankfully, Lee Pace dodges the same bullet as the token love interest, Ian Wright. Pace is rewarded with considerably more character depth to sink his teeth into than McLeod, and he brings some much-needed charm and warmth to the story in the process. Of course, having a British character named Ian Wright in a film released in the UK will always conjure images of the legendary England footballer. Thankfully, this Ian Wright is less interested in finding the back of the net and more concerned with witchcraft, curses, and keeping the Owens women on the right track. And as far as magical companions go, he proves to be a very safe pair of hands.
Even when saddled with one of the film’s more bizarre romantic dinner scenes — during which Wright casually pours gloopy, stone-cold custard over a steak and vegetable pie — Pace somehow emerges unscathed. Better still, his grit and determination are rewarded with one gloriously slick one-liner that deserves to go down in history as an absolute classic.
It’s the kind of line so effortlessly smooth that women everywhere may want to add it to their list of dream one-liners for any potential suitor to deploy at precisely the right moment. And believe me, it works a treat. The audience I watched the film with erupted as those tantalizing words left Pace’s lips. For a moment, Lee Pace wasn’t just playing a witchcraft-loving Ian Wright. He was every woman’s dream date rolled into one gloriously cheesy package.
SISTERLY MAGIC
But make no mistake, this film belongs to Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman. Despite a terrific showing from Joey King, who gets the film’s central hook, it is the undeniable chemistry between Bullock and Kidman that sparkles brightest. Bullock, in particular, is an absolute tour de force. She may have been away from the limelight for almost four years, but you’d never know it. She storms back onto the screen with all the charisma and comedic timing we remember, leading the film from the front and elevating every scene she touches.
Kidman is equally dazzling, slipping back into the role of Gillian as though she never left it. She brings the character roaring back to life with infectious energy, mischievous charm, and that unmistakable Kidman magic. While Gillian may not be quite as impactful this time around, Kidman’s sheer class shines through regardless. She knows exactly when to turn up the dial, when to lean into the comedy, and when to let the more emotional moments breathe.
MAGICAL RAPPORT
Separately, these two screen icons are brilliant. But when they share the screen, something truly magical happens. Bullock and Kidman complement each other beautifully, bringing out the very best in one another while their infectious energy practically oozes through the screen. Their bond is effortless, their chemistry undeniable, and we find ourselves completely invested in their journey.
We desperately want them to find happiness. We want them to finally break the curse that has haunted their family for generations. And we want them to find love, embrace their wonderfully chaotic lives, and get back to doing what they do best: enjoying a midnight margarita or three. And when Bullock and Kidman are firing on all cylinders, they don’t just flow — they absolutely fizz with pizzazz.
More importantly, we feel their pain when their relationship begins to fracture. The laughs land, the magic sparkles, and the emotional beats hit surprisingly hard. Such is the power of this marvelous duo. Bullock and Kidman aren’t simply reprising their iconic roles; they are the beating heart of the film, reminding us exactly why we fell in love with the Owens sisters in the first place.
MUSICAL MAGIC
In addition to Simon Duggan’s gorgeous, warm cinematography, the film shines thanks to another sweeping score from the legendary Rupert Gregson-Williams. Filling the shoes of Alan Silvestri is no mean feat, but Gregson-Williams steps up to the cauldron and delivers a beautifully weighted composition that perfectly complements the film’s blend of magic, comedy, romance, and family drama. His score adds emotional richness without ever overpowering it, giving the film an extra sprinkling of magic when it needs it most.
Offsetting Gregson-Williams’ wonderful composition is a treasure trove of well-placed and downright fun needle drops. These musical moments keep the film light and breezy, even when the story takes a darker turn. And yes, even the legendary “Coconut” song gets another run-out when the margaritas begin to flow. Because what would a Practical Magic movie be without a little musical mayhem and a cocktail or three?
All of these ingredients ultimately come together for a tender and heartfelt finale that reminds us why family matters. The film delivers a strong emotional message while bringing the story full circle, capturing much of the original’s charm while pushing the Owens family into a fresh new chapter.
Whether the film casts another spell strongly enough to conjure a third installment remains to be seen. But with Bullock and Kidman firing on all cylinders, a new generation of witches waiting to embrace the Owens legacy, and plenty of unfinished magical business still lurking in the shadows, I certainly wouldn’t say no to another round. After all, there’s always room for a little more toil and trouble — especially when the margaritas are flowing.
VERDICT
Overall, Practical Magic 2 is a solid but safe legacy sequel that does just enough to make the journey worthwhile. Susanne Bier has crafted a decent follow-up that brings out the very best in Bullock and Kidman, who once again command the screen with effortless brilliance and leave us wanting more. While Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest are largely limited to passing-the-torch performances, their presence and impact remain woven into the fabric of the story. Joey King steps up as the film’s focal point with an assured performance that deserves plenty of recognition, while Lee Pace brings enough charm and personality to make the most of his limited role.
Unfortunately, the jumbled plot, lack of depth, and undercooked supporting characters cast a dark cloud over proceedings, preventing the film from becoming greater than the sum of its parts. As magical as Bullock and Kidman remain, even their combined sorcery can only carry the film so far. There’s plenty to enjoy here, but it never quite recaptures the spellbinding magic of its predecessor.
Practical Magic 2 may not be the banger we were all hoping for, but it still serves up a healthy dose of magic, mayhem, family drama, and more margaritas than you can shake a witch’s broomstick at. So put the lime on the coconut, summon your nearest coven, and book yourself a ticket for a practical sequel. After all, sometimes a little toil, trouble, and tequila is exactly what the Owens family ordered.
Practical Magic 2 casts its spell on cinemas from September 11.
Meet Phil Roberts! He’s the dedicated owner, daily content manager, and editor-in-chief of The Future of the Force. Phil is a budding novelist who turned his passion toward writing about the franchises he loves back in 2016. He’s a huge fan of all things Star Wars, Batman, DC, Marvel, Star Trek, Indiana Jones, Ghostbusters, King Kong, and the Ray Harryhausen movies. Phil is a BFI-accredited journalist and a distinguished member of the Film Critics Association UK.
If he’s not catching a movie at the cinema, you can bet he’s streaming something just as awesome!
