Practical Magic 2 is a Comforting but Ultimately Faded Spell
Practical Magic 2 (2026) is a gentler, less sharp return to the Owens family, mainly because it leans into the nostalgia over plot. It’s enjoyable to fantasy comedy fans, but a lack of the transformative aspect keeps it from being something more.
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A Muted Return to the Owens Hearth
Director Susanne Bier has a firm grasp on the visual palette in this sequel. With a focus on calm, autumnal melancholy, Bier replaces the original’s energy with a restrained, well-mannered elegance. Simon Duggan’s cinematography captures the coastal environment with a warm, fuzzy glow, but the visuals are too grounded, lacking detail. It’s important to remember the family’s magical legacy, and they lack visual detail.
The balance of the central curse and the comedic elements is difficult to address, and the script, penned by Akiva Goldsman and Georgia Pritchett, suffers from this conflict as well. While the chemistry of Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman is evident, and grounds the flick, the addition of the younger iteration of the family; Joey King and Maisie Williams, seems to pull focus instead of illuminating the family lore.
Struggling with the Weight of Legacy
The film excels when focusing on the internal Owens women dynamics and incorporating the supernatural. The narrative duty and common trauma of the family align with the obligations of family duty. That being said, the pacing is notable in a negative way in the film’s lengthy 130 minutes, placing the viewer in the Second Act of a tired narratively drawn out plot explaining the curse.
This film does not need to be a sequel, and serves better as a standalone character study with some magic thrown in. The magic sequences are technical in nature without any real danger and lack of threat, making it a narrative requirement of storytelling, lacking in danger to the protagonists.
Who Should Invoke This Magic
This film is made for those who care about the on-screen characters and enjoy the original with the given limitations. If you’re looking for a creative plot and thought-provoking film that advances the boundaries of fantasy film as a whole, then this film is not for you.
Finally, Practical Magic 2 falls into the middling releases. It’s a not bad, but not great, entry to the series that owes its charm to its predecessors. At best, it’s a pleasant visit that doesn’t add much to the franchise.
