‘Practical Magic 2’ Review: Familiar Spells Still Work Their Magic

Watching a movie about witches can be either a terrifying experience (The VVitch) or a heartwarming, wonderfully fun one (Hocus Pocus). When director Griffin Dunne (Addicted to Love) released Practical Magic in 1998, audiences fell under the spell of Sandra Bullock (The Lost City) and Nicole Kidman (Babygirl) as romantically cursed witches learning to navigate their powers. The sleeping potions, midnight margaritas and love curses turned the movie into a cult classic among fans of witchcraft, feel-good stories and the sisters’ unbreakable bond. A sequel bringing that magic back to the big screen therefore seemed like only a matter of time. But can Practical Magic 2 by filmmaker Susanne Bier (The Undoing) cast the same spell all over again?

Yes and no. Bullock’s Sally has now sworn off magic to protect her two daughters (Joey King and Maisie Williams) from the heartbreak haunting her own past, casting a memory spell on them in the process. However, big secrets like this don’t stay buried for long in the Owens family. After Kylie (King) discovers the truth and fears the family curse threatens her, she sets out to break it herself. Her mission becomes even more urgent when a freak accident leaves her boyfriend in a coma.

Does this story sound predictable? That’s because it is. A daughter determined to fix an almost impossible problem by going on a difficult journey? Check! A worried mother and her sister following closely behind? Double-check. Throw in potential romances complicated by that troublesome curse, and the familiar ingredients are all there. Luckily, the predictable story doesn’t completely rob the movie of its charm.

Much of that charm comes from returning to the comforting world of the Owens family. The house is always filled with warmth and brightness, immediately bringing back some of the original movie’s cosy atmosphere. Although Simon Duggan’s (The Great Gatsby) cinematography frequently shifts focus in ways that can leave characters strangely disconnected from their surroundings, the wonderful performances help retain that warmth. 

Stockard Channing (Grease) and Dianne Wiest (Edward Scissorhands) are an absolute delight whenever Aunt Frances and Aunt Jet appear. Their eccentric energy lifts both the movie’s magical side and its more emotional moments. Bullock and Kidman effortlessly slip back into their beloved characters. The former delivers a more grown-up performance as Sally, reflecting her desire to shield her daughters from everything she has endured. Meanwhile, Kidman brings Gillian’s wit and cleverness back with immense charm. Most importantly, the pair haven’t lost their natural chemistry. Their scenes still possess the magnetic screen presence that makes Sally and Gillian’s relationship so wonderful to watch. Even when the screenplay takes a predictable route and there’s noticeably less magic throughout this feature, both actresses make the movie worthwhile.

While the original stars remain at the heart of the movie, its central journey mainly belongs to King’s character. That gives The Lie actress the crucial role of connecting the different generations while holding the movie’s storylines together. Luckily for Bier, she does exactly that. Kylie might follow a predictable quest into unfamiliar, darker territory, but King ensures her emotions always feel sincere. It’s just a shame that Williams (The Owners) receives considerably less to work with as Kylie’s sister Antonia. That feels like a missed opportunity, as Williams’ quieter moments bring a wonderful groundedness to this magical world. Those scenes also showcase just how much more she could have brought to the movie.

Instead, Kylie’s predicament shifts the focus away from Williams as Sally and Gillian travel to London to save her. Their journey brings them into contact with Lee Pace’s (Foundation) historian who will try to help them during their increasingly complicated adventure. Pace is perfectly cast, balancing the necessary wit with enough seriousness to make his character the standout addition to the Owens world. He fits surprisingly naturally alongside characters audiences have known for decades. His chemistry with Bullock also gives one of the movie’s more predictable developments an unexpectedly touching quality. Their connection takes some time to develop because of both the storyline and that lingering curse, but once it does, you’ll definitely need some Kleenex at hand.

While predictability weakens the impact of the overall story, the warmth, wonderful performances and heartfelt celebration of family help keep Practical Magic 2’s magic alive.

Practical Magic 2 is out in US cinemas from the 11th of September courtesy of Warner Bros.