Nearly 25 years after the original film’s release, the long-awaited sequel to the 1998 romantic comedy "Practical Magic" has arrived in cinemas, directed by Susanne Bier. Despite high expectations and a devoted fanbase cultivated by the original, the follow-up struggles to recapture its predecessor’s charm and emotional resonance.
The story returns to the Owens family, a lineage of white witches burdened by a curse that dooms any man they openly love to an untimely death. Sisters Sally and Gillian Owens, portrayed once again by Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman, navigate the complexities of this family legacy. Sally, having renounced magic to shield her daughters from the curse, endeavours to erase their memories of the supernatural in the hope they can lead ordinary lives. She now works quietly as a librarian while living in the family’s enchanted Victorian home, alongside their quirky aunts Bridget (Dianne Wiest) and Frances (Stockard Channing).
Trouble arises when Kylie (Joey King), one of Sally’s daughters, openly expresses love for her boyfriend, Gideon (Xolo Mariduena), who soon suffers a near-fatal traffic accident and slips into a coma. The curse’s sinister hold becomes clear, prompting Sally and Gillian to seek help from London-based academic Ian Wright (Lee Pace) in an effort to protect the family from further tragedy and lift the curse.
Kylie, meanwhile, journeys to England with an ancient book from Bridget’s possession, attempting to unravel her family’s dark past with the assistance of a local villager, Tom (Solly McLeod). Along this narrative path, the film revisits many of the original’s iconic touches, from tequila-laden scenes to rooftop moments with umbrellas, designed to appeal directly to longtime fans.
Critics note that the plot is thin and primarily focused on Sally and her immediate family, reducing Kidman’s character to a supporting role that oscillates between humor and wisdom. Bullock’s skill with physical comedy remains a highlight, and King delivers a powerful portrayal of Kylie’s emotional turmoil, although some plot developments strain credibility.
Lee Pace’s character adds a romantic element, marked by a notably candid first encounter with Bullock’s Sally, while Maisie Williams’s role as Antonia, a doctor tasked with caring for the comatose Gideon, is largely underutilized.
Ultimately, the sequel struggles to match the originality and energy of the first film. While it maintains a steady narrative rhythm, many find its impact faint, lacking the spark that made the original a cult favorite.