Practical Magic 2 (2026)

Practical Magic 2 is directed by Susanne Bier, who previously worked with Sandra Bullock on Bird Box. The film brings back the Owens sisters, with Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman returning. Sally is still the more grounded and tightly wound of the two, while Gillian remains a little more aloof and unpredictable. Unfortunately, the movie struggles with pacing, and there are several moments where the suspension of disbelief starts to wear thin.

Sandra Bullock returns as Sally and continues to fit naturally into the role. Sally's more serious personality provides a good contrast to Gillian, and Bullock still has the presence to make the character enjoyable to watch. Her chemistry with Nicole Kidman remains one of the more important parts of the movie, especially because the two sisters have such different personalities.

Nicole Kidman returns as Gillian, bringing the same more carefree and aloof personality that separates her from Sally. Kidman seems comfortable stepping back into the character, and her performance gives the film some of the lighter moments it needs. The relationship between the sisters is still one of the movie's stronger elements, even when the story itself starts to become less convincing.

Joey King plays the new main witch, who falls in love with Mr. Perfect, played by Xolo Maridueña, known for Blue Beetle. King was really the better choice from an acting standpoint, bringing more personality and energy to the role. Maridueña is likable enough in the role, although the character is intentionally designed to be almost impossibly perfect, which contributes to some of the film's suspension-of-disbelief problems.

Maisie Williams, known for Game of Thrones, plays the other newcomer and unfortunately comes across as much more wooden under Bier's direction. Williams has demonstrated that she can give a much stronger performance, particularly in Game of Thrones, but that same energy does not come through here. Her performance feels noticeably flatter compared to Joey King, making the contrast between the two newcomers especially obvious.

Overall, Practical Magic 2 has some enjoyable performances and enough of the original film's charm to keep it watchable, but the pacing problems and increasingly difficult suspension of disbelief hold it back. Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman still work well together, while Joey King makes a strong impression as the new addition to the story. Unfortunately, the film never quite finds the balance between its character drama, romance, and magical elements. Practical Magic 2 is not terrible, but it is far from the return it could have been. Result: C+

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