A cult classic's long-awaited return
Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman are returning as the witch sisters Sally and Gillian Owens in Practical Magic 2, a sequel to the 1998 fantasy romantic comedy that initially drew mixed reviews. The original film has since found a new generation of fans online, who now treat it as a cult classic and an autumn tradition. That renewed enthusiasm, amplified by social media, helped persuade the two stars to reprise their roles almost thirty years later, they say.[S1]
Bullock remarked that it is rare to be asked by audiences to make a film, since usually the actors are the ones approaching studios. The sequel also introduces Joey King and Maisie Williams as Sally's daughters, Kylie and Antonia. King, known for The Kissing Booth, told BBC Newsbeat that the appetite for nostalgic content stems from the pace of modern life and technology, and that people miss a time when they were less reachable. She sees cinema's ability to create lasting memories as part of that appeal.[S1]
Nostalgia, remakes and pushing stories forward
The sequel arrives as reboots, reunions and remakes dominate film and television schedules. Williams, known for Game of Thrones, agreed that the trend reflects a longing for simpler times, but expressed gratitude that the project is a sequel rather than a remake. She argued that stories should move forward and that new stories matter, while acknowledging that old stories can still be meaningful. She said she is not a fan of remakes because they can prevent the telling of new stories.[S1]
Practical Magic 2 returns to a world of ancestral magic and a family curse that dooms any man who loves an Owens woman. The sequel includes nods to the original, such as family tension, dark romantic witchcore fashion and midnight margaritas. Dianne Wiest and Stockard Channing reprise their roles, while Lee Pace, Xolo Maridueña and Solly McLeod join the cast. The Hollywood Reporter described the sequel as slapdash but enjoyable if viewers embrace its lack of logic and the chemistry among the actresses.[S1]
Sisterhood and women's rights in focus
Williams said stepping into the Practical Magic universe felt somewhat daunting, yet she described the existing cast as welcoming, drawing the new arrivals into their sisterly circle. The sibling relationship stays at the heart of the narrative. Bullock remembered that when the first movie came out, detractors complained it was overly witch-themed and featured too many female characters. Noting that women's rights are being challenged in certain nations, Williams described the present period as difficult and underlined how vital it is for women to stand by each other.[S1]
Williams noted that young women are staying in education longer and that women without children sometimes earn more than their male counterparts, which she finds exciting, but she added that much work remains. She suggested that the imagery of witches, symbiosis and power can help push women forward.[S1]
