Practical Magic 2

“Practical Magic 2” starts by undoing one of the biggest conclusions of the original film. Apparently, the Owens family curse was not broken after all.

The story begins around the death of Sally Owens’ second husband. After losing him, Sally completely swears off witchcraft. She tells her daughters that magic doesn’t exist, that they are not witches, and makes Gillian promise never to tell them the truth.

Fast-forward to Sally’s daughters as adults. Antonia Owens, played by Game of Thrones’ Maisie Williams, is pursuing medicine, while the more artistic Kylie Owens, played by Joey King, has fallen in love. We also reconnect with the older generation of Owens women. Bridget hears the Deathwatch Beetle and knows that her birthday is her final day on earth. After Kylie tells her boyfriend she loves him, he is struck by a bike and left in a coma. Kylie learns the truth of the Owens curse from her aunt and sets out to find a way to save him.

The acting is surprisingly stale. I don’t remember feeling this way about the original film at all. That movie had such an easy charm between its characters, even when dealing with darker subject matter. Here, everything feels much more forced. They also tried very hard to inject humor into some extremely dark moments, and it simply didn’t work for me. Instead of naturally lightening the movie, the comedy often feels like the actors are trying to convince us that we are still watching the fun, quirky world of “Practical Magic.” The warmth and chemistry that helped make the original memorable just isn’t here this time.

The plot is unnecessarily convoluted. The biggest issue is still the decision to reverse the ending of the original movie. Audiences spent an entire film believing the Owens women had finally broken this generational curse, only for the sequel to begin with, essentially: no the curse wasn’t lifted because we need a sequel. The movie never gives me a satisfying enough reason to undo something that was so important to the first film. Instead of expanding naturally upon the first movie, it often feels like the writers were creating new problems simply because they needed a reason for these characters to be dealing with the curse again.

Content of concern

There is quite a lot of objectionable content. The occult content is significantly heavier and darker than I remember in the original. Throughout the film there are spells, occultic chanting, séances, occultic blood rituals and sacrifice, automatic-writing, and repeated occult imagery and practices.

And yes, obviously, this is “Practical Magic.” Nobody should walk into a movie about a family of witches and be shocked that there is witchcraft. But there is a difference between the lighter, almost whimsical supernatural atmosphere of the original and what this movie chooses to portray. This sequel leans much more heavily into the darkness of the occult material, and I found it genuinely unpleasant to watch.

There is also swearing and repeated uses of “G*d” and “Oh my G*d,” which I found particularly jarring given everything else happening spiritually within the story. Premarital sexual activity is also depicted and utterances of promiscuity. His genitalia are covered, but a nude man is included with explicit references.

Christian Perspective

Let me be very clear here: none of the content of this film is biblical. None of it.

While this film leans much further into the darkness of the occult, do not mistake a lighter or more whimsical portrayal of witchcraft from the first film as something harmless. Dressing it up with humor, romance, or charm does not change what it is. From a biblical perspective, witchcraft is still witchcraft, and it is not of God.

As Christians, we do not engage in witchcraft, spells, séances, divination, communication with spirits, occultic blood rituals or other occult practices. These things are not presented in Scripture as harmless fun, another path to spirituality or something Christians should experiment with. They are explicitly outside what God calls His people to participate in.

There is no such thing as “Christian witchcraft” within biblical Christianity. We don’t need spells. We don’t need rituals to manipulate spiritual forces. We don’t summon spirits or seek supernatural knowledge through occult practices. Our spiritual life is centered on God through Jesus Christ, prayer and His Word.

So while this is obviously fictional entertainment it’s based in real occult practices and behaviors. Christians should still use discernment about what we choose to put in front of ourselves and what a film asks us to treat as harmless, beautiful, empowering or desirable.

For me, the sheer amount of occult material in this movie crossed that line. There is no redeeming spiritual value here, and I certainly would not encourage Christians to look at any of these practices as something to imitate, explore or romanticize.

As for a recommendation, it’s a no. The acting feels stale, the humor is forced, the plot is convoluted, and the movie abandons much of the warmth and charm that made the original “Practical Magic” enjoyable. Add in the significantly darker occult content, and there just wasn’t enough here for me to recommend it.

Recommendation: Avoid it.

• Occult: Extreme
• Wokeism: Extreme
• Drugs/Alcohol: Very Heavy
• Violence: Heavy
• Vulgar/Crude language: Heavy —including an F-word
• Profane language: Moderately Heavy
• Nudity: Moderately Heavy
• Sex: Moderately Heavy —including couple kissing and spinning into bed with her straddling him (implied sex follows)

Be wise, every follower of Christ should avoid spiritual darkness and seek spiritual light

What is the occult?

The Occult—What does the Bible say about it?

Learn about DISCERNMENT, wisdom in making personal entertainment decisions

Every time you buy a movie ticket or buy or rent a video you are in effect casting a vote telling Hollywood, “I’ll pay for that. That’s what I want.” Read our article

See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.