Witches brewing up second potion

It’s been 28 years since the witchy brew of magical Owens women, midnight margaritas and tragic love stories first graced our screens.

Almost three decades later, the Owens witches return in ‘Practical Magic 2’ (2026).

Starring Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman, Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest reprising their roles from the 1998 original, the sequel introduces Joey King and Maisie Williams as the youngest generation of Owens witches.

Except they don’t know they come from a long line of magical beings.

After the curse that dooms an Owen’s woman’s true love to die does its inevitable thing, Sally (Bullock) attempts to shield her children by erasing their memory of magic.

For her part, she swears off magic as well.

The decision creates some tension between the middle-aged Owens sisters. But, like the man buried near the rose bush, the truth eventually comes to light and sends King’s Kylie Owens on a desperate mission to break the curse.

This is after a raven leads Aunt Jet (Wiest) to a magical book and the deathwatch beetle starts chirping.

Though it’s great to be back in the cozy Owens family home, much of ‘Practical Magic 2’ takes place in the United Kingdom (UK).

The UK is where the curse was first cast, and it is also home to a good-looking professor of magic, played by Lee Pace, who helps the Owens women on their mission.

Directed by Susanne Bier based on the 2021 novel ‘The Book of Magic’ by Alice Hoffman, ‘Practical Magic 2’ is a nostalgic night out that revives the sisterly chemistry between Kidman and Bullock to present the end of a story that has beguiled audiences for almost 30 years.

While sequels rarely improve on the originals, some are simply satisfying.

Novel enough with the casting of an underutilised Williams as well as King who plays a central role, ‘Practical Magic 2’ is notable in its focus on older women.

The ageing aunts and middle-aged sisters who are still so full of life, fun, autonomy and desire are a sight for sore eyes in a world obsessed with youth.

This is despite some criticism of how heavily the older women seem to be airbrushed. Alas, the pressure of societal beauty standards is a b*tch.

Still, ‘Practical Magic’ is what it has always been.

A bittersweet ode to sisterhood, womanhood, family, legacy and true love, though this part of the Owens’ story also explores mortality, self-acceptance, sacrifice and the passing of the torch.

For avid fans returning to this world, tissues may be in order.

Tissues, then margaritas.

– martha@namibian.com.na; Martha Mukaiwa on Instagram; marthamukaiwa.com

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