I’ve lived through enough reboots, sequels, and prequels that the mere announcement of one honestly isn’t enough to get me too excited. But even as a skeptic, when the entire internet is freaking out about something, I have to admit my interest is piqued. So, when Practical Magic 2 finally hit theaters after months of anticipation from fans, the fanfare was enough to make me finally watch the original after years of it slipping through my watchlist.
Here were my thoughts after finally tackling Practical Magic as an adult. I have to admit, I was nervous that without the haze of millennial nostalgia softening my view and years of hyping up the watch, my expectations would outweigh the actual film, but luckily the watch held up. Here are my thoughts after watching Practical Magic.
Today’s movies are so worried about feeling current that they don’t feel lasting
My number one problem with all the reboots and sequels we see today, other than a craving for original stories, is that they always seem to erase the original charm of the film in the name of modernizing. We watch beloved characters reference Instagram and TikTok and use Gen Z slang that’s already dated by the time the movie premieres. The reason Practical Magic’s charm and whimsy translate so seamlessly decades after its release is that it isn’t overly focused on timely references. Of course, the feel is inevitably very ’90s, from the color grading to the outfits, but the themes themselves are timelessly relatable.
The sisterhood is the strongest part of the film
Honestly, going into the film, I expected it to be a full-on rom-com, and while there are definitely romantic moments, the true heart of this film is sisterhood. From Sally and Gilly’s bond to the final scene of all the women in the town working together to banish evil, any sort of romantic relationship is secondary to the importance of female friendship and support.
While those townspeople may have done a complete 180 on their views of Sally and Gillian in about 30 seconds, I couldn’t help but smile at how sweet it was to see all of the women working together to banish evil. Female friendships were portrayed so beautifully on screen. I mean, what is witchcraft if not the simple power of what women can accomplish when they work together?
The Practical Magic home rivals those of Nancy Meyers
I know Nancy Meyers takes the cake for the gorgeous home interior aesthetic she’s curated throughout her filmography, but honestly, the Practical Magic house is giving the Something’s Gotta Give one a run for its money. The coziness of the Owens sisters’ home is part of the reason I couldn’t look away from the screen. Gorgeous views, greenhouses, and perfectly eclectic decor: The setting could not be more perfect for a witchy watch that somehow resonates years later.
It balances serious topics with levity so well
Another misconception I had about this film before watching is that it would be all sunshine and rainbows. I was surprised that Practical Magic wasn’t afraid to go darker and address more serious topics than I expected. Domestic violence is central to the plot, and I think it handles the topic with care while still providing the needed moments of levity to keep the film from heading into full-on drama territory.
It also was spookier than I thought it would be! Everything I’d seen about Practical Magic talked about the iconic hair of Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock and the fabulous campiness of the film, but it isn’t all coziness and camp. I was definitely watching through my fingers at certain points.
My final takeaways after watching Practical Magic as an adult
Honestly, they just don’t make movies like this anymore. Practical Magic has that hard-to-name quality that makes Nora Ephron and Nancy Meyers’ movies so comforting. It’s chock-full of nostalgia, with messages that still hit deep all these years later. So, if you’ve somehow avoided this cultural icon like me, let this be your sign to add it to your watchlist before seeing Practical Magic 2 in theaters.
Lauren Blue, Editor & Book Club Co-Host
As an Editor for The Everygirl, Lauren ideates and writes content for every facet of our readers’ lives, from must-read books and behind-the-scenes interviews to beauty products she can’t live without. When she isn’t sitting in an AMC watching the latest buzzy release, she can be found scouring Goodreads for the perfect pick for The Everygirl Book Club. There, she co-hosts discussions with members, debating plotlines, fancasting characters, and, of course, tossing in her own recommendations.
