Practical Magic 2 may be filled with spells, supernatural forces and an ancestral curse, but director Susanne Bier says the sequel is ultimately driven by relationships. In a recent interview, Bier explained that magic was designed to support the emotional journeys of the Owens family rather than become the central focus of the story.
The filmmaker has returned audiences to the world of Sally and Gillian Owens, played by Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman. The sequel continues the family’s magical legacy while placing sisterhood, motherhood, family and love at the heart of its narrative.
Susanne Bier Says Magic Exists To Serve The Story
Bier explained that supernatural elements were never meant to function independently from the characters. Instead, the magic was created to challenge and deepen the relationships at the centre of the film. According to the director, magic can test the characters, question their choices and strengthen their bonds.
She described it as a tool that can also become a potential antagonist, allowing the supernatural side of the story to directly affect the emotional conflicts. This approach helped Bier find the balance between fantasy and character-driven storytelling without allowing the magical elements to overshadow the people experiencing them.
Sandra Bullock's Sally Brings Comedy Into The Mix
The emotional focus also shapes the comedy surrounding Sally. Bier said Sally’s humorous moments often come from her determination to remain in control, only to find herself in situations where control becomes increasingly difficult.
Bier particularly enjoyed watching Bullock return to the character. She praised the actress’s physical comedy and explained that Bullock could sometimes communicate Sally’s reactions through her body before the character herself appeared to process what was happening. The director admitted that she often had to hide on set to avoid laughing during takes because Bullock’s performance was so funny.
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Nicole Kidman's Gillian Has A Different Energy
Nicole Kidman’s Gillian, meanwhile, approaches magic very differently from her sister. Bier described Gillian as a free spirit who has embraced her magical nature rather than fighting against it. The director also highlighted Kidman’s comedic side, saying Gillian combines confidence and a certain naivety.
That contrast creates a different source of humour compared with Sally’s more controlled personality. The relationship between the sisters therefore remains central to how the fantasy works, with their contrasting personalities helping shape both the emotional and comedic sides of the sequel.
Practical Magic 2 Continues The Owens Family Story
Practical Magic 2 reunites Bullock and Kidman as Sally and Gillian nearly three decades after the original 1998 film. Susanne Bier directs the sequel from a screenplay by Akiva Goldsman, Georgia Pritchett and Kelly Marcel, based on Alice Hoffman’s The Book Of Magic.
The cast also includes Joey King, Maisie Williams, Lee Pace, Xolo Maridueña, Solly McLeod, Dianne Wiest and Stockard Channing. The film has been released internationally in September 2026, with Warner Bros. handling its theatrical distribution. Bier’s comments offer a clearer picture of why the sequel’s magic remains closely connected to the Owens family and their relationships.
Final Take
Susanne Bier’s approach to Practical Magic 2 places relationships ahead of spectacle, using magic to challenge and reveal the emotional bonds between its characters. With Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman bringing back their beloved sisters, the sequel continues the Owens story through family, humour and supernatural conflict.
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