Hocus Pocus 2 (2022)
Director: Anne Fletcher
Screenwriter: Jen D’Angelo
Starring: Whitney Peak, Belissa Escobedo, Lilia Buckingham, Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy
Hocus Pocus 2 returns to screens as a nostalgia-driven, female-forward continuation of the original cult classic. After nearly three decades, the film brings back the Sanderson Sisters—played once again by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy—while introducing a new generation of leads. Although the sequel does not quite reach the iconic heights of the 1993 film, it contains many enjoyable moments, strong performances, and enough witchy charm to satisfy fans seeking a fresh seasonal romp.
The plot centers on Becca (Whitney Peak), a teenager celebrating a Halloween birthday, who unintentionally lights the black flame candle that resurrects the Sanderson Sisters. Alongside her friend Izzy (Belissa Escobedo) and other peers, Becca must confront the witches’ appetite for youth and chaos. The sequel shifts focus from pure parody toward a more emotionally grounded story about belonging, female friendship, and reclaiming outsider identity.
Whitney Peak is a notable asset to the film. Her portrayal of Becca blends dry humor with vulnerability, creating a more layered protagonist than the sequel might otherwise have offered. The new characters are framed as modern outcasts—teased and misunderstood by their peers—and the narrative uses magic as a metaphor for difference. Where the original film traded heavily on broad comic beats, this installment tries to balance that tone with warmth and a message about accepting oneself and others.
The Sanderson Sisters remain the heart of the movie. Bette Midler delivers full-throttle performance energy with grander musical moments; the sequel features two standout musical numbers that let the trio’s camp and charisma shine. Sarah Jessica Parker brings a sleeker comic sensibility, and Kathy Najimy is given more opportunity to display physical comedy and timing. When the sisters are allowed to dominate a scene, the film hums with life and nostalgia, recalling what made the original so enduring.
However, the film is not without its flaws. One prominent issue is the awkward product placement that interrupts the narrative flow. A lengthy sequence set in a familiar retail pharmacy lingers longer than it should, and repeated references to that location feel forced. This overt brand presence distracts from the story at key moments and undercuts the film’s atmosphere.
Another problem is the movie’s reliance on contemporary tech gags. Several set pieces revolve around smartphones, social media, and other modern conveniences, with jokes that often land as tired or predictable. The film tries to bridge the gap between 17th-century witches and 21st-century life, but some of the fish-out-of-water humor grows thin. Fans hoping for the edgier, slightly bawdier humor of the original might find this sequel cleaner and more sanitized—clearly aimed at a younger demographic while still trying to appease long-time enthusiasts now in their twenties and thirties.
Despite these missteps, the sequel gets many things right. It leans into nostalgia in a way that feels affectionate rather than exploitative, and it casts talented actors who bring energy and comic skill to their roles. Tony Hale provides memorable support as the town’s mayor, and Doug Jones returns as Billy Butcherson with a more developed backstory that adds emotional weight. The film’s pacing occasionally falters, but when it focuses on character moments and the sisters’ theatrical presence, it succeeds.
From a thematic standpoint, Hocus Pocus 2 is more explicitly feminist than its predecessor. The opening sequence reframes the Sanderson Sisters’ origins with an emphasis on autonomy and resistance to prescribed roles, which adds layers to their villainy and sympathy alike. While the sisters’ methods remain dark—driven by the same desperate hunger for youth—the film shows compassion for their plight and explores how women who defy expectations are often demonized by society.
Ultimately, Hocus Pocus 2 is a mixed but entertaining ride. It won’t eclipse the original for many viewers, yet it offers enough camp, music, and heart to make it a worthwhile seasonal watch. The film succeeds best when it leans into the Sandersons’ theatricality and the chemistry among its cast. For those who love witchy humor, catchy musical numbers, and a nostalgic trip back to a familiar Salem, this sequel provides a spirited—if uneven—delivery.
Score: 15/24
Written by Emi Grant
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