Spoiler Warning: Hocus Pocus 2
Hocus Pocus has long been revered as a classic Halloween movie for kids and nostalgic millennials. Released in 1993, it has become a staple film for the spooky season and has endearingly stood the test of time. The movie has even earned itself a sequel almost three decades later. On September 30, 2022, Hocus Pocus 2 was released on Disney Plus, just in time for the Halloween season. The sequel sees the return of Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy as the famous Sanderson sisters. With the original stars back 29 years later to reprise their roles, it is no wonder the second film received so much hype.
Before we take a deep dive into the film, let's do a quick synopsis of the storyline for Hocus Pocus 2. The film is set 30 years into the future since the last appearance of the Sanderson sisters. The city of Salem, Massachusetts, has once again chalked up the Sanderson sisters as a Halloween legend, although some still believe in the witches and magic. In fact, Gilbert, the magic shop owner, actually witnessed the return of the coven in 1993 and sought to bring them back, believing them to have been simply misunderstood. He creates another cursed candle and gives it to our new protagonist, Becca, and her friend Izzy.
The two unknowingly bring back the sisters, and as they work to stop the sisters from wreaking havoc once again, Becca discovers her own magical powers. Along the journey, Becca and Izzy reunite with an estranged friend, Cassie and the girls form their own coven to defeat the Sanderson sisters.
The Sanderson Lore Is Expanded
In our modern day, the horror genre is reserved for mature audiences. But of course, we can't forget that Halloween is for the kids and the family-friendly spookiness that films like Hocus Pocus bring are perfect for a family movie night during October (or whenever you're in the mood for a bit of magic!). Bringing laughs, music, silliness, and magic, Hocus Pocus 2 is a great addition to the Halloween movie collection, for the kids, of course, but also for the nostalgic adults. It's a win-win for everyone!
Hocus Pocus 2 also serves as both a prequel and a sequel as it also dives into the origins of the Sanderson sisters and how they become a coven. One concern with reviving classics such as this is it falls short of the original and is a modernized copy of it, not bringing something of value to the overall story and fictional world itself. Simply put, it would not have been enough to bring the Sanderson sisters back 30 years later unless something of value was brought to the story that sheds light on something the audience didn't know before.
Luckily, Hocus Pocus 2 successfully brought back the beloved witches and expanded on their origins, thus giving it that much-needed value of something new and interesting. The film also managed to bring the story full circle by the end in an entirely surprising and heartfelt way. By the end, we say goodbye to our favorite witches as they disappear forever, but this makes way for the new coven of Salem. It is an homage to the past, to what once was, and a hello to the new future of witches.
The Sequel's Diversity and Magic
With any revival of a classic, it must be adapted to fit a modern audience so that it is well received and viewed. Hocus Pocus 2, first and foremost, achieves a more diverse cast than the original, making it more appealing to a modern audience that celebrates more diversity and representation in films.
Featuring Whitney Peak as Becca, our main protagonist, and Belissa Escobedo as Izzy, Becca's best friend, it is a refreshing and welcome change of pace to have representation for little girls watching the movie. Additionally, Hocus Pocus 2 welcomed Sam Richardson as Gilbert, the owner of the magic shop who created the second cursed candle to bring back the Sanderson sisters.
Hocus Pocus 2 also introduced the concept of good magic, or rather the neutrality of magic with it being good or bad based on the intent of the witch. Not only do Becca, Izzy, and Cassie defeat the Sanderson sisters and vanquish the evil witches, they become witches themselves, albeit good ones. Their intentions are not to feast on the souls of children, but rather they seek to protect one another and, in the end, show mercy to Winifred and help her get back to her sisters after she became blind with power. This is an entirely modern concept of magic, as before, it was perceived as something evil or of the devil. Our modern take on magic removes this stigma, views it as a neutral force, and instead places the label of good or bad on the user and their intentions.
The movie's ultimate message is friendship, kindness, and being a force for good in the world, all through the means of humor and the silly entertainment of the beloved Sanderson sisters. These are, of course, some of the best messages for children and adults alike, making Hocus Pocus 2 not only live up to the classic film but a prime example of a brilliant sequel.