The Exorcism of Jimmy Angelov
The climax of Practical Magic begins when the malevolent, abusive spirit of Jimmy Angelov (Goran Višnjić) possesses Gillian (Nicole Kidman), threatening to consume her life force completely.
Realizing that traditional defensive spells are inadequate, Sally (Sandra Bullock) calls upon the phone tree of the island’s townswomen—the very women who had spent decades shunning, mocking, and fearing the Owens family. Armed with household brooms, measuring cups, and kitchen salt, the women gather inside the Owens Victorian kitchen.
The Power of the Coven Circle
When the townswomen join hands, they tap into their latent feminine power. Sally makes a shallow incision on her hand, joined by Gillian, uniting their bloodline. By declaring unconditional love for her sister, Sally banishes Jimmy’s spirit into the earth forever.
Was Maria Owens’ 1620 Curse Truly Broken?
The Owens family curse originated in 1620 when Maria Owens survived being hanged at Magnolia Island. In her grief over her lover abandoning her, she cast a spell declaring that any man who loved an Owens woman would perish.
In the 1998 ending, Sally realizes that the curse was not an external divine mandate, but a self-inflicted wound born of grief, fear, and emotional insulation. When Sally allows herself to fall in love with Investigator Gary Hallet (Aidan Quinn)—trusting love rather than fearing death—the curse dissolves.
“The curse could only survive as long as the Owens women believed love was a death sentence. By embracing vulnerability, the chain was severed.”
The Rooftop Leap: Community Acceptance
The final scene of Practical Magic is one of the most celebrated moments in supernatural cinema. On Halloween night, Sally, Gillian, Aunt Frances, Aunt Jet, and Sally's young daughters Kylie and Antonia climb onto the gabled roof of their Victorian home dressed in dramatic, voluminous black witch gowns and tall pointed hats.
Holding umbrellas, they leap gracefully into the air, floating down to the cheers and laughter of the entire island community gathered below.
- Reclaiming the Archetype: Rather than running from the label of "witches", the Owens women playfully embrace the theatrical stereotype.
- End of Generational Alienation: The islanders no longer whisper in fear; they celebrate the Owens family as the heart and soul of their town.
How This Sets Up Practical Magic 2
In Alice Hoffman’s direct sequel The Book of Magic, we discover that ancient magical lineages are deeply complex. While Sally and Gary lived happily, Sally's daughters—now grown—face new trials:
A New Generational Awaking
Kylie and Antonia discover that breaking a personal curse does not erase ancient family grimoires or the responsibilities of wielding hereditary power.
The Global Quest
To protect the youngest Owens from an unexpected tragedy, Sally and Gillian must unearth the deepest ancestral secrets buried in European witch lore.