A Sequel Fueled by Hijinks Instead of High Stakes

MOVIE REVIEW
The Family Plan 2
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Genre: Action, Comedy, Family
Year Released: 2025
Runtime: 1h 46m
Director(s): Simon Cellan Jones
Writer(s): David Coggeshall
Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Michelle Monaghan, Kit Harington, Zoe Colletti, Van Crosby, Reda Elazouar
Where to Watch: available streaming on Apple TV on November 21, 2025

RAVING REVIEW: THE FAMILY PLAN 2 offers viewers a clear sense of what it is and exactly who it’s made for. From the opening scenes, it’s obvious that this sequel isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel or evolve beyond its established tone. Instead, it leans into a blend of holiday spirit, international adventure, and family-driven chaos. It gives its returning cast room to stretch into a bigger-scale playground without losing the grounded dynamic that made the first film likable enough to warrant a sequel.

Mark Wahlberg’s Dan Morgan remains the anchor, a former assassin whose greatest challenge isn’t the enemies chasing him but the everyday pandemonium of parenthood. Wahlberg has a natural ease in roles like this; he knows how to balance exasperation with sincerity, which helps keep the story afloat even when the plot occasionally stretches. Michelle Monaghan once again proves she’s the emotional center of the family unit, and the two maintain a believable chemistry that adds more warmth than expected to the sequel. The addition of Kit Harington as a ghost from Dan’s past injects the right amount of tension without overwhelming the film’s lighter tone.

The dynamic that works best here is the family itself. Zoe Colletti and Van Crosby bring unpredictability to every scene they’re in, and the script lets the kids be active participants rather than background players. This creates some of the film’s most enjoyable sequences, especially as the Morgan family becomes entangled in a series of bank heists, mistaken identities, and improvised escapes across Europe. It isn’t about spectacle — it’s about watching a family of “everyday” people stumble through situations meant for action professionals.

The holiday setting is a fun backdrop. Choosing London and other locations adds a sense of whimsy and charm, and the film uses that combination for several comedic payoffs. The story launches into its main threat fairly quickly once Harington’s character arrives, but the film never pretends it’s aiming for high drama. It maintains an accessible tone, blending physical comedy, mishaps, and a light-action energy that comfortably fits within a PG-13 framework. It’s the type of sequel that wants viewers to relax rather than brace for anything unexpected.

THE FAMILY PLAN 2 succeeds on its own terms but doesn’t push beyond them. The action sequences are fun. The emotion lands well enough, though they aren’t explored with the depth that could have elevated the story. The plot occasionally feels like a string of set pieces loosely tied together by the family’s ongoing travel plan. While that structure works for a film focused on mischief, it also highlights where the writing could have dug a little deeper.

One of the more interesting aspects of the sequel is how it handles Dan’s past. While the first film used it as a source of tension, this entry treats it more as a catalyst for upheaval. That shift keeps the tone lighter but also removes some of the dramatic weight that could have sharpened the stakes. Harington does well with the material he’s given, but his character feels more like a fun obstacle than a fully formed threat. The result is a villain whose presence works because of the actor, not because of the narrative design.

Where the film consistently wins is in its commitment to being accessible comfort entertainment. Director Simon Cellan Jones brings a steady hand to the pacing, ensuring the story never slows down enough to lose momentum. The chemistry among the cast keeps the energy alive, and the European setting adds charm even when the script is simply connecting the dots between moments. The humor isn’t groundbreaking, but it’s reliable, leaning into family-friendly banter and light sarcasm rather than anything sharper or more subversive.

A notable strength is how the film frames the family as a unit. Instead of sidelining the supporting cast, the story gives everyone something to do, making the Morgan family feel like more than a vehicle for Wahlberg’s character. This not only makes the action scenes more engaging but also helps justify the sequel’s existence. There’s enough chemistry here to carry multiple films, and the sequel understands how to use that chemistry effectively.

The joy here is in watching a cast fully commit to a lighthearted fun. Wahlberg’s comedic timing, Monaghan’s grounded presence, Colletti’s spark, and Harington’s charm all blend into something satisfying even when it isn’t ambitious. This is a film designed for holiday-season relaxation: a comforting blend of action, comedy, and family anarchy set against scenic backdrops and the warmth of winter cheer.

Better than average, boosted by its cast and thoroughly enjoyable for audiences looking for something fun and easygoing. THE FAMILY PLAN 2 doesn’t pretend to be more than it is. It delivers amusement, family conflict, a few well-staged chases, and enough holiday spirit to make the whole package feel like a warm seasonal distraction. And sometimes, that’s exactly what a sequel needs to be.

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