Film Review: THE FAMILY MCMULLEN (2025): Edward Burns Delights with an Enjoyable Sequel to a 1995 New York-Themed Charmer

The Family McMullen Review

The Family McMullen (2025) Film Review, a movie written and directed by Edward Burns, starring Edward Burns, Michael McGlone, Connie Britton, Halston Sage, Tracee Ellis Ross, Shari Albert, Juliana Canfield, Pico Alexander, Brian d’Arcy James, Christina Catechis, Bryan Fitzgerald, Stephen Badalamenti, John El-Jor and Neil Schleifer.

The Family McMullen is a delightful sequel to 1995’s The Brothers McMullen, but it could stand alone as a heartwarming movie for just about any audience since much of the picture is set around the holidays. Filmmaker Edward Burns captures the spirit of the original right from the opening credits to the concluding ones, using Seamus Egan’s score as a driving force of the movie. What makes Burns’s sequel so charming is its easy-going characters and relatable story line and much like the successful first entry, The Family McMullen will keep viewers laughing most of the time with a lot of heart present in the story line that the movie so proudly wears on its sleeve. The laughs will keep the audience invested in the material throughout.

Barry (Edward Burns) is a homeowner and a dad whose two 20-something kids (played by Halston Sage and Pico Alexander) end up living back under Barry’s roof after a brief foray into the “real” world. Pat (Sage), Barry’s daughter, has just gotten into trouble after agreeing to marry a jerk named Terrence Joseph (Bryan Fitzgerald) and realizing he’s not so interested in definitively being faithful to her after meeting her family. Barry’s brother, the two kids’ Uncle Pat (Michael McGlone), has hit a rocky patch in his relationship as well and has arrived to live under Barry’s roof temporarily too.

When Tommy (Alexander), Barry’s son, hangs out in a bar in Brooklyn, he meets a pessimistic young woman (the super Juliana Canfield). Tommy uses charm to win this young lady over and soon, they’re dating, and wouldn’t you know it…Barry used to date her mom (played by the always reliable Tracee Ellis Ross). Meanwhile, Barry’s daughter starts to date a plumber while keeping her options open even though she still may feel a connection to the despicable Terrence Joseph.

As a companion piece to The Brothers McMullen, this film plays almost equally as well even though this time out, Burns got a little too cute for his own good. Luckily, the movie charms so much with Sage’s character eventually running after the guy of her dreams in a pair of slippers on the streets of Brooklyn near the end. Shari Albert (of the first film) replays her role as Susan who runs into her ex, McGlone’s character, at a therapist’s office. This might be a little too convenient for the sake of the plot, but it works. Albert was fun in the first movie and her token appearance charms.

Also featured is Connie Britton as Barry’s sister-in-law, Molly, who begins to date a real estate agent (Brian d’Arcy James). Molly’s husband has passed away and in her new romance with this old friend, she finds a reason to believe in the potential of finding love all over again.

There are many funny one-liners, and the cast is all first-rate. The true standout here is Juliana Canfield who makes us believe her character is scared of love and would take a risk on Tommy who wins her over with his tremendous Brooklyn charm. Canfield has the ability to light up the screen and has enough chemistry with Alexander to help totally put a smile on the viewer’s face.

The Brothers McMullen was a groundbreaking film in 1995. It dealt with Irish-Catholic guilt, infidelity and finding true love in a believable and smart fashion. There are plenty of humorous moments in the new picture. Burns, as an actor, especially has a blast on-screen in the scenes between him and Tracee Ellis Ross who are two veterans who know how to have fun. Their scenes are so enjoyable to watch. Two old pros this smart can’t go wrong together.

Michael McGlone stole scenes the first time out in the original picture and keeps the seriousness of his character intact in the new film. He still holds his Catholicism close and quotes bible passages, but Uncle Pat has a kind heart which helps him save face with his family. As his niece, Halston Sage really gets to shine as her character starts to seriously think about dating the plumber who was the first guy her character ever kissed back in the day. Sage is also a highpoint of the movie thanks to her charisma although Canfield outshines her by a notch or two thanks to her former expertise as an actress. It’s also great to see Connie Britton again enjoying her characterization and offering fine support here.

The Family McMullen is intelligent in terms of its style and dialogue. Burns knows how parents pass the torch to their kids and root in their corner all the way through the hard times. That caring and earnestness Burns possesses makes the film so charming to watch. McGlone gets the uncle role spot on the money too. What really works about The Family McMullen is the magic Burns brings to the table by simply keeping it real. Barry’s humor cuts to the truth and rarely sugarcoats things except when they need to be sugarcoated. The Family McMullen is ultimately a gem that will find new fans for a series that may end with this one, and if it does, Burns has gone out with a bang.

Rating: 8/10

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