The Morgans can’t escape their pesky assassin heritage as a new villain emerges to ruin a picturesque Christmas vacation abroad in The Family Plan 2, a serviceable (at best) sequel that continues the action-comedy adventures of a likable-enough ensemble. The plot has holes you could drive a truck through and there’s never a second when you believe the protagonists are in actual danger, but there’s a breezy, fun quality that keeps your attention. The film has just enough laughs, a sprinkle of surprises and slick parkour chase scenes to warrant casual viewing.
The story picks up two years after the events of The Family Plan, in Buffalo, New York, with Dan (Mark Wahlberg) and Jessica (Michelle Monaghan) having a frisky date night. The romance comes to an abrupt end when a now 18-year-old Kyle (Van Crosby) has trouble babysitting his younger brother Max (played by twins Peter and Theodore Lindsey). The doting parents dutifully return home, with Jessica failing to update Dan on a major possible career move. The next day, everyone piles into the minivan for Thanksgiving at Jessica’s parents’ house. They tell inside jokes about Dan’s secret past while having a video chat with Nina (Zoe Colletti), the eldest child, who’s away studying in London.
Nina’s absence weighs heavily on Dan. It’s not a family Christmas if all the Morgans aren’t together. Dan, who’s now running a successful private security company, decides to take a job assessing a bank in London. This way everyone can travel for free and surprise Nina at her apartment. The Morgans are stunned to arrive and find Nina living with her hunky boyfriend Omar (Reda Elazouar). Dan refuses to accept Omar’s presence, but can’t immediately argue his displeasure because of work. He goes to the bank to meet his contact (Kit Harington), but finds a dangerous situation awaits instead. The sins of his criminal father (Ciarán Hinds) have once again come back to haunt him.
Simon Cellan Jones returns as director in his third collaboration with Wahlberg (they previously made Arthur the King). The pair have hit cruise control with an almost sitcom-style dynamic that’s evident in every scene. The characters play off each other with chirpy dialogue that never indicates any real stress or tension. Dan frowns at Omar hooking up with Nina, but it’s obvious that he’ll be won over and become Omar’s biggest fan. The same thought process applies to the Morgans as they’re forced to run and escape from supposedly ruthless villains. The audience knows that every bullet will miss its mark and the plucky kids won’t be harmed or orphaned. The narrative has teeth that won’t bite; there are no bruises in the beat downs and not a drop of blood spilled, but that’s exactly what Jones and Wahlberg are aiming for.
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The Family Plan 2 preaches wholesome virtues and the value of strong bonds. Dan turned his back on a murderous father to have the domestic life he was denied, and that fateful choice is explored as we learn about his troubled childhood and what was really left behind. An early reveal raises the personal stakes as Dan’s nemesis has a legitimate reason for seeking vengeance. Dan recognizes this truth, but won’t risk his treasured wife and children under any circumstances. But they’ve also become players in the game and won’t be sidelined when Dan is threatened. The Morgans are formidable together and prove they can handle all comers under duress. Despite a go-team approach that’s admittedly hokey in its delivery, this is the most positive aspect of the sequel.
There’s a lack of believability in the early exposition, with the plot improbably connecting multiple dots. For example, the Morgans head to London to see Nina during the holidays, and the bank job enables the trip at just the right time. How did the mastermind luring Dan into a trap know that he would take the bait? The answer is: they don’t. It was pure chance and convenience that the family decided to visit Nina, and then collectively fall into nefarious clutches. This sort of plot contrivance makes no sense whatsoever and happens repeatedly. The Family Plan 2 doesn’t hold up to logical scrutiny, but you forgive the sizable flaws because the characters are endearing and funny, and the cast’s chemistry goes a long way in overcoming significant plot issues.
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The action scenes have the requisite fist fights and gunplay, but the addition of Omar as a parkour badass adds a fresh new element as he and Dan scurry across rooftops like monkeys during a swift climax. Jones hints at Omar’s abilities and then unleashes them with sharp camerawork, resulting in a pretty cool sequence that infuses a much-needed shot of adrenaline. The Family Plan 2 ends on an upbeat high note that’s enjoyable, but definitely not enough to warrant a third film.
The Family Plan 2 premieres November 21, exclusively on Apple TV+.
Release Date
November 21, 2025
Runtime
106 Minutes
Director
Simon Cellan Jones
Writers
David Coggeshall
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