If you’re missing holiday travel or simply craving a cheerful action-comedy to lift your spirits, The Family Plan 2 arrives right on time. The sequel brings back Mark Wahlberg and Michelle Monaghan as the Morgan family heads to Europe for what should have been a relaxing vacation. Of course, fans of the first film already know that peace and quiet are impossible for former assassin Dan Morgan—no matter how hard he tries to live a normal suburban-dad life.
Unlike the first movie, where Dan’s family was completely unaware of his secret past, The Family Plan 2 begins with Jessica and the kids fully in on the truth. Instead of being horrified, they’re oddly delighted by Dan’s lethal skill set. Jessica even finds his abilities attractive, especially when he scales the side of a hotel building just to join her for date night. The film never explains why he doesn’t take the elevator, but logic isn’t the goal here—fun is.
Europe, Family Bonding, and a Past That Won’t Stay Buried
The Morgan family’s European trip begins with a mix of excitement and tension. Their daughter Nina has moved to London to attend university and announces she’ll be staying there for the holidays. This prompts the family to turn the visit into a Christmas vacation, complete with sightseeing and festive cityscapes.
Dan, who now runs his own security firm, also uses the trip as an opportunity to meet a potential client. Finn, played by Kit Harington, works at a bank and wants Dan to evaluate their security system. But Finn isn’t who he pretends to be. He has a secret connection to Dan’s former life—one the studio has asked reviewers not to spoil. This mystery drives most of the emotional weight of the story, and the secrecy makes it tricky to discuss without revealing major twists. What can be said is that Finn’s relationship with Dan adds personal stakes to the action and deepens the conflict.
A Sequel That Knows Exactly What It Wants to Be
Like the first film, The Family Plan 2 doesn’t pretend to be anything other than an easygoing, family-friendly action-comedy. These movies have become common on streaming platforms, especially for big stars whose traditional box-office draw isn’t what it once was. But this sequel manages to be more entertaining than its predecessor—for reasons that go beyond its larger budget.
The European setting elevates the spectacle, giving the action scenes energy and color. Instead of relying on generic city backdrops, the film embraces the charm of iconic locations. And this time, Jessica and the kids are part of the action instead of being clueless bystanders. Watching the entire family team up and support Dan adds warmth and humor to the chaos.
Jessica turns out to be an action powerhouse herself. She leaps across rooftops, handles hand-to-hand combat with athletic precision, and even holds her own in a sword fight. Monaghan brings charisma, confidence, and comedic timing, making her sequences some of the most enjoyable in the film.
New Faces, New Humor, and Big Holiday Energy
Nina’s new boyfriend Omar (Reda Elazouar) joins the mix as well. His muscular, shirtless introduction instantly triggers Wahlberg’s “protective dad mode,” giving the film one of its funniest parent-teen interaction moments. Wahlberg’s comedic skills shine here, proving he can balance absurd action with classic dad humor.
The production team also takes full advantage of real-world locations. Iconic landmarks such as the Thames, Sacré-Cœur, and the rooftops of Paris become playgrounds for elaborate chase scenes. One standout sequence involves Wahlberg and Harington brawling on the upper deck of a moving double-decker bus crossing the Thames. Another comedy-heavy car chase sends a vehicle bouncing down the famous steps of Montmartre near Sacré-Cœur—an area that action fans may remember from John Wick 4. And Paris, with its scenic rooftops, serves as the perfect setting for fast-paced parkour stunts.
With London fully decorated for Christmas, the film often feels like a glossy holiday travel commercial. The lively atmosphere adds charm and makes the movie more visually appealing than the first installment.
Silly? Yes. Predictable? Sure. But It Works.
The sequel knows it’s ridiculous—and embraces it. Director Simon Cellan Jones keeps the pace brisk, making it easy to overlook the story’s implausibility. Even when the jokes lean too heavily into dad humor or familiar one-liners, the film maintains a warm, family-oriented tone that keeps viewers engaged.
One of the screenplay’s goofier lines comes during a fight sequence when the villain asks Dan, “Is it true you spent 20 years selling used cars?” Dan angrily corrects him with, “Certified pre-owned!” It’s cheesy, but it fits the movie’s playful style.
Cast Performances: Easy Chemistry and Lighthearted Charm
Mark Wahlberg continues to refine his blend of action hero confidence and laid-back comedic charm. He delivers the kind of performance that’s not groundbreaking but is undeniably enjoyable. Michelle Monaghan, meanwhile, steals several scenes with her fierce yet affectionate portrayal of Jessica. Her delivery of lines like, “I’m going in there to finish this and save your dad!” perfectly captures the film’s spirit.
The younger cast members, including Zoe Colletti, Van Crosby, and the adorable twin actors Peter and Theo Lindsey, bring energy and humor to the family dynamic. Their genuine chemistry helps elevate the emotional beats, even when the plot stays light and predictable.
Final Verdict: A Sequel That Surpasses Expectations
While The Family Plan 2 isn’t reinventing the action-comedy genre, it succeeds at being exactly what it promises—a fun, fast, silly, family-forward adventure. In many ways, it feels more enjoyable than the first movie. Whether that’s because the film is genuinely stronger or simply because audiences have grown fond of these characters is up for debate.
What’s certain is that the movie offers an escape into a world where families genuinely like each other, problems can be solved with teamwork and jokes, and holiday vacations can turn into wild action showdowns.
If you want a cozy, light-hearted film to kick off the holiday season, The Family Plan 2 delivers precisely that.