30 Years Later, Forgotten Indie Hit That Won Sundance Gets a Surprising Second Chapter

In 1995, the low-budget drama The Brothers McMullen, about three Catholic brothers from Long Island, became a sensation at the Sundance Film Festival, winning the Grand Prize.

Its creator, Edward Burns, who wrote, directed, produced, and starred in the movie, dreamed of a sequel. However, the road to it took nearly three decades and The McMullen Family was released.

What Is 'The Family McMullen' About?

The focus is now on Barry, who is older and living alone. His life becomes hectic again when his grown children, Patty and Tommy, return to the family home.

They are joined by Barry's brother, Patrick, who is trying to recover from a painful divorce. They all find temporary shelter under one roof, where they experience not only family dinners, but also old grievances and new secrets.

Molly, the widow of Barry's older brother Jack, remains a moral compass for everyone but also harbors an important secret concerning the future of the family home.

'The Family McMullen' Was Inspired by Real Life

Burns had struggled with the idea for a sequel for a long time, but it ultimately came from a contemporary social trend.

The director came across statistics showing that adult children were increasingly returning to their parents' homes due to financial difficulties, high housing costs, and economic instability.

This observation became the basis for the plot, making the story relevant and relatable to a new generation. Even the key location, the family home, is Burns' own childhood house.

'The Family McMullen' Isn't Friendly to Those Who Haven't Seen 'The Brothers McMullen'

The Family McMullen is clearly aimed at longtime fans. It begins quickly, without any introductory explanations, and plunges the viewer into the middle of a kitchen conversation.

Burns wastes no time introducing the characters or reminding the audience of their past, relying on their memory.

While this approach creates the feeling of returning to visit old friends, it can be a barrier to new audiences who risk getting lost in the web of family connections.

Like Its Predecessor, 'The Family McMullen' Is a Subtle and Touching Family Drama

Despite the change in era, The Family McMullen remains true to the spirit of the original in terms of style. Burns maintains a leisurely, conversational rhythm, allowing the story to unfold through honest – sometimes funny and sometimes poignant – dialogue.

This time, however, he gave the younger generation of actors more freedom to improvise, making the dialogue feel contemporary and authentic.

The narrative remains centered on life's imperfections: family trauma, the search for love, mistakes, and forgiveness.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'The Family McMullen'?

Decider critic John Serba wrote:

“Legacy sequels have infected EVERYTHING, even mid-'90s indie darlings that you wouldn't think would ever inspire one. [...] But The Family McMullen is engaging enough to remind us why Burns broke through decades ago.”

• On IMDb, The Family McMullen has a score of 5.9/10.

• On Letterboxd, The Family McMullen scored 3.0/5.0.

Where to Watch 'The Family McMullen'?

The Family McMullen is available to stream on HBO Max and Mubi.