The Family Stone: The Empty Chair (2026)
Starring: Sarah Jessica Parker, Dermot Mulroney, Claire Danes, Rachel McAdams, and Luke Wilson
Two decades have slipped away since that life-altering Christmas when the Stone family first collided with Meredith Morton. Now, in the long-awaited sequel, The Family Stone: The Empty Chair, the original home is once again filled with the crisp scent of pine needles and the crackling energy of unspoken tensions. However, the roles have shifted significantly. Meredith, portrayed by Sarah Jessica Parker, has transitioned from the outsider to the family matriarch. She now finds herself the one attempting to anchor the chaotic Stone legacy, only to be met with a mirror image of her younger, more rigid self. Her son is returning home for the holidays with a fiancée who is just as corporate and emotionally guarded as Meredith once was, forcing her to confront her own history and the evolution of her character through a startlingly new perspective.
Sarah Jessica Parker delivers a nuanced performance, showcasing a softened and deeply empathetic version of Meredith who has been seasoned by years of belonging. Alongside her, Dermot Mulroney and Claire Danes return to explore the intricate layers of a long-term marriage, navigating the quiet secrets and shared sacrifices that keep a family bound together over decades. The household is noisier than ever, energized by a new generation of Stone cousins who bring their own modern dramas, digital-age conflicts, and infectious energy to the dinner table. Rachel McAdams and Luke Wilson also return, reprising their roles as the family’s rebellious heart. Their presence serves as a poignant reminder that while decades may pass, the competitive, loving, and often friction-filled sibling dynamic remains remarkably unchanged by time.
The film masterfully strikes a balance between bittersweet nostalgia and the sharp, witty dialogue that defined the original. As the family gathers for their traditional meal, the profound absence of Sybil, the original matriarch, is felt in every corner of the room. This “empty chair” serves as the emotional catalyst for the film, prompting a series of raw revelations and a collective rediscovery of what it truly means to belong to a tribe. It is a story that captures the messy, beautiful, and often difficult evolution of family traditions in a world that never stops changing.
Boasting rich, atmospheric winter cinematography and a script filled with profound emotional depth, The Family Stone: The Empty Chair offers a sophisticated and heartfelt return to one of cinema’s most cherished families. The film beautifully illustrates that while the faces at the table may change and seats may eventually go empty, the unbreakable spirit of the Stone family endures. Ultimately, it reminds us that the greatest holiday gift is not found under a tree, but in the raw honesty and unconditional acceptance we share with those who know us best.