My Girl 3: The Circle of Life (2026) Review

In a world where the passage of time seems to slip through our fingers, My Girl 3: The Circle of Life stands as a poignant reminder of the beauty, grief, and transformative power of life’s inevitable changes. The film, starring Anna Chlumsky, Dan Aykroyd, Jamie Lee Curtis, and McKenna Grace, serves as an emotional return to the Sultenfuss family, bringing back cherished memories and introducing a new generation to the profound themes of death, loss, and healing.

The story begins with Vada Sultenfuss, now an adult and a mother, returning to her father’s funeral home in Pennsylvania. Her life has changed significantly since the events of the first two My Girl films, and she now faces a different kind of sorrow. Harry (Dan Aykroyd), her father, has decided to retire and sell the funeral business that has been at the heart of their family for so long. Vada, ever the reluctant heir, has returned not only to care for her father but also to confront her own unresolved feelings about the past.

In the years since the first film, Vada has grown into a strong, resilient woman, but the weight of her history still lingers. Her deep-seated grief over the death of her childhood friend, Thomas J., has shaped much of her adult life, leaving her with a sense of emotional distance and a lingering fear of losing those she loves. Vada’s return to the funeral home, however, forces her to confront her past in ways she never expected.

As Vada grapples with her own feelings of loss and the looming closure of the funeral home, her daughter Leo (McKenna Grace) becomes a central figure in the narrative. Like Vada at her age, Leo is intensely curious about life and death, asking questions that Vada finds difficult to answer. It is through Leo’s innocent inquiries and her own youthful exploration of grief that Vada begins to realize how much of her own sorrow she has passed down to the next generation. Leo’s fascination with the concept of death mirrors Vada’s childhood journey, a connection that not only strengthens their bond but also forces Vada to reckon with the unresolved grief she has carried for decades.

The discovery of old poems written by Vada for Thomas J. provides a key turning point in the story. These poems, which Vada had long kept hidden, offer a raw, honest look at the depths of her grief and the process of healing that has taken place over the years. As Leo reads these poems, she uncovers more than just the story of Vada’s lost childhood friendship—she uncovers the emotional core of her mother’s life, the unhealed wounds that still shape her.

As Vada watches her daughter navigate her own questions about death and loss, she is faced with the difficult realization that she has never truly dealt with the grief of losing Thomas J. All these years, Vada has been living with the echo of that pain, unable to fully let go. The film beautifully explores this generational cycle of grief, showing how the past can influence the present and how, in order to move forward, we must confront the shadows of our history.

The heart of My Girl 3 lies in the Sultenfuss family’s emotional journey toward healing. Vada’s return to the funeral home is not just about closing a chapter in the family business—it is about closing a chapter in her own heart. With the help of her father, Harry, and her daughter, Leo, Vada begins to understand that moving forward does not mean forgetting the past. Instead, it is about honoring those we’ve lost while embracing the life that is still before us. The film paints a tender portrait of a family navigating the complex terrain of love, loss, and the passage of time, reminding us that healing is a lifelong process.

The performances in My Girl 3 are deeply moving, with Anna Chlumsky delivering a nuanced portrayal of Vada. Her return to this beloved character is both a tribute to the legacy of the original films and a new exploration of Vada’s emotional depth. Chlumsky’s portrayal of Vada’s struggle to reconcile her past with her present is both heartbreaking and uplifting, capturing the bittersweet nature of the film’s themes. McKenna Grace shines as Leo, bringing an innocence and curiosity to the role that serves as a mirror for Vada’s younger self. Her questions about life and death serve as a catalyst for Vada’s own healing, and Grace brings a warmth and vulnerability to the character that makes her a standout.

Dan Aykroyd’s portrayal of Harry is as heartfelt as ever, and his presence provides a comforting sense of stability in the midst of the family’s emotional upheaval. Jamie Lee Curtis, though in a smaller role, offers a sense of wisdom and compassion as a friend and confidante to Vada. Together, these actors create a deeply emotional and connected family dynamic that anchors the film’s exploration of grief and healing.

The film’s cinematography is equally impressive, capturing the quiet beauty of small-town Pennsylvania. The funeral home, with its intimate, old-world charm, serves as a fitting backdrop for the film’s emotional journey. The muted colors and soft lighting reflect the somber yet hopeful tone of the story, creating a visual language that complements the film’s themes of loss, memory, and renewal.

My Girl 3: The Circle of Life is a film about finding balance—between holding onto the past and embracing the future, between grief and acceptance. It is a celebration of the human spirit, of the ways in which we carry our loved ones with us even after they are gone, and of the way the next generation can help us heal old wounds. The film’s exploration of death and loss is not one of finality, but rather of continuity, showing that life moves forward in cycles, with each generation finding its own path toward healing.

The film’s conclusion is deeply satisfying, offering a sense of resolution without the need for a neat, tidy ending. Vada may never fully let go of the grief that has shaped her, but she learns to live with it in a way that allows her to move forward. As the film closes, Vada and Leo stand together, looking toward the future with the knowledge that the circle of life is one that they must both embrace—together, as a family.

In the end, My Girl 3: The Circle of Life is not just a return to the beloved Sultenfuss family—it is a journey of personal growth, healing, and the power of love to transcend time. It is a testament to the ways in which we all must face our pasts, honor our losses, and learn to embrace the beauty of life, even in the face of death.

Rating: 4.5/5
My Girl 3: The Circle of Life beautifully captures the emotional depth of its predecessors while introducing a new generation to the timeless themes of love, loss, and healing. With heartfelt performances, a poignant script, and a visual style that complements its emotional resonance, the film is a touching return to a beloved family.