Now You See Me, Now You Don’t Lives By Its’ Cast, Dies by Its Magic [Review]

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The third installment in the Now You See Me series, Now You See Me, Now You Don’t, has a few weaknesses. A major issue is the nine-year gap since the second film, which followed the first only three years prior. While many older franchises are revived with sequels these days, Now You See Me wasn’t a massive blockbuster, and such a long wait creates difficulties. Viewers may struggle to recall the events of the earlier films, or they might be completely unfamiliar with them, making it hard to follow the new movie.

Honestly, this movie frustrated me a bit. So much happens that just isn’t explained, and if you haven’t seen the first two Now You See Me films, it’s tough to connect with the characters or understand what’s at stake. But it’s not all bad! The cast is fantastic – everyone really brings their A-game. The chemistry between them is amazing, and the new actors fit right in. Still, the original Horsemen are definitely the heart of the franchise and steal the show.

Okay, so the new movie, Now You See Me, Now You Don’t, starts a while after we last saw the Horsemen. It looked like they were getting back together for a show, but it turned out to be a setup – these new magicians were actually using the Horsemen’s name to get back at some seriously unlikeable tech guys. They’re a new team – Charlie, Bosco, and June – and honestly, they’re pretty good! But then things get complicated when Danny suddenly shows up and is not happy they’ve been borrowing his crew’s reputation. He reveals this mysterious group called ‘The Eye’ wants both teams working together! It all leads to this crazy plan to take down a super-rich woman who’s making money from really awful stuff. It’s a lot, but in the best way!

Rating: 2.5 out of 5

PROS CONS
The cast’s chemistry still carries the movie. The movie doesn’t explain much for newcomers.
Justice Smith and Ariana Greenblatt are welcome additions. Dominic Sessa is a hard character to care about, the weakest of the group.
Rosamund Pike is great as the new villain. The entire main trick makes no sense when broken down.
The magic reveals are still great fun.

Now You See Me, Now You Don’t Thrives With Its Cast’s Chemistry

What makes Now You See Me, Now You Don’t work is how well the lead actors play off each other. The core group of illusionists, known as the Horsemen, effortlessly fall back into their roles. Woody Harrelson is fantastic as Merritt, continuing to be the comedic highlight of the film. Jesse Eisenberg is perfectly suited for the role of Danny, the group’s somewhat annoying but still appealing member. Dave Franco as Jack remains the least developed of the group, but he still shares a strong connection with the other Horsemen.

The movie reunites Isla Fisher as Henley, explaining her absence in the previous film with the news that she started a family. Lizzy Caplan also returns as Lula, having taken over the role from Fisher in the second movie. Their on-screen chemistry is a highlight, as they’re the only female members of the Horsemen. The film quickly resolves the story of the Horsemen’s breakup and individual pursuits, wrapping that up by the middle of the movie. Even a previous storyline involving Merritt’s struggles feels unimportant once the central plot kicks in.

The success of this installment really hinged on the new characters. Three young actors – Charlie, Bosco, and June – joined the cast, playing individuals seeking revenge on those who swindle others. While their performances were a mixed bag, Justice Smith stood out as the quiet, intelligent leader of the group. Greenblatt, as June, delivered the most compelling action sequences, demonstrating impressive self-defense skills. Sessa’s portrayal of Bosco felt weaker, as the character was often more confrontational than useful, frequently creating problems for himself. Fortunately, the new additions blended well with the existing characters, and the strong character development was the highlight of the film.

The Now You See Me, Now You Don’t Plot Holes Drag the Movie Down

Look, as a movie critic, I’m always up for a good magic show, but Now You See Me, Now You Don’t really highlights a core issue with this series. A film built around illusions is only as captivating as the tricks themselves. And just like the previous installments, director Ruben Fleischer goes to great lengths to reveal how those tricks are done. We get explanations from the Horsemen and their crew, showing the audience how they seemingly pulled off these incredible stunts. Honestly, watching the scams unfold is exciting. But after the credits roll, when you start to actually think about the mechanics, it’s…well, a little deflating.

The film’s big twist, revealed at the end, is meant to be shocking for both the villain, brilliantly played by Rosamund Pike as Veronika Vanderberg, and the viewers. While the twist initially feels surprising, it doesn’t actually fit with what happened earlier in the movie. Once you leave the theater and start thinking about it, the whole thing begins to unravel.

The magic and action sequences are still enjoyable, and it’s fun watching the team escape dangerous predicaments. It’s always satisfying to see the original Horsemen work through their issues and come up with solutions together. Seeing them outsmart tech entrepreneurs and those dealing in conflict diamonds is also a highlight, but the plot needs to be believable. While the twist was surprising, it wasn’t fully convincing because the villains should have noticed something was off much earlier, given the obvious clues.

Even though Now You See Me, Now You Don’t has a few plot problems and an unbelievable twist, it’s still enjoyable because of the actors. Woody Harrelson is particularly funny, and Jesse Eisenberg, Dave Franco, and Jack Fisher all do a great job returning to their roles. The movie has a scene after the credits that won’t make sense if you haven’t seen the previous films, but it hints at another sequel – and a bigger team! It looks like the group of magicians will double in size, going from four to eight, as a mysterious figure sends them on a new adventure. Overall, Now You See Me, Now You Don’t is a good choice for a lighthearted movie night, but don’t overthink the magic tricks!

Now You See Me, Now You Don’t hits theaters on November 14.

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2025-11-11 17:15