From 10/25/2025 press screening:
"In the world of magic, everything that disappears... reappears."
The "Now You See Me" series is one of the most fun franchises of all time. In a way, the first two installments are also "Now You Don't," since you can't always trust your eyes that what you see is reality, and when it’s fantasy, you wonder how it's done. Sure, some scenes are too CGI-magical than plausible, practical tricks, but who cares?
To refresh, the Four Horsemen are card-reader Daniel Atlas (Jesse Eisenberg; “Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice,” "The Social Network"), hypnotist Meritt McKenney (Woody Harrelson, "The Hunger Games" series) and lock-picker Jack Wilder (Dave Franco). Escape artist Henley Reeves (Isla Fisher) left the team after the first film (2013), replaced by Lula May (Lizzy Caplan) in the sequel (2016).
It's been 10 years since the Four Horsemen were seen together. Apparently, they're now reunited for one magical night of performance. The live show is packed and the crowd cheers, especially when it rains money and a crooked rich guy is cooked. Things are not as they seem, of course.
There's a next generation of amateurs, albeit impressive illusionists impersonating the real stars. They met and bonded over broken homes and dropping out of schools, and have become like a family. Although the leader of the Four Horsemen, Daniel, did finally show up, to the amazement of the trio magician-friends - Bosco (Dominic Sessa), June (Ariana Greenblatt), Charlie (Justice Smith).
Daniel says that the Eye organization sent him a secret message that he has a job to do. Not just any job, but bigger and better than ever, which is to pull off a heist of the heart jewel at the diamond exhibit in Italy hosted by Veronika Vanderberg (Rosamund Pike, "Gone Girl"), the sleek heir of the Vanderberg's family fortune.
The Vanderberg family has been mining diamonds for two generations, selling them to highest bidders, which are typically warlords, arm dealers and traffickers. It's a front for money laundering operations at the largest scale, keeping everyone's hands shiningly clean from the blood-soaked, dirty money. Since the Four Horsemen disbanded a decade ago, Daniel needs the trio's help to master the trickery of the century.
The elaborate setup to pull wool over Veronika's and her security team's watching eyes is a rollicking treat. Stolen identity, secret switching, sleight of hand, and escaping from the premise. Most importantly, the heist reunites the Four Horsemen for real. Henley is back too. As it turns out, Henley, Meritt and Jack also received an individual message from the mythical Eye. The backstory of why they disappeared is delivered slightly comically.
The clue cards that the Four Horsemen received leads the magical misfits to a historic chateau in France. The chateau is filled with artifacts and antiques, secret hideaway and pathway, upside down hallway, big/small room and hall of mirrors. As a side note, if you have the chance to visit the World/Museum of Illusions in select cities, I highly recommend it. The group is greeted by Thaddeus Bradley (Morgan Freeman; "RED," Wanted"), magician debunker and now old friend of the Four Horsemen.
The police are closing in fast on the mansion. Not everyone is able to run, hide or escape. Some end up in handcuffs. Time for jailbreak! Since the magnificent seven are now wanted fugitives, they need to call in the calvary. Thankfully Lula is available and she helps make the jailbreak and reunion a riot. Almost everyone is able to escape, except one.
An exchange is eventually arranged; the heart jewel for one of their own. The heart jewel also needs to be returned to its rightful owner. Veronika plans to host a motorsports gala in Abu Dhabi, so the group jets off to meet her there. The hand-off is a case of one upping the other, with Veronika gaining the upper hand, sealing most of the magicians inside a death-trapped box underground with no way out. The collective escape and final act will blow your mind away.
The first two instalments are amazing, but 'Now You Don't' takes it to the next level. The overarching story is one that you will not see coming! Beyond the illusions, the story cleverly comes full circle in such an unpredictable way.
Forget logic. Sometimes all we need is a little magic. Brilliantly illusioned and written, "Now You See Me: Now You Don't" is escapist entertainment at its glamorous and grandest.
