'Now You See Me: Now You Don't' Review: A Passing of the Torch That Mostly Lands the Trick
- Shauna Bushe
- 2 minutes ago
- 3 min read
By Shauna Bushe - November 16, 2025
After nearly a decade of silence, the Now You See Me franchise returns with Now You See Me: Now You Don’t, a film that confidently cracks its knuckles, steps back onto the stage, and announces that the Horsemen are ready for one more show. This latest chapter feels both like a reunion and an introduction to a next generation, aiming to honour what fans loved about the original films while carving out space for new blood. The result is a lively, trick-filled caper that’s at its best when it leans into spectacle—but occasionally stumbles under the weight of its own ambition.
A Sleek Return with a New Set of Players
The plot centres on a high-stakes heist that draws the original Horsemen back together and entangles them with a group of younger illusionists whose talents are equal parts impressive and unpredictable. A powerful new adversary forces both teams into a cat-and-mouse chase that spans continents, stages, and underground networks, with the Eye taking a backseat. The story moves quickly, offering enough twists and complications to keep viewers eagerly watching without rehashing old tricks and tales.
What Works: Energy, Charm, and Cleverly Crafted Tricks
One of the film’s greatest strengths is its cast. The returning Horsemen slip easily back into their dynamics, carrying the same mix of rivalry, banter, and unshakable confidence that shaped the earlier movies. The newcomers bring a jolt of fresh energy, counterbalancing the legacy characters with a playful recklessness that shakes up the team in all the right ways. Together, they create a layered, electrifying ensemble that keeps the film’s pulse steady even when the plot becomes crowded.
The magic sequences are reliably entertaining. The film leans into the franchise’s hallmark style—sleek, choreographed illusions that straddle the line between practical performance and heightened cinematic flair. Whether it’s a large-scale escape or a deliberately overcomplicated sleight-of-hand routine, the set pieces are staged with an obvious sense of fun. They may not always feel grounded, but they remain inventive enough to maintain the illusion.
Visually, the movie has the polish and swagger audiences expect. The cinematography embraces glossy cityscapes and dramatic lighting, while the soundtrack adds a rhythmic drive that keeps each trick feeling like a performance within the performance.
Where the film falters is in its attempt to juggle too much at once. With both the original Horsemen and an entire new crew in play, the story sometimes spreads itself thin. There’s a sense that the film is trying to serve two goals at once: concluding one era while launching another. This gives the narrative a transitional feel—entertaining, but not always as tightly constructed or surprising as the series’ strongest moments.
Technical Strengths That Keep the Magic Alive
Even with its narrative hiccups, the film shines in its technical execution. The directing is energetic without being chaotic, the editing is crisp, and the production design embraces the franchise’s love of glitzy modern mystique. Set pieces are clearly storyboarded with an eye for rhythm, and the film’s biggest illusions—while occasionally stretching believability—deliver the kind of visual punch that audiences come for.
Now You See Me: Now You Don’t is a stylish, spirited return to a franchise that thrives on charm and misdirection. It doesn’t reinvent the formula, and its attempt to balance old and new occasionally leaves the story unfocused, but it delivers enough spectacle and personality to justify its comeback. Fans of the series will appreciate seeing the Horsemen back in action, while newcomers will find plenty to enjoy in the film’s fresh faces and energetic tricks.
It’s not the franchise’s cleanest trick—but it’s a confident one. And for a series built on illusions, that confidence is half the magic.
'Now You See Me: Now You Don't' is out now in cinemas.
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