Walking into Now You See Me: Now You Don’t, I didn’t expect much beyond flashy—and, of course, unbelievable—sleight-of-hand and a few smug grins from the returning Horsemen. What I got was pretty much that—but with enough charm, humor, and energy from the new cast to keep me more entertained than I expected, even if I saw the twist coming a mile away.
This third entry serves as a soft relaunch after a long hiatus between films. Director Ruben Fleischer emphasizes the generational shift by introducing a new trio of illusionists: Justice Smith as Charlie, the earnest mastermind with more nerves than swagger; Ariana Greenblatt as June, a sharp, quick lock-picker with a mischievous streak; and Dominic Sessa as Bosco, the performer, master of disguise, scene-stealer, and self-proclaimed bad-boy rogue. Honestly, I ended up liking this group more than the returning Horsemen—though Woody Harrelson remains consistently charming, and any film featuring him instantly gets a boost of at least half a grade.
The setup is classic franchise fare: a diamond heist forces the retired Horsemen back into action and pits them against the new crew. When the younger trio impersonates the Four Horsemen for an early con, they catch the attention of Jesse Eisenberg’s J. Daniel Atlas, who recruits them for a mission from the Eye to take down Veronika Vanderberg (a perfectly icy Rosamund Pike), the CEO of a South African diamond empire with more secrets than sparkle. The generational bickering that follows—millennial neurosis versus Gen Z swagger, with Woody mediating from the sidelines—is some of the movie’s best comedy.
To its credit, the cast delivers well enough. Smith makes a likable, self-doubting leader; Greenblatt continues to show she has serious star wattage; and Sessa is magnetic, often outshining Eisenberg in their shared scenes. Lizzy Caplan’s return is a pleasant surprise, and Pike is one of those villains we can gladly root against with all our hearts.
Where the movie falls short is in its spectacle and ambition. The tricks seem smaller compared to the first two films—not bad, just… smaller. The visual effects aren’t particularly exciting, and nothing here requires a big-screen experience. I’d even say it works just as well at home on a casual weeknight, with your feet up and snacks ready. The energy is enjoyable, but the stakes never feel especially high.
And yes—the big twist? I guessed it embarrassingly early. The film hints too loudly at what it thinks it’s cleverly hiding, which undercuts some of the final act’s intended “wow.”
Still, despite its predictability and modesty, Now You See Me: Now You Don’t is far from being a poor distraction. It’s light, charming, occasionally funny, and features a genuinely enjoyable new ensemble. Franchise fans will at least have their curiosity piqued without demanding too much. It’s the cinematic equivalent of a good matinee: not essential, not groundbreaking, but pleasant enough that I didn’t mind the time spent.