Now You See Me: Now You Don’t Review: Is the Magic Back or Just Smoke and Mirrors?

The Horsemen are back, and surprise: the series finally nails the trick. After a wobbly second film, 'Now You See Me: Now You Don't' does the sequel thing right — bigger, cleaner, and way more fun. It's the best entry so far.

What are we watching here?

Ten years after their last show, the Four Horsemen reunite — with three new recruits in tow — for their riskiest play yet. They're still answering to The Eye, and this time the mark is the Heart Diamond, a.k.a. the largest diamond on the planet. The heist isn't just flashy for flash's sake; the plan is to use the diamond to take down Veronika Vanderberg, who runs a sprawling international crime syndicate.

Jesse Eisenberg, Isla Fisher, Dave Franco, and Woody Harrelson are back. Morgan Freeman returns too. Rosamund Pike steps in as Veronika. The fresh faces: Dominic Sessa, Ariana Greenblatt, and Justice Smith — all playing new illusionists folded into the team.

Does it actually work?

Somehow, yes. Director Ruben Fleischer juggles a crowded cast, a string of giant set pieces, and a surprising amount of magic-lore trivia without dropping the ball. The movie smartly introduces the rookies up front, so by the time the original crew appears, you already know who the new kids are and how they slot in.

• Dominic Sessa plays Bosco, a cocky, spotlight-loving front man — a clear mirror to Eisenberg's Atlas.
• Ariana Greenblatt is June, a nimble lock-pick and sleight-of-hand specialist, filling the Jack/Dave Franco lane.
• Justice Smith is Charlie, the nervous, behind-the-curtain type — think an early-days Henley vibe for Isla Fisher's counterpart.

Where it stumbles

Whenever the script leans into Old Guard vs. New Blood, the movie clunks to a halt. Those scenes are brief, thankfully, but they definitely drag. The film also tries to land a few heartfelt beats; they're fine, they just don't linger. This series sings when it's being clever and kinetic, and Fleischer seems to know it.

Where it shines

The tricks are sharper and, crucially, they feel like they could actually be pulled off by humans with absurd skill and planning. The movie keeps skirting that line between unbelievable and impossible without tumbling into full-on cartoon. It's a slick mash-up of heist-movie mechanics and stage-magic showmanship, which is exactly what this franchise should be.

The players

The returning ensemble falls right back into place — the chemistry is already baked in — which makes it easy to fold the newcomers into the mix. Among the rookies, Dominic Sessa pops the most; if you clocked him in The Holdovers, this backs up that breakout. Ariana Greenblatt brings spark and a competitive edge that plays well off the vets. Justice Smith is solid but lower-key than the rest — fitting for Charlie's characterization, though he could use a touch more juice.

Rosamund Pike is a great pull as Veronika. She plays it cool and grounded with a South African accent that, to my ear, sounds on point. (Full disclosure: my main reference point is way too much Survivor: South Africa.) The Horsemen movies are already ridiculous by design; having a calm, steady villain keeps the stakes tangible. Veronika is written as pretty one-note, but Pike elevates it.

The vibe, the blueprint, the next trick

At its best, this series needs three things: a clean hook, bold illusions that feel barely possible, and a game cast. This one checks all three. Three films in, the franchise finally feels locked in. Lionsgate has a fourth movie in development as of April 2025 with Fleischer set to return, and this should be the template going forward. Keep this balance and there's room for a few more without draining the tank.

Should you go?

"Short version: yes, see it. This is pure popcorn done right."

'Now You See Me: Now You Don't' hits theaters November 14.