Review by Jon Donnis
Ruben Fleischer's 2025 heist film, Now You See Me: Now You Don't, reunites the original Four Horsemen while introducing a new trio of young illusionists, Charlie, Bosco, and June. Using holograms and deepfakes, the newcomers impersonate the Horsemen to carry out daring heists before joining forces with the originals to take down Veronika Vanderberg, a South African diamond heiress involved in laundering money for criminals. The story spans Antwerp, a château in France, and the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, blending family secrets, personal revenge, and high-stakes magical trickery.
The film is visually energetic and chaotic. The heists are elaborate and colourful, with Fleischer keeping the pace brisk and the spectacle constant. Combining the original cast with new performers injects energy, particularly in scenes where the older Horsemen mentor or intervene. For casual viewing, it works well as a light, entertaining popcorn film that can fill a festive evening without demanding full attention.
On the other hand, the plot is weak and largely predictable. The story relies heavily on CGI, which reduces the sense of cleverness in the heists and trickery. Dialogue often feels forced or unnatural, and while the younger magicians are central to the action, they struggle to be engaging. The original cast are underused, with their talents largely sidelined, and the narrative is cluttered, likely a result of having too many writers contributing to the screenplay.
There are moments of fun in the interplay between characters, especially when the past failures of the Horsemen are referenced or old rivalries resurface. The attempt to pass the torch to the younger magicians adds a sense of continuity, although it sometimes feels like it is stretching the story rather than enriching it. Key sequences, including the final heist and twist involving Charlie, offer spectacle but do not have the same cleverness or charm that defined the first film.
Now You See Me: Now You Don't is a colourful and occasionally enjoyable adventure, but it lacks the ingenuity, cohesion, and charisma of its predecessors. It provides light entertainment, with some fun set pieces and magical sequences, but the weak plot, predictable story beats, and underdeveloped new characters make it a disappointment for fans of the franchise. I would give it a 6 out of 10.
Out Now on Digital
Apple TV - https://apple.co/3MPbsQg
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