When I showed up for the screening, they were already building the Christmas market and unloading Christmas trees. I swear, it’s like the universe was in on the illusion — Christmas is sneaking up faster than a Horseman with a deck of cards. And the festive season always feels enchanted. Everything slows down a little, lights glow softer, and somehow even Gremlins feels cozy again. But what if you don’t have family to share all that with? Easy — you make one. That’s what Bosco, Charlie, and June do. A band of modern misfits who’ve found family through illusion, chaos, and trust — and they’re back to play the ultimate game: Now You See Me: Now You Don’t.
The Now You See Me, Now You Don’t Story (Or, The Part We’re Not Showing)
Because let’s face it — a magician who reveals their tricks is just a guy with props. So no spoilers here. Let’s just say this film pulls off more misdirection than a politician at a press conference — and we love it.
Charlie a.k.a. Justice Smith
Charlie’s the mastermind — part genius, part chaos controller, and probably the guy who alphabetizes his magic cards. The strategist who thinks three steps ahead while everyone else is still finding the deck.
We caught up with Justice Smith last year, and he’s every bit as delightful as his on-screen self. If you haven’t seen him yet, brush up with Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, or Sharper. He brings that perfect “brainy-but-charming” energy — think Doctor Strange, but with better comedic timing.
June a.k.a. Ariana Greenblatt
Cool. Bold. Effortlessly magnetic. June moves like she’s got parkour in her DNA — one minute she’s on the ground, the next she’s vanished into thin air.
Ariana Greenblatt’s career is pure magic in itself. She stole hearts as young Gamora in Avengers: Infinity War, cracked us up as Sasha in Barbie, and gave chaotic genius in Borderlands (hey, not every spell lands perfectly). Here, she’s pure adrenaline — the kind of character you wish was on your team in literally any situation.
Bosco a.k.a. Dominic Sessa
Every illusion needs a wildcard — enter Bosco. A rebel, a rule-breaker, and the guy your mom warned you about (but who’d totally win her over by dessert).
Beneath that swagger, though, is heart — the kind that fiercely protects his little found family.
Dominic Sessa proves quality beats quantity. With The Holdovers, his very first film, he scooped up over 20 award nominations and 8 wins — including “Best Newcomer.” Not bad for someone who just made his cinematic debut. That’s like pulling an Oscar out of a top hat.
The Original Horsemen
And just when you think the magic couldn’t get more nostalgic — boom! The originals are back. Jesse Eisenberg returns as Atlas — still juggling cards, confidence, and that “I-know-something-you-don’t” grin.
Woody Harrelson is back as Merritt McKinney — the wise (read: older and slightly grumpier) mentalist we can’t get enough of. Dave Franco’s Jack Wilder is still the sleek, boyish escape artist we wish would teach us a trick or two.
Then there’s Isla Fisher as Henley Reeves, bringing pure female finesse and charm, and Lizzy Caplan’s Lula, still armed with biting sarcasm and flair. And of course — the legend himself — Morgan Freeman as Thaddeus Bradley.
His voice alone could make a disappearing act sound like a sermon. Every line lands with gravitas — like the universe itself just got narrated.
Then there’s Isla Fisher as Henley Reeves, bringing pure female finesse and charm, and Lizzy Caplan’s Lula, still armed with biting sarcasm and flair. And of course — the legend himself — Morgan Freeman as Thaddeus Bradley. His voice alone could make a disappearing act sound like a sermon. Every line lands with gravitas — like the universe itself just got narrated.
Veronika Vanderberg a.k.a. Rosamund Pike
Ah yes — let’s not forget her, the woman everyone loves to hate: Veronika Vanderberg. Filthy rich, utterly ruthless, and the kind of business mogul who makes greed look glamorous. Her empire stretches from luxury boardrooms to the dusty mines of South Africa, where diamonds — like power — are never truly clean. Behind her flawless smile hides an entire syndicate built on deception, exploitation, and just the right amount of evil genius. It’s only a matter of time before the Horsemen decide to pay her a little… personal visit.
Rosamund Pike plays Veronika with her trademark cool precision — the kind that chills a room before she even speaks.
The British actress, now based in Prague, first captivated audiences as the unforgettable Bond girl in Die Another Day. But it was her turn as Amy Dunne in David Fincher’s Gone Girl that truly proved she could weaponize charm and danger in equal measure.
In Now You See Me: Now You Don’t, Pike once again blurs the line between beauty and menace. She’s the diamond in the deck — dazzling, dangerous, and definitely not what she seems. After all, in the world of illusion, the most brilliant surfaces often hide the darkest truths.
🎬 NOW YOU SEE ME, NOW YOU DON’T Verdict:
Now You See Me: Now You Don’t doesn’t simply continue the franchise — it reinvents it. Sure, knowing the first two films helps (bonus points if you remember The Eye), but you can easily jump in cold and still get swept away.
The plot’s straightforward, which is great — because your brain will be too busy keeping up with the spectacle. The humor sparkles, especially in the generational banter between the OG Horsemen and their new prodigies. Think Ocean’s Eleven meets Euphoria, but with more card tricks and fewer identity crises.
The pacing? Blink and you’ll miss three twists. It’s one of the fastest, most kinetic films of the year — the cinematic equivalent of a sleight-of-hand master at full throttle.
But underneath all the flash and fun, there’s heart — and a message that’s stayed true since the first film: take down the greedy, expose the liars, and restore a little balance to the world. It’s Robin Hood with better outfits.
Somewhere out there, Billie Eilish is probably nodding along in approval. Because while others ask the rich to share their wealth, the Horsemen just… make it disappear.
We’ve all been tricked, cheated, or shortchanged at some point — and watching these magicians get poetic justice on our behalf? Utterly satisfying. And hey, they do it all without wagging a moral finger. Just pure, mischievous, cinematic joy.
✨ NOW YOU SEE THE Final Trick
Now You See Me: Now You Don’t is everything you want from a third act — sleek, fast, clever, and full of heart. It’s an illusion you want to believe in.
With style, spectacle, and a sprinkle of revenge glitter, it’s a worthy and magical continuation of the franchise. Final Score: 🎴 8 out of 10 disappearing cards — and one knowing wink from Thaddeus Bradley.
Text & Video: Marco Kokkot
Trailers: Lionsgate Film-Images: Katalin Vermes/Lionsgate.
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