The Four Horsemen and the three young additions pose together in Now You See Me: Now You Don't
By
Atreyo Palit
Published 29 minutes ago
They are a freelance list author for ScreenRant. They are passionate about introducing readers to lesser-known media, especially with a focus on representation. They're always scavenging for offbeat content that tells stories mainstream media won't, or that have been forgotten over time.
Sign in to your ScreenRant account
Summary
Generate a summary of this story
follow
Follow
followed
Followed
Like
Like
Thread
Log in
Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents:
Try something different:
Show me the facts
Explain it like I’m 5
Give me a lighthearted recap
After nearly a decade, the group of magicians known as the Four Horsemen, which only accounts for half of their current members, is back in Now You See Me: Now You Don't. They're still doing silly and over-the-top shenanigans in the name of magic tricks, which are responsible for the entertainment factor in Now You See Me: Now You Don't.
The cast size of Now You See Me 3 is a problem, because many characters feel underwritten and aren't given the kind of attention they deserve. Despite featuring a stellar cast comprising some of the most promising talent in the industry, the movie underutilizes many of the great actors in it. It mostly relies on elaborate setpieces to engage audiences.
As is the case with these movies, there are more twists in the third part than you can keep track of. They often rely on loose logic, but they set up unexpected revelations and add some level of intrigue to the flat storyline. However, one twist is compelling, and it occurs in Now You See Me: Now You Don't's ending.
Now You See Me: Now You Don't Doesn't Take Anything Seriously
Ariana Greenblatt, Jesse Eisenberg, Dave Franco dressed up and walking while being chased in Now You See: Now You Don'tKatalin Vermes/© Lionsgate/Courtesy Everett Collection
Now You See Me: Now You Don't follows three new magicians, played by Justice Smith (Charlie), Dominic Sessa (Bosco), and Ariana Greenblatt (June), as they join Jesse Eisenberg's Atlas, and later his three other team members from the first movie, aka Merritt (Woody Harrelson), Henley (Isla Fisher), and Jack (Dave Franco). They take on the rich socialite Veronika (Rosamund Pike).
Lizzy Caplan's Lula from Now You See Me 2 also joins the group in the second half, making them the Eight Horsemen, although they continue using their stage name of the Four Horsemen. Veronika is an evil corporate CEO with no empathy for anyone and no respect for any cultures, making her the ideal villain for the Horsemen to target.
However, despite giving one of the characters a personal motivation, the film fails to engage viewers emotionally because it's much more focused on creating a spectacle every few minutes. There is no breathing space in the story, which is filled with unnecessary plot twists and a complete lack of sincerity. While this ensures that it's entertaining, the film isn't memorable.
There is even a shocking character death, but the movie moves on quicker than you can say Abracadabra. The refusal to let it develop into a bigger talking point or to give the actor a better send-off, especially considering he's a beloved veteran, is jarring. While deaths don't stick in the franchise, such an emotional moment still deserves more seriousness.
In fact, it's this disregard for emotions that makes this sequel feel tone-deaf and frustrating. The franchise has always used poorly written twists and over-the-top stunts to create thrilling spectacles, but both the previous instalments and especially the last one, had a strong emotional thread, which proved to be its strongest aspect. You were invested through the sacrifice of logic.
Dylan Shrike's Now You See Me 2 Arc Is The Franchise's Best
Mark Ruffalo as Dylan in Now You See Me 2
Mark Ruffalo's Dylan Shrike has an emotionally charged role in Now You See Me 2. He is out to avenge the death of his parents at the hands of corrupt individuals who, albeit unintentionally, sabotaged his final magic trick that led to his untimely death in front of Dylan's eyes, which makes Now You See Me 2's ending somewhat satisfying.
The movie still uses broken logic to explain away the clear gaps in logic and continuity, but there is a reason to be invested in the story. You are rooting for Dylan throughout the movie, especially because it opens with the scene of him watching his father's death. So, despite the over-the-top spectacles, you're emotionally engaged in the movie's events.
It is particularly disappointing to see that Now You See Me: Now You Don't struggles to keep you invested despite telling a story of revenge, considering how Dylan's arc was treated in the last movie. The new film doesn't spend enough time setting up the emotional climax, which is why you might feel bored by the constant barrage of spectacles.
Dylan's Return Can Make The Franchise Compelling Again
Mark Ruffalo in Now You See Me 2
One of the biggest reasons Dylan Shrike can keep you emotionally invested in the Now You See Me movies is the talent of the actor who plays him. Mark Ruffalo's return in Now You See Me 4 might help the franchise tackle its problem of struggling to leave a lasting impression on viewers, who just watch for silly fun now.
Mark Ruffalo's commitment to his craft makes you feel Dylan's rage in the few scenes where he's allowed to be sincere. You are moved by his need for revenge and his love for magic as a means of achieving meaningful change in the world. When Dylan talks, you forget how goofy the movies are, even if he's saying something silly.
So, even if, like Ariana Greenblatt, Now You See Me 3's twist ending confused me as well, I'm actually glad the movie teases a possible part four where Dylan returns as a character, hopefully with a major role. Mark Ruffalo can make these movies compelling beyond just being entertaining, and I really hope the climactic setup will eventually pan out.
Now You See Me: Now You Don't
PG-13
Thriller
Crime
Mystery
4/10
7.0/10
Release Date
November 12, 2025
Cast
Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, Isla Fisher, Justice Smith, Dominic Sessa, Ariana Greenblatt, Rosamund Pike, Morgan Freeman, Lizzy Caplan, Daniel Radcliffe, Mark Ruffalo, Thabang Kamogelo Molaba, Sebastian Eugene Hansen, Dominic Allburn, Andrew Santino
Runtime
112 minutes
Director
Ruben Fleischer
Writers
Rhett Reese, Seth Grahame-Smith, Michael Lesslie, Paul Wernick, Eric Warren Singer, Boaz Yakin, Edward Ricourt
Producers
Alex Kurtzman, Bobby Cohen
Genres
Thriller, Crime, Mystery
Powered by
Expand
Collapse
-
Movies
-
Now You See Me: Now You Don't
We want to hear from you! Share your opinions in the thread below and remember to keep it respectful.
Be the first to post Images Attachment(s) Please respect our community guidelines. No links, inappropriate language, or spam.Your comment has not been saved
Send confirmation emailThis thread is open for discussion.
Be the first to post your thoughts.
- Terms
- Privacy
- Feedback
3 days ago
Will There Be A Wicked 3?
3 days ago
Jurassic World: Chaos Theory EP Reveals Which Of The Nublar Six Almost Didn't Survive The Finale
3 days ago
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ Most-Anticipated Movie Just Got A Devastating Blow In New Report
3 days ago
Why The Batman Part II Should Avoid Joker
More from our brands
Best New Movies To Watch On Streaming Right Now
It's That Time of Year Again! How To Watch the 'Harry Potter' Movies in Order (Chronologically or by Release Date)
The Best Movies In Theaters Right Now
'The Fantastic Four: First Steps': 8 Things You Need to Know About Marvel's First Family's MCU Debut
Now You See Me: Now You Don’t Cast Net Worth Reveals The Real Magic
50 Best New Movies on Streaming to Watch Right Now
50 Best New TV Shows to Stream Right Now
Trending Now
Dorothy Star Reveals Full Face On Wicked Set As She Breaks Her Silence On Role In For Good
How Jonathan Bailey Made Sure Fiyero Leaving Glinda Was Extra Painful In Wicked: For Good
Joel Edgerton's New Netflix Movie With Best Picture Buzz Is Lighting Up The Streaming Charts
