Now You See Me (2013) – Review

2013   •   Lionsgate

Rated:  PG-13

Length:  1 hr  55min

Crime ~ Drama ~ Mystery ~ Thriller

Director:  Louis Leterrier

Writers:  Ed Solomon, Boaz Yakin, and Edward Ricourt.

Actors:  Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson, Mélanie Laurent, Isla Fisher, Common, Dave Franco, Michael Caine, and Morgan Freeman.

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The Closer You Look, The Less You’ll See!

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Official Trailer

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Now You See Me (2013) – Review

Now You See Me is the story of four magicians, each with their own particular set of skills:

• J. Daniel Atlas (Jesse Eisenberg): A highly ambitious and arrogant street magician, he specializes in fast-paced cardistry, sleight of hand and close-up illusions. He is a successful solo performer with his own following.
• Merritt McKinney (Woody Harrelson): The oldest member of the group and a world-class mentalist. Once a famous hypnotist with his own TV specials, he fell into obscurity after his manager brother stole his life savings. He preys on marks in the street using “cold reading” and suggestion to manipulate his victims.
• Jack Wilder (Dave Franco): The youngest and most eager member, specializing in sleight-of-hand and street magic. Unlike the others, who are grand performers, Jack is a talented pickpocket, lock-picker, and impressionist.
• Henley Reeves (Isla Fisher): An expert escapologist and stage magician and the only female member of the four. Henley has a complex history with Atlas, having previously worked as his stage assistant before striking out on her own to pursue solo stardom.

They all mysteriously receive a tarot card with a time and an address to an abandoned apartment in 5 Pointz, Long Island in New York City, saying that’s when and where the show starts. J. Daniel Atlas receives The Lovers Tarot Card, Merritt McKinney – The Hermit, Jack Wilder – The Death card and Henley Reeves – The High Priestess. Intrigued they all go to the address on the cards and are surprised to see the others there. Finding the door locked, Jack picks the lock and they all enter the Apt. Inside they find an emblem carved into the wood floor.

J. Daniel picks up a rose that is on the floor and places it inside a vase of water, which sets off a chain reaction of tricks and holograms that completely enthralls them, showing them an elaborate set of blueprints. Fast forward to a year later and they are performing on stage billed as “The Four Horsemen”, sponsored by Billionaire Arthur Tressler (Michael Caine). As they perform their stage show, they are simultaneously robbing a bank in Paris, France in real time from the stage as part of of their act. The only thing is it isn’t an illusion, the bank actually gets robbed and they disperse the money to the audience as they watch it happen.

The FBI is immediately alerted and Special Agent Dylan Rhodes (Mark Ruffalo) and his Supervisor Agent Evans (Common) are assigned to the case. French Interpol Agent Alma Dray (Mélanie Laurent) is sent to New York to work with the FBI. They team up to investigate “The Four Horsemen” and try to figure out how they pulled off the on stage caper. From the sidelines enters Thaddeus Bradley (Morgan Freeman), a former magician who has made a lucrative 30-year career out of revealing the secrets behind other magicians’ tricks. He is brought in as a consultant by the FBI because he is the only one cynical enough to see through the Horsemen’s spectacle.

It is a thrilling magic show and chase as “The Four Horsemen” outwit The FBI, Interpol and Thaddeus, leaving them scratching their heads as the shows and heists escalate with bigger spectacle and bigger heists. The closer you look, the less you see and the more you wonder what the end game is. Now You See Me features an absolutely brilliant ensemble cast, magic galore, car chases, mystery, intrigue and a storyline with more twists and turns than a high-speed chase through the streets of Paris. How could you go wrong? Highly Recommended!

Turn off the lights and devices,

Make some popcorn

Grab a beverage

and stream

Now You See Me!

Now You See Me (2013) – Review by Bobby @ Streaming Movie Night.

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Movie Stills

Now You See Me (2013) – Review – © 2026 Streaming Movie Night

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