It’s been nearly a decade since we last saw the Horsemen pulling off impossible tricks, discombobulating sleight of hand, and slick heists — but Now You See Me: Now You Don’t makes it feel like they never left.
The gang is back, with returning cast members Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, and Dave Franco joined by a younger trio of illusionists, fresh energy, and a wickedly fun villain in Rosamund Pike.
The plot? Classic Now You See Me chaos. There’s a diamond to steal, a mystery to solve, and about a hundred blink-and-you-miss-them twists in between. In true franchise fashion, if you start thinking too hard about the ever-evolving predicaments — or the perfectly timed plot armour our favourite illusionists always seem to conjure just in time — it all starts to wobble. The good news is… this film knows that. Its greatest strength lies in its self-awareness, constantly winking at the audience as if to say, “Relax, don’t overthink it — just enjoy the ride.” And honestly? You do.
Director Ruben Fleischer keeps the pace tight, the visuals loud, and the tricks bigger than ever, because that’s what you’re here for. Where this one really shines is in its energy — and for South African audiences, there’s an extra spark. With a significant part of the story set in Mzansi (and a few cheeky local references sprinkled throughout), the South African premiere at Montecasino was a full-blown spectacle. Local star Thabang Molaba, who plays opposite Pike’s deliciously villainous Veronika Vanderberg, hit the red carpet to a wave of cheers and signature local fanfare. Inside the cinema, the excitement was even more electric. Every time Thabang appeared on screen, the crowd erupted — we are talking proper whistles, applause, and laughter. You could feel the pride in the room. Seeing a South African actor stand shoulder-to-shoulder with some of Hollywood’s most famous actors — and absolutely holding his own — hit differently in a theatre packed with local fans. The filmmakers clearly had fun with that too, weaving in various South Africanisms that landed perfectly.
The ensemble cast is firing on all cylinders. Eisenberg remains the smug ringleader you love to hate; Harrelson brings his trademark dry humour; and Fisher’s return adds a much-needed cheekiness that felt as though it was missing from the last installment. The newcomers — Justice Smith, Ariana Greenblatt, and Dominic Sessa — bring a fun and youthful chaos to the mix. And Rosamund Pike? She’s pure cinematic mischief, equal parts classy and unhinged.
Sure, the plot’s tangled and the logic fades if you stare too long, but that’s kind of the point. Now You See Me: Now You Don’t isn’t trying to be smart, it’s trying to be fun. It’s cinematic sleight-of-hand where you know it’s all smoke and mirrors, but you’re grinning anyway.
If the first two films were about showing off the magic, this one’s about embracing the spectacle — and Thabang Molaba’s on-screen presence gives it a proper homegrown sparkle that South African audiences will love, without leaving international fans behind.
My advice: Don’t overthink it. Just sit back, grab your popcorn, and enjoy the show. And when you’re done, check out my interview with Thabang Molaba — where we talk about squaring up against the Horsemen, all of the on-set madness, and bringing South African flair to Hollywood’s biggest magic act of the year:
