Movies with magicians
Cinema loves to take hold of different themes to turn them into films, and magic is no exception to this rule. As a visual art par excellence, it is only natural that conjuring should invite itself through the lens of cameras, staging actors playing the roles of magicians. In this article, we will look at the main films whose central theme is magic. We will not cover series here, and will focus exclusively on films. Finally, we will only talk about films related to magic in the sense of the art of conjuring, and not those where magic is discussed in a more general sense (like Harry Potter, for example).
Now You See Me 1
Daniel Atlas, a charismatic illusionist, is recruited by a mysterious stranger, as are his former partner Henley Reeves, an escape artist, Jack Wilder, a skilled conjurer and pickpocket, and Merritt McKinney, a sarcastic mentalist hypnotist. A year later, they form "The Four Horsemen," a group of illusionists led by Atlas.
During their first major show in Las Vegas, they make a big splash by pulling off a spectacular heist: live, before the eyes of the audience, they manage to rob a bank located in France and make the stolen bills rain down in the hall. Their second coup, in New Orleans, targets their own patron, Arthur Tressler, an insurer who had refused to compensate the victims of Hurricane Katrina. This time, they redistribute his millions directly into the bank accounts of the spectators, all defrauded by Tressler in the past.
Determined to stop their series of heists, FBI agent Dylan Rhodes sets off in pursuit. He is forced to team up with Alma Dray, an Interpol investigator from France, whom he distrusts from the outset. Overwhelmed by the complexity of the case, Dylan calls on Thaddeus Bradley, a former magician turned presenter, known for revealing the secrets of illusionists. Bradley explains to them that the first heist was made possible by video trickery and disguises.
Dylan and Alma eventually suspect that a fifth accomplice is operating in the shadows, and that their identity could be the key to solving the whole case.
Now You See Me 2
A year after outsmarting the FBI and captivating audiences with their spectacular illusions, the remaining members of the Four Horsemen — J. Daniel Atlas, Merritt McKinney, and Jack Wilder — are now living in the shadows, awaiting new instructions from The Eye, the mysterious secret society of magicians that recruited them.
Atlas, frustrated by the inaction and more mature, decides to take the lead. He tries to unravel the mystery of The Eye by his own means. His quest leads him to an underground tunnel, where an enigmatic voice announces that his waiting time is coming to an end.
Back home, Atlas discovers Lula May, an eccentric illusionist, installed in his apartment. Despite his attempts to trap her, she outwits him and flees.
Shortly after, Atlas meets Merritt and Jack for a meeting with their FBI contact: Dylan Rhodes, who finally entrusts them with a new mission. Their objective is to expose the dubious practices of Owen Case, an entrepreneur whose latest software steals users' personal data for the benefit of the Octa company.
To complete the team, Lula May is recruited to replace Henley Reeves, who has since left the Horsemen.
The Prestige
The film tells the story of Alfred Borden (Christian Bale), a magician from the late 19th century, accused of the alleged murder of his rival, Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman). Their rivalry, born several years earlier, originated from the tragic death of Angier's wife during a trick gone wrong. Obsessed with magic and the quest for the perfect show, the two men engage in a fierce struggle over a spectacular trick called "The Transported Man," each seeking to outdo the other. In the background, Nikola Tesla's (David Bowie) fascinating experiments with electricity fuel the competition and blur the lines between science and illusion. See our full article on this film here.
The Illusionist
In early 20th century Vienna, Eisenheim (Edward Norton), a mysterious and charismatic illusionist, fascinates crowds with his seemingly supernatural shows. During a performance, he reunites with Sophie (Jessica Biel), his childhood love, now engaged to Crown Prince Leopold (Rufus Sewell), a brutal and ambitious man.
Eisenheim then decides to use his art to challenge authority and try to free Sophie from this forced union. But he clashes with Inspector Uhl (Paul Giamatti), an intelligent police officer devoted to the prince, but fascinated by the illusionist.
When Sophie is found dead under disturbing circumstances, Eisenheim delves into the mystery, manipulating minds, blurring the line between reality and illusion... until an unexpected denouement, where the full truth about his tricks and intentions is finally revealed.
Comme par magie
“Comme par magie” is a French dramatic comedy directed by Christophe Barratier, released in 2023.
The film tells the story of Victor (Kev Adams), a rising young magician, who finds himself widowed and a father on the same day when his partner, Margot, dies giving birth to their daughter, Lison. Distraught and with no parenting experience, Victor struggles to juggle his demanding career with his new role as a single father.
To help him, his father-in-law Jacques (Gérard Jugnot), a retired clown with a whimsical character, interferes in Lison’s upbringing, often against Victor’s will. This forced cohabitation between the two men, with opposing views, generates situations that are both comical and touching. Meanwhile, Nina (Claire Chust), Victor's strong-willed childhood friend, regularly intervenes to mediate conflicts and offer her support.
Throughout the story, Victor gradually learns to juggle his passion for magic with his parental responsibilities, discovering that true magic may lie in family ties and the love he has for his daughter.