Now You See Me – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Now You See Me

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2013

64%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Slick magician-heist mashup that's fun to puzzle through but celebrates cons over conscience.

51%

7.3

→

Now You See Me

movie

2013

64%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Slick magician-heist mashup that's fun to puzzle through but celebrates cons over conscience.

51%

7.3

Jump to

Also rated on

51%

7.3

View →

Where to Watch

Loading streaming options...

Where-to-watch data byJustWatch

Screenwise Verdict

Now You See Me is a solid popcorn thriller that's more fun than profound. It's got style, energy, and enough cleverness to keep teens engaged, but don't expect deep character arcs or meaningful life lessons—this is spectacle over substance.

The magic-heist combo is genuinely creative, and the film rewards active viewing (spotting clues, debating twists). That said, it glorifies cons and rule-breaking with a thin 'Robin Hood' veneer, so it's worth a conversation about whether stealing from bad guys makes you a hero or just...a thief with good PR.

Critics were split (51% on Rotten Tomatoes), but audiences enjoyed it (70%), and it holds up as entertaining—if not exactly enriching—family viewing for teens. Just know it's more 'turn your brain off and enjoy the ride' than 'think deeply about morality and justice.'

Age Fit

Best for 13+ who can handle moderate action violence and enjoy puzzle-box plots. Younger kids might find the twists confusing or the death scene scary, while older teens may roll their eyes at the over-the-top reveals.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Heist thriller with Robin Hood-esque morality (stealing from corrupt banks, giving to audiences). Models teamwork among the Four Horsemen, but the FBI/Interpol characters show some antagonism and deception is celebrated as entertainment. Pacing is frenetic with constant twists. Some emotional manipulation and revenge themes undercut wholesome messaging.

Imaginative

High marks for creativity—blending stage magic with heist mechanics creates genuinely novel scenarios. The film invites viewers to question what's real vs. illusion, spot clues, and appreciate misdirection as an art form. Twist-heavy plot rewards active viewing and critical thinking about perspective and deception.

Safe

PG-13 territory with some violence (fistfights, car chases, a character appears to die in a safe dropped in a river), mild profanity, and brief romantic tension. No gore, nudity, or graphic content, but the death scene and some intense chase sequences could startle younger viewers. Common Sense Media rates it 13+, which aligns with moderate thriller content that's not shocking but not squeaky-clean either.

Enriching

Entertaining and clever, sparking interest in magic, sleight-of-hand, and critical observation. However, it glorifies law-breaking (even if targeting 'bad guys'), lacks deep character development, and prioritizes spectacle over meaningful themes. The 'wow factor' is high, but takeaways are mostly surface-level fun rather than substantive growth or ethical complexity.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Genuinely clever magic-meets-heist premise that keeps you guessing with twists and misdirection
Great conversation starter about perception, critical thinking, and how illusions work
Fast-paced and visually engaging—holds attention without being mindless
Robin Hood angle (stealing from corrupt banks, giving to the people) adds a moral wrinkle that teens can debate

⚠

What to Watch For

A character's apparent death in a river scene (later revealed as a trick, but still intense in the moment)
Celebrates law-breaking and deception as heroic—worth discussing the ethics of 'ends justify means'
Frenetic pacing and constant twists may overwhelm younger or more literal-minded kids
Some mild language and brief romantic subplots (nothing graphic, just PG-13 stuff)

Conversation Starters

"If you could pull off one magic trick from the movie, which would it be and why?"
"Do you think the Four Horsemen are heroes or criminals? What makes someone a 'good' thief?"
"How did the movie trick you? What clues did you miss or catch along the way?"
"Would you want to be a magician like them, or the detective trying to catch them?"

Ask Anything

Get a personalized guide on any topic