“Now You See Me” is a thrilling film that delighted audiences with its surprising twists and intricate narrative. Starring Jesse Eisenberg and Woody Harrelson, the story follows four talented magicians who pull off elaborate heists under the guise of magic tricks. Their audacious stunts break the law but also make them public figures, fueling a nationwide hunt led by Officer Rhodes. However, the story has more layers than initially apparent, with hidden motives and complex twists driving the plot.
Now You See Me Ending Explained
Now You See Me (Image via Getty)
The film is built on the theme of misdirection, much like the magic tricks it showcases. The audience is kept on edge, never knowing what to expect next. Throughout the movie, the plot’s tiny details and subplots are easy to overlook. Yet, on a second viewing, they become crucial to understanding the true meaning behind the film. These hidden pieces of truth beneath the fiction ultimately explain the real significance of the story and its characters.
Officer Rhodes and the Incredible Twist
A key element of the film’s narrative is Officer Rhodes, the character who initially appears to be the antagonist trying to bring the Four Horsemen to justice. As the investigation progresses, it becomes evident that Rhodes is playing a deeper game. The twist reveals that Rhodes is the son of Lionel Shrike, a disgraced magician whose death in a failed escape trick was orchestrated by several people involved in magic and deception.
Rhodes’ motive becomes clear: he seeks revenge for his father’s death. Shrike’s tragic demise, caused by a faulty safe during an escape trick, serves as the catalyst for Rhodes’ plan. Rhodes harbors resentment not only toward the individuals who caused his father’s death, such as Thaddeus Bradley but also toward the companies that profited from it, like Elkhorn Security and Tressler Insurance. His desire for vengeance is complex and serves as the driving force behind the formation of the Four Horsemen.
The Eye: A Secret Society of Magicians
The concept of The Eye, a secret society of magicians, is another central theme in “Now You See Me.” The Eye is portrayed as an organization that seeks to use its magical talents to fight against greed and oppression, targeting wealthy corporations that exploit people for profit. The members of The Eye, including Rhodes and the Horsemen, adopt a “steal from the rich, give to the poor” mentality. This ideology aligns with the actions of the Four Horsemen, whose heists are meant to right the wrongs caused by these corporations.
Rhodes (Image via Getty)
Rhodes Joins The Eye and Uses the Horsemen
In the film’s climactic moments, the character of Rhodes is revealed to be a member of The Eye. This secret society has provided him with the resources and support necessary to execute his elaborate revenge plan. The Eye’s values coincide perfectly with Rhodes’ motives, as he aims to bring down the corrupt corporations that were responsible for his father’s death. Through The Eye, Rhodes gains the power to manipulate the situation and use the Horsemen to fulfill his mission.
Jack Wilder’s Fake Death
One of the most surprising twists involves Jack Wilder, one of the Four Horsemen. Early in the film, Wilder appears to meet a tragic end in a car accident. However, it is later revealed that this was a carefully orchestrated ruse. Jack faked his death to work in the shadows and further Rhodes’ plan. By disappearing from the scene, Jack was able to slip under the radar of the FBI and continue his work undetected.
The method of Jack’s “death” is a brilliant piece of misdirection. It’s suggested that the Horsemen used a decoy vehicle and a stolen cadaver from the morgue to make it appear as though Jack had died. This sleight of hand allowed Jack to infiltrate Elkhorn Security and plant the money in Thaddeus Bradley’s car, setting the stage for Bradley’s arrest and Rhodes’ ultimate revenge. Jack’s survival, kept hidden from both the audience and the authorities, is one of the film’s most impressive tricks.
The True Meaning of “Now You See Me”
On a broader level, the ending of “Now You See Me” showcases the power of misdirection. The film’s structure and narrative intentionally mislead the audience, making it difficult to predict the twists that lie ahead. This technique mirrors the magic tricks performed by the Horsemen throughout the film, blurring the lines between fiction and reality. The film’s narrative is a masterclass in how to use misdirection not only to deceive characters but also to challenge the audience’s expectations.
Jack Wilder (Image via Getty)
Themes of Greed and Exploitation
The film also explores deeper themes of corporate greed and exploitation. The Four Horsemen’s heists serve as a form of revenge against the companies and individuals who profited from the suffering of others. Through these acts, the movie critiques the excesses of capitalist society, exposing the moral bankruptcy of those who benefit at the expense of others. Rhodes and the Horsemen use their talents not for personal gain but to make a statement about the injustices in the world.
The ending sets the stage for potential future installments in the “Now You See Me” franchise. By introducing the concept of The Eye, the film opens up new possibilities for exploring secret societies, magic, and revenge. The twist not only redefines the dynamic between the characters but also leaves room for further exploration of The Eye and its broader influence on magic.
The ending
“Now You See Me 2” builds on the foundation laid by the first film, continuing the story of Rhodes and the Horsemen while going deeper into The Eye’s workings. By the end of the sequel, Rhodes assumes the role of the grandmaster of The Eye, further expanding the narrative and hinting at the potential for more stories centered around this secret society. The future of the franchise looks promising, with “Now You See Me 3” poised to delve even further into the mysteries of The Eye and its members.
“Now You See Me” is a film that uses misdirection both in its story and its structure, challenging audiences to question what they think they know. Its ending is a testament to the power of surprise and the art of deception. Through its exploration of greed, revenge, and the secret of magic, the film leaves a lasting impression and sets the stage for an exciting future in the franchise.
Marvel’s Eternals delivers a massive cliffhanger that leaves many characters’ fates uncertain and teases future plotlines for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Directed by Chloé Zhao, Eternals is the third movie in Phase 4 and arguably the most ambitious. It introduces the Eternals, 10 superhuman beings created by the Celestials. Central to the story are Sersi (Gemma Chan) and Ikaris (Richard Madden), whose roles carry the narrative forward. The film begins by showing the Eternals’ arrival on Earth more than 7,000 years ago, with the story building toward an intense cliffhanger ending.
Eternals Ending Explained
The plot focuses on the Eternals’ return in the present day after learning that the Deviants—beasts created by the Celestials—are still alive on Earth. This revelation coincides with the impending apocalyptic event known as The Emergence. The film’s conclusion uncovers that The Emergence is part of the Celestials’ larger plan. For millennia, a new Celestial has been growing inside Earth, waiting for the planet’s population to grow large enough to fuel its birth. This surprising twist comes as a surprise to most of the Eternals, as Ajak (Salma Hayek) had kept their true mission secret, except from Ikaris. Sersi, Ikaris, and Sprite (Lia McHugh) travel across the world to bring the group together for the first time in nearly 2,000 years, leading to the revelation of their true purpose and Ikaris’ stunning betrayal.
Ikaris (Image via Getty)
This revelation sets the stage for a massive conclusion in Eternals . The Eternals are divided as Sersi pleads with the team to help prevent The Emergence and save humanity. However, Ikaris is ready to let Earth be destroyed so that the Celestials can create new planets and civilizations. Kingo (Kumail Nanjiani) remains neutral, while Gilgamesh (Don Lee) is already dead. This leaves Sersi, Thena (Angelina Jolie), Phastos (Brian Tyree Henry), Druig (Barry Keoghan), and Makkari (Lauren Ridloff) to stop The Emergence and deal with Ikaris and Sprite. Ultimately, the team succeeds in saving humanity, but the aftermath leaves several major cliffhangers and hints at future developments in the MCU.
Ikaris: Is He Dead?
The cliffhanger ending raises the question: Is Ikaris truly dead? After realizing he can’t kill Sersi to stop her from preventing Tiamut’s emergence, Ikaris flies into space, heading directly toward the sun. The movie cuts before showing his death, leaving his fate ambiguous. The other Eternals believe Ikaris is dead, as Kingo remarks on the tragic outcome, but they cannot know for sure. The Eternals couldn’t sense Ajak’s death, so it’s unlikely they would be able to sense Ikaris’ fate either. However, since Sersi is now the Prime Eternal, she may have a stronger connection to the others, allowing her to sense Ikaris’ death.
Ikaris’ flight toward the sun is a clear reference to the Greek myth of Icarus, a story invented by Sprite in the movie. While this mythological connection makes sense, Marvel deliberately leaves Ikaris’ fate unclear, allowing room for future storytelling. It’s possible Ikaris died, or he could have survived somehow—perhaps through his powers, or even due to Arishem’s interference. For now, it’s reasonable to assume that Ikaris is dead, but Marvel could bring him back in future films.
Eternals (Image via Getty)
The Divided Team: Where Do the Eternals Stand?
After the Eternals defy Arishem and save humanity, the group is divided by the end of the film. Makkari, Druig, and Thena leave Earth on the Domo spaceship, determined to search the galaxy for other Eternals and reveal the truth about the Celestials’ plan. The post-credits scene shows their efforts taking weeks before they encounter any new Eternals.
The remaining members of the group stay on Earth. Sersi returns to London, Kingo agrees to raise Sprite, and Phastos moves to Ajak’s ranch with his family. However, this peaceful moment is disrupted when Arishem appears, taking Sersi, Phastos, and Kingo with him. Sprite is left behind, no longer an Eternal, to grow up on her own with Kingo’s people. Gilgamesh and Ajak remain dead, and Ikaris’ fate remains uncertain.
Arishem’s Judgment and the Eternals’ Fate
When Arishem arrives at the film’s finale, he informs Sersi, Phastos, and Kingo that he’s taking them with him to examine their memories. Arishem is angry that they defied his orders by preventing Tiamut’s emergence and wants to assess whether their actions were justified. The World Forge, where Arishem created the Eternals and new planets, is likely where they are headed. Arishem intends to study the Eternals’ memories to decide if humanity’s survival was the right choice. If he disagrees with their decision, he threatens to return to Earth and judge the planet accordingly.
The Ebony Blade and Black Knight: Setting Up Future Stories
In Eternals’ post-credits scene, the future of Dane Whitman (Kit Harington) in the MCU is teased. Although he had a minor role in the movie, the post-credits scene shows Dane acquiring the Ebony Blade after Sersi mysteriously vanishes. Dane’s family history has been alluded to, and now, he’s planning to use the power of the Ebony Blade to potentially rescue Sersi. However, just as he’s about to wield the sword, a voice interrupts him—none other than Blade (Mahershala Ali), who asks if Dane is ready to take on the mantle of Black Knight.
Ebony Blade (Image via Getty)
The Ebony Blade is a powerful and dangerous artifact that grants its wielder extraordinary abilities, such as cutting through almost anything, deflecting magical attacks, and teleportation. However, it also carries a curse: those who wield the blade may become corrupted and turn into cold-blooded murderers. This sets the stage for Dane Whitman’s transformation into the Black Knight, though how he will deal with the blade’s power remains to be seen. It’s unclear when or where Dane will appear again, but the Blade connection suggests a future collaboration with the character in upcoming MCU projects, such as Blade or Eternals 2 .
The Ebony Blade: A Powerful Artifact with a Dark History
The Ebony Blade, wielded by Dane Whitman, is a mysterious and powerful weapon with deep ties to the Black Knight character. Forged by Merlin and Sir Percival from the Starstone meteorite, the blade is enchanted to cut through any material and even deflect magical attacks. Its wielder has a unique bond with the sword, but the blade’s power comes at a cost. If used maliciously, it corrupts its users, turning them into a bloodthirsty killer. As Dane Whitman begins his journey with the Ebony Blade, it’s unclear how he will navigate the weapon’s dark history.
