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***Spoilers ahead***
I went to watch Now You See Me: Now You Don’t the other day, mostly because I wanted two hours of switch-off-your-brain fun. I wasn’t expecting any deep reflections – just some flashy illusions, a plot that probably wasn’t going to survive close inspection and a deep satisfaction that they finally got the movie title right. Perfect.
But I came out of the theatre with more than what I bargained for. Somewhere between the card tricks and the chaotic chase scenes, the film introduces this new generation of magicians. The three new horsemen are younger, bolder and not afraid to outthink those who taught them everything they know in the first place.
Hmm. This sounds awfully familiar.
New people bring new magic
Early careers talent is stepping into the job market with the same kind of fearless confidence. They bring new questions, new ideas and new ways of working to the table. And that’s what makes them such an important part of the workforce.
But, much like in the movie, their integration into the team isn’t always as smooth sailing as it is on paper. When faced with an intricate locking mechanism on the French estate’s door, the two groups of magicians disagree on how to unlock it. The older horsemen instinctively look at Jack Wilder, Dave Franco’s character, to use his trusty lock-picking skills. The newer cohort, on the other hand, looks to Greenblatt’s June, who relies on her problem-solving skills instead of a steady toolkit.
It’s a perfect snapshot of what happens in real workplaces. Experience leans on what has worked reliably for years; new talent leans on what could work now. And while that tension can feel uncomfortable, it’s actually where the magic happens. Not only do you often get outcomes you wouldn’t have reached alone, but you also end up learning a thing or two from each other. Franco’s character giving up his old ways at the end of the film reinforces this point.
Never underestimate the newbies
And if the big reveal of the film makes one thing clear, it’s this: you really can’t underestimate the new generation. While we’re busy assuming the new Horsemen are still learning the ropes, the most unassuming of them all turns out to be the mastermind behind the entire heist. It’s a classic Now You See Me move – hide the power in plain sight and let everyone realise a little too late that they misread the situation entirely.
It’s such a good reminder of how easily we can misread people, especially those who are just starting out. Early-career talent often has ideas and instincts that don’t show up on a CV. But if you give them the right environment, a bit of trust, and the freedom to try things their way, they will make sure you walk away feeling like your investment in them was worth it.
