Now You See Me 2 ending explained: The Four Horsemen and the Eye’s fate decoded

Now You See Me 2 is an American heist thriller film directed by Jon M. Chu, which was released in June 2016. The film brings back the Four Horsemen, three of whom were introduced in the first chapter in 2013.

The official synopsis of the sequel, per IMDb, reads,

"The Four Horsemen resurface, and are forcibly recruited by a tech genius to pull off their most impossible heist yet."

Written by Ed Solomon, the script for the sequel follows the magicians more than a year after their initial run-in with the authorities. At the time, their elaborate magic trick was revealed to be orchestrated by FBI agent Dylan Rhodes. He returns as their handler for a new mission — an operation full of twists and turns, just as the first time.

The ending of Now You See Me 2 shows Dylan and the four horsemen seeking revenge against Chase, Walter, and Arthur with a successful trick. In the end, Thaddeus Bradley is revealed to be the mastermind behind the Eye, who has a special connection with Dylan's past. Let's unpack it along with the fate of the four horsemen.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers.

What exactly happens in Now You See Me 2?

J. Daniel Atlas (Jesse Eisenberg), Merritt McKinney (Woody Harrelson), and Jack Wilder (Dave Franco) were originally introduced as three magicians who were experts in their game. Dylan (Mark Ruffalo) hired them to steal from Arthur Tessler (Michael Caine), who was responsible for his father's death. Over 18 months later, the Horsemen face Arthur's match in his son.

Yet, we don't learn that until much later. Initially, we see Daniel, Merrit, and Jack still working for Dylan. This time, they are joined by Lula (Lizzy Caplan) instead of Henley (Isla Fisher). They try to expose the tech CEO, Owen Case (Ben Lamb), for allegedly stealing data from his customers. However, their plan fails because of Merrit's twin, Chase.

Chase works with Owen's ex-partner, Walter (Daniel Radcliffe). They abduct the four Horsemen for their mission to steal a chip from Owen. However, he has an ulterior motive. He wants to seek revenge against Dylan for stealing funds from his father, Arthur.

While sorting it all out, Dylan seeks help from Thaddeus (Morgan Freeman), whom he put behind bars in the previous mission. So, why a sudden change of heart? Do Dylan and Thaddeus have a different plan brewing in the background? The ending of Now You See Me 2 reveals the answer.

How does Now You See Me 2 end?

A still from Now You See Me 2 (Image via YouTube/Rotten Tomatoes Trailers)

Now You See Me 2 shows the four Horsemen trying their best to beat the odds and outwit Walter. Suffice it to say it's all a mess as they face another twist. Toward the end, Arthur brings Thaddeus back in the game to capture the four Horsemen. Little does he know that they are all in it together to expose him and his cronies.

By the end of Now You See Me 2, Dylan escapes Walter's custody and joins the Horsemen in London for a unique public performance. They stage their own flight from a private plane to broadcast footage about Arthur, Walter, and Chase, and to bring them to justice. The plot takes us back to the shadowy organisation, the Eye.

It was spearheaded by none other than Thaddeus himself. He was, in fact, Dylan's father's friend. So, at the end of the film, Thaddeus introduces Daniel, Merritt, Jack, and Lula to other members of the Eye, while announcing Dylan as his successor. The ending seemingly sets up the stage for another chapter in their lives under Dylan's supervision.