Film of the Day: "The Illusionist" — A Movie with an Ending You'll Want to Watch Again

It was released in the same year as Christopher Nolan's "The Prestige" — and ever since, these two films have been consistently compared.

But "The Illusionist" (2006) by Neil Burger isn't just about tricks, mystery, and stagecraft. This is a story about love, dignity, and how beautifully you can disappear when you're willing to risk everything.

Vienna, turn of the century. The mysterious illusionist Eisenheim (played by the magnificent Edward Norton) captivates audiences with performances that border on the supernatural: with a single gesture, he can summon the spirit of the dead.

When Duchess Sophie (Jessica Biel) appears in the audience, it becomes clear this isn't just a chance encounter. Turns out, they have a history — they once loved each other. And now those feelings ignite again.
Actor Edward Norton in an old-fashioned black suit stands with a glowing orb in his hand
Frame and poster from "The Illusionist"
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But standing in their way isn't just class difference — there's also the jealous Crown Prince Leopold (Rufus Sewell), and behind him, a persistent inspector played by Paul Giamatti, who's determined to uncover the secrets behind the illusionist's impossible tricks.

The film slowly reveals its hand: at first it feels like a period drama, then shifts into thriller territory, and finally becomes a detective story with a twist so clever that even seasoned viewers will gasp: "It was all right there in front of us..."

What makes "The Illusionist" special?
  • Atmosphere: warm sepia tones, candlelight, shadows, and mystery
  • Philip Glass's score — one of the film's greatest assets
  • And of course, the ending that makes you want to rewatch everything you just saw
The film boasts impressive ratings: IMDb gives it 7.5, Rotten Tomatoes shows 73% from critics and 83% from audiences. Not an absolute triumph, but well-deserved status as a "little classic" with a touch of magic.

If you love movies where the tricks have soul, not just spectacle — definitely revisit or discover "The Illusionist." Here, magic isn't deception. It's the plan. Earlier on zoomboola.com, we covered "The Fly" — when a human transforms into something you can hardly call human anymore.