Overview
A tale of magic and love unfolds in the shadows of Vienna's elite.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- mysterious
- melancholic
- romantic
- rainy evening
- date night
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film engrossing and well-crafted, praising its atmosphere, mystery, magic, and central performances while viewing it as generally favorable rather than uniformly exceptional.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Eisenheim's public performances become a direct challenge to Crown Prince Leopold's authority and political ambitions.
Eisenheim and Sophie resume their teenage love while her aristocratic engagement makes their relationship dangerous.
Late nineteenth-century Vienna, stage performances, and shadowy interiors are presented through an atmospheric, muted visual style.
Eisenheim's performances convince many observers that he possesses genuine supernatural powers, while the story sustains uncertainty around the spectacle.
Films like The Illusionist, and why
The Prestige
period romance, elaborate illusionism, political intrigue, and a mysterious rivalry between performers
The Devil's Backbone
romantic fantasy mystery, turn-of-the-century atmosphere, and tension between magic and authoritarian power
Crimson Peak
ornate historical setting, doomed romance, melodramatic intrigue, and visually atmospheric supernatural ambiguity
Movie Details
- Director
- Neil Burger
- Release Date
- 2006-08-18
- Runtime
- 110 min
- Rating
- 7.3 / 10 (5501)
Cast
- Edward Norton
- Paul Giamatti
- Jessica Biel
- Rufus Sewell
- Eddie Marsan
- Aaron Taylor-Johnson
- Eleanor Tomlinson
- Jake Wood
- Tom Fisher
- Karl Johnson
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Philo, AMC Plus Apple TV channel, AMC+, Sundance Now, FlixFling, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Howdy Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home, FlixFling
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Illusionist about?
- A gifted illusionist turns his impossible performances into a dangerous weapon for reclaiming a lost love and defying an ambitious imperial prince.
- What is The Illusionist like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Illusionist as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Illusionist violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in The Illusionist as mild.
- What did critics think of The Illusionist?
- Critics broadly found the film engrossing and well-crafted, praising its atmosphere, mystery, magic, and central performances while viewing it as generally favorable rather than uniformly exceptional.
- Which films are like The Illusionist?
- Films with a similar feel include The Prestige, The Devil's Backbone, and Crimson Peak.
- How long is The Illusionist?
- The Illusionist runs 110 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Illusionist?
- In United States, The Illusionist streams on Amazon Prime Video, Philo, AMC Plus Apple TV channel, AMC+, Sundance Now, FlixFling, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Howdy Amazon Channel.
