Magic in the Moonlight

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Magic in the Moonlight

PG-13

2014

1h 37m

Romance

Comedy

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

53%

Tomatometer

189 Reviews

45%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

In the 1920s, magician Stanley Crawford enjoys widespread acclaim as Chinese conjurer Wei Ling Soo, his stage persona. As arrogant as he is talented, Stanley despises claims by phony spiritualists that they can perform real magic. At the behest of his friend, Stanley travels to the Côte d'Azur mansion of the Catledge family to expose a young medium named Sophie. However, Stanley is left surprised and shaken by evidence that Sophie's gifts may be real.

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Critics Consensus

While far from a failure, Magic in the Moonlight is too slight to stand with Woody Allen's finest work.

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Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

Sep 2, 2017

D+

The prolific filmmaker follows up last year's fantastic Blue Jasmine with a lackluster movie that's unfortunately not as enchanting as it sounds.

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David Sims

The Atlantic

Sep 22, 2016

No kind of chemistry between the two ever arises, making their eventual romance, arrived at through pages of halting dialogue, feel particularly awkward.

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Kate Muir

The Times (UK)

Sep 23, 2014

2/5

A rather lovely cast, including Colin Firth and Emma Stone, is wasted on a story so old-fashioned and repetitive that it feels like Oscar Wilde with a wit lobotomy.

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Matt Oakes

Silver Screen Riot

5 days ago

B

Though Woody slips towards something far more muted and monochromatic in the third act, the beginning is so full of magic that you can almost let it slide. Almost.

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Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

Jul 20, 2025

4/5

With dialogue dashing back and forth from sprite and coy to acidic and comedic, the clash between the spiritual and logical lead characters makes for excellent banter and breezy chemistry.

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JD Duran

InSession Film

Aug 19, 2024

B

Magic in the Moonlight had some potential but gets lost in the middle and was never able to fully recover. Despite those scripting issues, the camera work is impeccable and the performances are endearing.

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Christina D.

@NinaNinaBobina May 17, 2026

Great actors, just not great story.

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Nathan Y.

@NathanYatesDouglass Apr 25, 2026

Not even Emma Stone could save this boring dud. Zero chemistry between any of the actors on screen. An extremely predictable plot. The visuals are nice, lovely setting and period, but that’s all it has going for it.

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Henry D

@Henry_Domke Mar 22, 2026

A graceful, light-footed comedy that never tries too hard and ends up being all the more enjoyable for it. Emma Stone is a standout, warm, quick, and completely engaging, and she plays beautifully off Colin Firth’s tightly wound rationalist. The Riviera settings, period cars, and elegant costumes are a constant visual pleasure, giving the film a polished, sunlit charm. Lorna said it best: "Totally fun and playful."

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VITALII H

@freakynickison Nov 29, 2025

Colin Firth, who btw is such a Mark Darcy in this movie, plays a magician named Stanley that performs as the Chinese illusionist Wei Ling Soo (yes, it doesn’t get more 1928 than this) was invited by his fellow performer to debunk one medium named Sophie, something that he often does due to his superstitious nature. Eventually he finds himself being in love with her as he gets to spend time with the medium that seems really legit. Of course it’s not that simple, we get a big reveal at the end but it all was very plain, predictable and honestly boring. There wasn’t enough drama, campiness or excitement, it wasn’t even funny and that was supposed to be a comedy. This movie feels unfinished and rushed.

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Pradeep S

@RT43922639 Aug 30, 2024

Nice entertaining romantic comedy with some sharp dialogue, never a dull moment.

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Bahad j

@RT27093708 Jul 17, 2024

This idea of the filmmaker made the movie more accessible to more people.

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Synopsis

In the 1920s, magician Stanley Crawford enjoys widespread acclaim as Chinese conjurer Wei Ling Soo, his stage persona. As arrogant as he is talented, Stanley despises claims by phony spiritualists that they can perform real magic. At the behest of his friend, Stanley travels to the Côte d'Azur mansion of the Catledge family to expose a young medium named Sophie. However, Stanley is left surprised and shaken by evidence that Sophie's gifts may be real.

Director: Woody Allen
Producer: Letty Aronson, Stephen Tenenbaum, Edward Walson
Screenwriter: Woody Allen
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co: Perdido Productions, Ske-Dat-De-Dat Productions, Dippermouth
Rating: PG-13 (Smoking Throughout|A Brief Suggestive Comment)
Genre: Romance, Comedy, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 25, 2014, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 2, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $10.5M
Runtime: 1h 37m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

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