In Victorian London at the turn of the century, where magicians are idols, two young but very different magicians set out to carve their own paths to fame. Robert Angier is a consummate entertainer - flashy, sophisticated and a true showman - while Alfred Borden is a rough-edged creative purist who lacks the panache to showcase his tricks. As friends and partners they provide the perfect combination but when one of their tricks goes terribly wrong, friends become enemies and an escalating battle of one-upmanship begins, with ever increasing peril to those around them.