Answer
In Nightmare Alley (2021), Bradley Cooper played the role of Stanton Carlisle, a mentalist who is hired by a carnival boss, Clem Hoatley (Willem Dafoe), to perform a fake seance with Pete Krumbein (David Strathairn). Krumbein is a mentalist who has been working for the carnival for many years and is Hoatley's right-hand man. Carlisle uses his skills to learn Krumbein's secrets and eventually takes over his act.