Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
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Screen for YOUR familyParent's Guide to Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is a 2016 fantasy adventure film, serving as a prequel and spin-off to the beloved Harry Potter series, set in 1920s New York City. The story follows eccentric British magizoologist Newt Scamander as his suitcase of magical creatures is inadvertently opened, unleashing several 'fantastic beasts' into the city. Alongside an American No-Maj (Muggle) named Jacob Kowalski and magical sisters Tina and Queenie Goldstein, Newt endeavors to recapture his creatures while also getting embroiled in a dangerous conflict involving a powerful dark force known as an Obscurus and the looming threat of the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald. The film explores themes of prejudice, conservation, and the discovery of one's place in the world, catering to a teenage and adult audience with its blend of whimsical magic and darker, more intense plotlines.
Things to Consider
Violence
The film contains frequent fantasy action violence, including magical duels, extensive property damage, and the destructive force of the Obscurus. Characters face implied child abuse, death sentences, and direct harm, with some visual depiction of consequences.
1. Credence Barebone is shown to be a victim of severe child abuse by his adoptive mother, Mary Lou Barebone, who whips and beats him. Scars and cuts are visible on Credence's hands. 2. The Obscurus, a powerful dark magical entity, causes widespread destruction and deaths in New York City, leaving victims looking withered and wrinkled. Newt Scamander and Tina Goldstein are sentenced to death by MACUSA, with a scene depicting an unsettling execution procedure.
Witchcraft & Occult
The film is deeply rooted in a fictional magical world, centrally featuring witchcraft, wizardry, and various supernatural elements. Characters utilize spells, wands, and magical creatures as fundamental aspects of the narrative.
Scary & Intense Content
The film contains significant scary and intense content, primarily driven by the destructive power of the Obscurus, magical confrontations, and themes of child abuse and persecution. These elements can be frightening and disturbing for younger viewers.
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Additional Context
Best For Ages
Parental Guidance Recommended for ages 13+. The film is rated PG-13 primarily due to fantasy action violence and several intense, scary scenes, including child abuse themes and widespread magical destruction. Younger children may be disturbed by the dark tone, frightening creatures, and themes of persecution and death. While containing humor and positive messages, the complexity and intensity of the narrative necessitate a more mature audience.
Good to Know
The film is the first in a planned five-part series, and parents should be aware that subsequent installments delve further into some of the darker and more complex themes introduced here, including more explicit depictions of violence and evolving LGBTQ+ representation. The movie's blend of fantasy and darker thematic elements, such as child abuse and radical extremism, may require discussion with younger viewers.
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