Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald is the second installment in the Fantastic Beasts film series, serving as a prequel to the popular Harry Potter universe. Set in 1927, the film follows magizoologist Newt Scamander as he is enlisted by Albus Dumbledore to thwart the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald's plans for wizarding supremacy. The movie delves into complex backstories and relationships within the Wizarding World, exploring themes of loyalty, family, and the fight against rising dark forces. With a darker tone than its predecessor, it features extensive magical action and introduces new fantastical creatures. The film is targeted at an older audience due to its intense themes and intricate plot, building upon established lore for fans of the wider Wizarding World franchise.
Concerns
Violence
HighThe film contains significant magical violence, including lethal spells, destructive battles, and several implied and on-screen deaths. Grindelwald's actions are ruthless, demonstrating his willingness to use deadly force to achieve his goals. The intensity of the fantasy action is higher than in the previous installment, contributing to the film's darker tone.
1. Grindelwald orchestrates a violent escape from MACUSA in a flying carriage, where he and his followers kill Aurors during the intense sequence. 2. At the Lestrange Mausoleum rally, Grindelwald conjures a destructive ring of blue fire that consumes and kills numerous retreating Aurors, turning them to ash. Leta Lestrange also sacrifices herself by walking into this deadly fire.
Witchcraft & Occult
HighWitchcraft and occult themes are fundamental to the film, as it is set within the magical Wizarding World. Extensive use of magic, spells, and dark arts is central to the plot, particularly through the actions of Grindelwald and his followers. Concepts like blood pacts, dark curses, and magical creatures are prevalent throughout the narrative.
1. Grindelwald employs powerful dark magic, such as conjuring a deadly ring of blue fire at the Lestrange Mausoleum, which burns those who are not truly aligned with him. 2. The existence of a blood pact between Albus Dumbledore and Gellert Grindelwald, magically preventing them from harming each other, is a central plot device, highlighting ancient and powerful magical bonds.
Scary & Intense Content
HighThe movie contains frequent scary and intense sequences, contributing to its darker tone. These include menacing magical creatures, implied and explicit deaths, and a persistent sense of threat from Grindelwald's extremist ideology. Certain scenes, such as mass destruction and a character's tragic backstory, may be frightening for younger viewers.
1. Grindelwald’s escape from MACUSA features dangerous creatures and intense action, including a Thestral-pulled carriage sequence that is suspenseful and leads to deaths. 2. The climactic rally where Grindelwald unleashes a devastating blue fire is highly intense, with multiple characters facing mortal danger and some being incinerated. Leta Lestrange's sacrifice in the fire is a particularly grim moment.
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
MediumThe film strongly implies a past romantic and sexual relationship between Albus Dumbledore and Gellert Grindelwald, as confirmed by author J.K. Rowling. While not explicitly depicted in the film, Dumbledore's feelings are conveyed through magical means and dialogue. There are no explicit transgender or nonbinary characters or themes within the movie's narrative. The portrayal received mixed reactions from fans regarding its explicitness.
1. Albus Dumbledore looks into the Mirror of Erised, which reflects his deepest desires, and sees a young Gellert Grindelwald and their blood pact. This visually confirms his enduring affection and connection to Grindelwald. 2. Dumbledore tells Ministry officials, 'We were closer than brothers,' referring to his profound past relationship with Grindelwald, a line that subtly acknowledges their romantic history without explicit detail.
Romance and Sexual Content
MediumRomantic subplots are present, including the developing relationship between Newt and Tina. A key plot point involves Queenie Goldstein magically enchanting Jacob Kowalski to force him into marriage, which raises ethical concerns regarding consent. J.K. Rowling has confirmed the intense and passionate, even sexual, romantic history between Dumbledore and Grindelwald, although this is only implicitly shown in the film through Dumbledore's lingering feelings.
1. Queenie Goldstein uses a love enchantment on Jacob Kowalski to compel him to marry her, seeking to circumvent American wizarding laws prohibiting relationships between magical and non-magical individuals. 2. Newt Scamander attempts to flirt with Tina Goldstein by observing her eyes and comparing them to a salamander, noting they are like 'fire in water,' indicating a burgeoning romantic interest.
Disrespect & Rebellion
MediumRebellion is a central theme, as Grindelwald actively promotes defiance against established wizarding laws and aims to overturn the International Statute of Secrecy, advocating for wizarding dominion over non-magical people. Protagonist Albus Dumbledore also encourages Newt Scamander to act outside official Ministry of Magic directives.
1. Gellert Grindelwald's entire agenda is built on rebellion against the current wizarding world order, as he seeks to abolish the Statute of Secrecy and establish wizarding rule over Muggles. 2. Albus Dumbledore recruits Newt Scamander to secretly work against the Ministry of Magic's attempts to stop Grindelwald, instructing Newt to operate outside official governmental channels.
Profanity
LowThe film features very minimal profanity. Parental reviews generally note a lack of strong language, with one source mentioning a single 'h' obscenity. The dialogue remains largely clean and suitable for its PG-13 rating.
1. Parent Previews indicates a 'Profanity A' grade, suggesting very mild or absent profanity. 2. Movieguide mentions 'One “h” obscenity' but otherwise describes the language as clean.
Substance Use
LowThe film includes brief and casual depictions of adult characters consuming alcohol. There is no portrayal of drug use, smoking, or excessive alcohol consumption leading to intoxication or addiction as a plot point.
1. Adults are shown casually drinking beer in some scenes. 2. Characters are seen 'quaffing what may be wine,' implying social drinking without emphasis on intoxication.
Anti-Christian Themes
LowThe film operates within a fictional magical universe and does not contain explicit anti-Christian themes, mockery of Christian beliefs, or sacrilegious acts. The magic presented is fantasy-based and intrinsic to the created world, without direct opposition to or commentary on real-world religions.
1. The narrative is entirely contained within the 'Wizarding World,' where magic is an inherent natural force and societal structure, rather than a system in conflict with real-world religious doctrines. 2. The primary ideological conflict is between magical supremacy (Grindelwald's view) and peaceful coexistence (Dumbledore's/Newt's view), not between magic and any specific religious faith.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
PG-13. The MPAA rated the film PG-13 for 'some sequences of fantasy action.' Due to its darker tone, intense magical violence, several character deaths (some implied), and complex themes, it is best suited for viewers aged 13 and older, or 12 with strong parental guidance.
Additional Notes
The film is notably darker and more complex than the first Fantastic Beasts movie, focusing more on political intrigue and the looming global conflict. Parents should be aware of the film's density of plotlines and characters, which some critics found overwhelming. The implied violence against a baby and children's deaths in Leta Lestrange's backstory could be particularly disturbing.
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