When Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them was announced, anticipation among Harry Potter fans was palpable. The film, written by J.K. Rowling herself, was set to explore the wizarding world decades before Harry’s time, focusing on Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne), the magizoologist responsible for compiling the eponymous book that many of us are familiar with from the Harry Potter series. With the promise of expanding the beloved universe, the film had the potential to be a thrilling addition to the magical world, but the result is a mixed bag—one that offers a whimsical adventure and stunning visuals but ultimately struggles with pacing issues, character development, and an unclear narrative direction.
The Plot: A World of Magic, Mysterious Creatures, and Dark Forces
Set in 1926, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them follows Newt Scamander, a quirky, socially awkward magizoologist who arrives in New York City with a magical suitcase full of extraordinary creatures. After a series of mishaps involving the creatures escaping from his suitcase, Newt’s journey intertwines with the lives of several other characters, including Tina Goldstein (Katherine Waterston), a former Auror; her sister Queenie (Alison Sudol), a legilimens; and Jacob Kowalski (Dan Fogler), a No-Maj (the American term for Muggle), who accidentally becomes embroiled in the magical events.
Newt and his companions soon find themselves entangled in a darker mystery involving the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald, whose rise to power threatens both the magical and non-magical worlds. However, the true heart of the story is Newt’s attempts to track down a mysterious and dangerous magical creature, the Obscurus, which is connected to a troubled young boy, Credence Barebone (Ezra Miller). As the plot unfolds, we’re introduced to several factions and characters, including the American wizarding authorities, the magical creatures, and the political tensions between wizards and No-Majs.
At its core, Fantastic Beasts is about the discovery of magic, the deep connection between magical creatures and wizards, and the struggles against dark forces that threaten to disrupt the balance of the world. However, the plot becomes convoluted at times, shifting between different character arcs and setting up an overarching conflict that only begins to truly unfold toward the end. The film has elements of a creature-centered adventure, but it also tries to lay the groundwork for a much larger, darker narrative about Grindelwald’s rise to power, which sometimes feels a bit forced and lacking in coherence.
The Characters: New Faces in the Wizarding World
The central figure in Fantastic Beasts is, of course, Newt Scamander. Eddie Redmayne’s portrayal of Newt is charming and endearing, but also somewhat eccentric and awkward. He plays the role of the passionate, animal-loving magizoologist with a reserved personality and a peculiar fondness for his magical creatures. Redmayne’s gentle performance brings warmth to the character, but at times, it feels like Newt’s characterization is more focused on being quirky than fully developing as a complex individual. His interactions with his creatures, which range from playful to deeply emotional, provide some of the film’s most touching moments, but the character’s development beyond his love of animals feels underexplored.
Katherine Waterston’s Tina Goldstein is an effective foil to Newt, and she brings a sense of strength and determination to the role. Tina’s backstory, which involves a fall from grace within the magical authorities, provides her with a sense of personal conflict that could have been explored more deeply. However, Tina’s character often feels like she is sidelined in favor of Newt’s narrative, making her arc feel secondary and less impactful than it could have been. Similarly, Alison Sudol’s Queenie is charming as the bubbly, empathetic legilimens, but she is mostly a supporting character whose depth isn’t fully realized. Her relationship with Jacob adds a touch of romantic interest, but it doesn’t bring much emotional weight to the story.
Dan Fogler’s portrayal of Jacob Kowalski, the lovable No-Maj, is perhaps the film’s standout performance. Jacob provides much-needed comic relief but also brings a heartwarming sincerity to the film, particularly as his character becomes more intertwined with the magical world. His reactions to discovering the existence of magic are genuine and relatable, which makes his eventual bond with the magical community especially touching.
Ezra Miller’s portrayal of Credence Barebone, the troubled young man who is central to the film’s darker plotline, is compelling but confusing. The character’s arc is essential to the overall story, but his motivations and inner turmoil aren’t always clear. The film does little to explain the psychological aspects of Credence’s struggles, and his character’s evolution feels rushed and ultimately underdeveloped.
The villains of the film, particularly the shadowy figures representing dark forces within the wizarding world, are more intriguing as potential threats than they are as fleshed-out characters. The presence of Grindelwald (who is only briefly mentioned) sets the stage for future installments, but the film doesn’t dive deep enough into his influence or the political landscape of the magical world.
The Visuals: A Magical Wonderland
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is undeniably a visually stunning film. The special effects are top-notch, particularly when it comes to the magical creatures that Newt brings with him. From the adorable and mischievous Niffler to the majestic Thunderbird, the creatures feel like an essential part of the film’s charm. Each creature is brought to life with rich detail, thanks to impressive CGI work, and their interactions with the characters are seamlessly integrated into the story.
The film also boasts beautiful production design, with a lush recreation of 1920s New York City that feels alive with magic and wonder. The visual world-building is immersive, as it introduces viewers to a version of the wizarding world that feels fresh and distinct from the one seen in the Harry Potter series. The bustling streets of New York, with hidden magical elements, are a joy to explore. The period setting is also enhanced by the costumes, which capture the essence of the time, while still allowing for the magic to shine through.
However, the visual effects sometimes feel like they are compensating for a lack of narrative depth. There are moments where the dazzling spectacle of the creatures and the magical world is distracting, pulling attention away from the emotional beats and plot developments that should take center stage.
The Direction: A Mixed Bag of Adventure and Confusion
David Yates, known for directing the final four films of the Harry Potter series, returns to direct Fantastic Beasts with his signature style of dark, atmospheric storytelling. Yates is skilled at creating a world that feels both wondrous and dangerous, but Fantastic Beasts doesn’t always hit the mark. The film struggles with pacing—while the first half is full of charm, exploration, and lighthearted adventure, the second half becomes bogged down by an overly complicated plot, rapid shifts in tone, and a series of twists that don’t feel entirely earned.
J.K. Rowling’s script, her first foray into screenwriting, offers a rich tapestry of magical lore, but it sometimes feels like the weight of establishing a new mythology and setting up future films takes priority over crafting a focused, cohesive story. The film introduces a lot of elements—such as the Obscurus and Credence’s mysterious past—that are only partially explored, leaving the audience with more questions than answers by the time the credits roll.
The Verdict: A Magical Beginning, but an Uncertain Future
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is a charming and visually enchanting film that offers a fresh perspective on the wizarding world, but it falters in terms of pacing, character development, and narrative clarity. While it succeeds in introducing new magical creatures and expanding the scope of the magical universe, the story sometimes feels like a setup for future installments rather than a fully realized narrative in its own right.
The film is not without its magic, both in terms of spectacle and heart, but it leaves viewers with a sense of ambiguity about where the series is headed. The cast delivers strong performances, particularly Eddie Redmayne and Dan Fogler, and the world-building is as rich as ever, but the plot feels uneven and underdeveloped, lacking the emotional depth and narrative satisfaction that fans of the Harry Potter series have come to expect.
As the first chapter in what is set to be a five-part saga, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them lays the groundwork for something bigger, but it’s unclear whether future installments will provide the clarity and cohesion that this opening film lacks. For fans of the magical world, Fantastic Beasts is still an enjoyable ride, but it’s one that leaves more questions than answers, and it’s a journey that may not feel as fulfilling until the next pieces of the puzzle fall into place.
