It’s incongruous to call a Fantastic Beasts movie great, but here we are. After two so-so instalments, the Harry Potter prequel series has taken new shape with a surprisingly coherent third chapter. Where The Crimes of Grindelwald was clunky, dense, and unfocused, this third movie is actually taut, fun, and emotionally complex. It’s the longest Fantastic Beasts entry so far, but it justifies its existence with propulsive, evocative storytelling that neither of its predecessors possessed.
The Secrets of Dumbledore focuses on exploring new ideas rather than trying to explain old ones. J.K. Rowling has dedicated too much of the Fantastic Beasts franchise to answering questions no one is asking. The result is a set of prequels that feel too supplemental, too commercial, and too safe. Nagini’s return is perhaps the clearest example. Her inclusion in The Crimes of Grindelwald was contrived and heavy-handed, so much so that the filmmakers couldn’t justify bringing her back. And so she’s absent here, despite her prominence in the previous film.
Plot-wise, The Secrets of Dumbledore is mercifully straightforward. Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne), along with Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law), Jacob Kowalski (Dan Fogler), Professor Eulalie “Lally” Hicks (Jessica Williams), and a handful of others, embark on a secret mission to thwart the formidable Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald (Mads Mikkelsen), who’s now the top candidate in a wizarding election that could give him a terrifying amount of control.
Redmayne endears himself further as the awkward Newt Scamander, the magizoologist with a heart of gold and the courage to oppose Grindelwald. But while Newt can’t match the dastardly Dark wizard in strength or skill, his cleverness, kindness, and love for others make him a lovable foil for the power-hungry villain. Redmayne sells the character’s quirkiness with aplomb; from putting his shy spin on a rousing pep talk to fumbling his way through a brief interaction with Tina (Katherine Waterston), Redmayne imbues Newt with the relentless likability that has helped make the character such a valuable part of these stories.
Everything about The Secrets of Dumbledore feels dialled up and dialled in. Unlike its immediate predecessor, this new instalment emphasises the heart, humour, and keen wisdom that helped make the Harry Potter series so popular. A lot of that appeal starts with Mikkelsen. His explosive, expressive take on the legendary dark wizard is leagues more sinister than Depp’s composed performance ever was, but there’s charisma buried under that malice that’s both welcome and narratively consistent. Mikkelsen’s layered performance gives us a clearer glimpse of the man Dumbledore loved – and the man he lost.
As great as the returning cast members are, the newcomers are arguably more memorable. Williams is the inarguable standout; as a professor at American Wizarding school Ilvermorny, she’s our best glimpse into the Hogwarts-adjacent magic school we’ve heard about but not yet seen. She eats up every scene and soaks up every moment. We hope to see more of her in the sequel.
Thankfully, The Secrets of Dumbledore is enough of a course correction that those willing to stomach more of Rowling will find plenty to enjoy. The performances are earnest and genuine; the action is fast, fun, and furiously shot; and ultimately it’s the closest the franchise has come to recapturing the magic of Harry Potter.
