FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM, written by JK Rowling, takes place within the Harry Potter universe, but 70 years earlier than Harry, Hermione and Ron attend Hogwarts. It follows Newt Scamander, author of a book within the Harry Potter world by the same name as the movie, as he travels to America. Ostensibly, his trip is to track down a particular magical creature, but in reality that’s not what happens as his own creatures get loose and he’s pulled into a multi-faceted plot that involves tracking them down, intrigue and double crossing at the Magical Congress of the United States of America, an illegal romance with a nonmagical person and a movement to bring back the Salem Witch Trials.
The themes in the film are as surprisingly relevant in today’s world as they would have been in the 1920s when it takes place and include interracial marriage, a female president, and mass extermination.
The film is the first of a planned five-part franchise that serves as a prequel to the HARRY POTTER series. It stars Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Colin Farrell, Samantha Morton, Jon Voight, Ron Perlman, Dan Fogler and Alison Sudol. It’s directed by David Yates.
For more about the movie’s themes and other plot details, take a look below:
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