I’m talking to you. You know, that Harry Potter fan who, to this day, still relapses an all-nighter binge watching your favorite moments. And of course, re-reading one or more of the books occurs frequently, possibly once a year. In honor of the new Fantastic Beasts film that recently hit theatres, I wanted to post my thoughts on the movie.

Sadly, the future of the series will only be unveiled through the big screen. A book would allow for an insightful, more detailed account of the story, enveloped by every page to understand more about the wizarding world. Nonetheless, I was very excited to see the movie, and it was amazing! Without a doubt, the debut was not a let-down and only rekindled my Harry Potter flame, perpetually burning inside every true fan. Viewing the wizarding environment from a different perspective, a more American perspective, has only incited more questions about the history of that universe.

Everything from wizarding school, classes taken, and daily wizarding operations, like the Ministry of Magic or wand purchasing, is different from the UK counterpart. As it seems to be with wizarding schools, I’m guessing dark moments have accrued throughout Ilvermorny’s history, secrets that will drag me to the next movie in the series.

Overall, the protagonist, Newt Scamander, was played exceptionally well by Eddie Redmayne. He depicted a reserved, beast-loving scholar pursuing his passion while balancing the protection of endangered species residing in the wizarding world. His mastery of the exotic creatures portrayed a new combat technique, one that proved to be quite handy in various predicaments. I am optimistic about his character development over the course of the series.

Obviously, I cannot ignore the surprise ending of the movie, Johnny Depp casted as Gellert Grindelwald. This character, originally presented in the Deathly Hallows, can only inspire the series to new heights. I mean, Grindelwald is directly associated with one of the most beloved characters in the original series, Albus Dumbledore. Who will play young Dumbledore in the remaining movies? When will he duel Grindelwald for the Elder wand? Although I could be wrong, I strongly believe that Dumbledore will be introduced in the new series, hopefully sooner than later. Unresolved questions of his mysterious past still linger in the minds of fans, and we all want answers. However, Dumbledore’s past will have to run parallel to that of Newt, so I’m curious how the story will unravel.

J.K. Rowling mentioned in a prior interview that the Fantastic Beasts series intends to be darker, so expect heart-throbbing moments on the way. Although we all adored Harry Potter, this series shall enlighten us with new facts, turning our heads towards a new direction. With that in mind, I encourage all fans to give this series a chance, for it might just exceed expectations and squander reluctant misconceptions.