The ending of Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore reveals key secrets and sets up future conflicts in the Wizarding World. It shows Grindelwald’s temporary defeat, Credence’s true identity, and Dumbledore’s ongoing struggles.
Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore dives deep into the past of the wizarding world. The film uncovers significant secrets and hints at future battles. Directed by David Yates and co-written by J.K. Rowling and Steve Kloves, it is the third movie in the Fantastic Beasts series.
Plot Summary
The story follows Newt Scamander and his friends, including Albus Dumbledore. They aim to stop Gellert Grindelwald from taking over the wizarding world. The climax happens in Bhutan, where Grindelwald tries to cheat in the election for the new leader. He uses a magical creature called a Qilin, which can identify pure-hearted people.
The Election and Grindelwald’s Downfall
Grindelwald’s plan to rig the election gets exposed. Credence Barebone reveals that the Qilin used by Grindelwald is a necromantic creation. This means it was brought back to life using dark magic. The wizarding community sees this and loses trust in Grindelwald. He has to retreat for now. The real Qilin then bows to Vicência Santos, showing she is the true leader (Collider).
Credence’s Revelation and Redemption
A gigantic reveal in the film is Credence’s true identity. He is actually Aurelius Dumbledore, the illegitimate son of Aberforth Dumbledore. This brings Credence closer to his family. Even though he is inferiorly hurt, Aberforth accepts him. This moment of acceptance is touching and hints at Credence’s future (Collider).
The Blood Pact and Dumbledore’s Guilt
A key part of the film is the breaking of the blood pact between Albus Dumbledore and Grindelwald. This pact stopped them from fighting each other. It breaks during a duel when Dumbledore tries to protect Credence. This act frees Dumbledore to face Grindelwald in the future. It also shows Dumbledore’s guilt over his sister Ariana’s death. This theme might be explored more in future films (Syfy).
The Wedding and Temporary Peace
The film ends on a hopeful note with the wedding of Jacob Kowalski and Queenie Goldstein. The wedding takes place in Jacob’s bakery in New York. This event symbolizes a moment of joy and temporary peace. However, there are still unresolved issues and tensions that hint at darker times ahead (CinemaBlend).
Implications for the Future
Grindelwald’s Continued Threat
Even though Grindelwald is defeated, he is still out there. His quest for power is not over. The film hints at a legendary duel between Dumbledore and Grindelwald, set to happen in 1945. This duel is crucial as it leads to Dumbledore getting the Elder Wand and Grindelwald’s imprisonment (GamesRadar).
Dumbledore’s Internal Struggle
Dumbledore’s struggle with his past, especially his role in Ariana’s death, is a recurring theme. The film suggests that Dumbledore’s journey towards self-forgiveness is not over. This emotional arc will likely be significant in future films. It adds depth to Dumbledore’s character and his motivations (Syfy).
The Future of the Franchise
The future of the Fantastic Beasts series is uncertain. It was initially planned as a five-film series. However, the disappointing box office performance of The Secrets of Dumbledore has cast doubt on this. Mads Mikkelsen, who plays Grindelwald, has shown interest in returning. But the franchise’s future depends on its financial success and audience interest (Collider).
Critical Reception and Box Office Performance
Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore received mixed reviews. Some praised it as better than its predecessor, The Crimes of Grindelwald. Others criticized it for its complicated plot. The film has a 47% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, showing a divided reception (ScreenRant).
Financially, the film did not do well compared to the previous ones. It earned just under $400 million worldwide. This is much less than The Crimes of Grindelwald, which made over $650 million, and the first Fantastic Beasts film, which grossed over $800 million. The poor box office performance raises concerns about future films (Collider).
Conclusion
Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore offers a complicated ending that sets up future conflicts. It also provides moments of resolution and hope. The film explores Dumbledore’s past, the breaking of the blood pact, and the temporary peace from Jacob and Queenie’s wedding. These are significant developments in the Wizarding World narrative.
However, the film’s mixed reviews and poor box office performance cast a shadow over the franchise’s future. Whether the planned five-film series will continue is uncertain. For now, The Secrets of Dumbledore stands as an significant chapter in the Fantastic Beasts series, bridging past revelations and future confrontations.
