Shot-by-Shot Breakdown of the New “Crimes of Grindelwald” Trailer

 

The first official trailer for Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald has finally been released, and there’s so much to unpack! Here’s a shot-by-shot breakdown of the most significant moments from the trailer.

 

 

“I’m scared, professor,” says Newt as we see a flashback of Newt being taught the Boggart-Banishing Spell by Dumbledore. The music here is ominous as Dumbledore declares that “everyone is scared of something.” Newt’s biggest fear is “having to work in an office.”

 

 

Here we see a shot of Tina skulking around a magical statue, with Grindelwald’s voice echoing in the background. “Magic blooms… only in rare souls. Still, we must skulk in the shadows.” This is followed by a shot of the Maledictus from behind, followed by a scene featuring the wizarding circus, Circus Arcanus.

 

 

Here Credence looks at a poster. The central focus of the poster is a picture of a man with the caption “Take heed of his artful deception.” Is this a reference to Grindelwald? We know from the first Fantastic Beasts film that he has a penchant for disguises.

 

 

Here we see two characters, whom I assume are Dumbledore and Newt Apparating in London as they walk out of a bus. This is followed by a scene of the Deluminator being used, which also appeared in the teaser trailer.

 

 

Grindelwald is flanked by MACUSA Aurors as they take him up a flight of stairs. His hair is a mess. Chronically, this scene probably takes place immediately after he was arrested in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

 

 

Grindelwald proclaims that “the old ways” (presumably, the International Statute of Secrecy) “serve us no longer.” He speaks to an auditorium that soaks up his words. Grindelwald’s promise of a glorious revolution is tempting to many.

As the music significantly intensifies, Dumbledore says, “I take it you’ve heard the rumors. Grindelwald had a vision… that he would rise to dominance over the wizarding world.” Newt asks if Dumbledore is asking him to hunt down Grindelwald.

 

 

As Dumbledore says, “I can’t move against Grindelwald. It has to be you,” we see him standing in front of the Mirror of Erised, with Grindelwald in it. According to Dumbledore himself, the mirror shows “nothing more or less than the deepest, most desperate desire of our hearts.” Although David Yates had previously stated that Dumbledore’s sexuality would not be explicit in Crimes of Grindelwald, this seems pretty explicit to me.

 

 

We also see Dumbledore’s humorous side as he says to Newt, “In your shoes, I’d probably refuse too.” An exasperated Newt exclaims, “Oh, come on!”

 

 

Newt’s Niffler finally makes an appearance as someone tells Newt, “You underestimate your talent.” Juxtapositionally, Grindelwald says, “Their arrogance is a key to our victory,” as we’re shown what appears to be Theseus and several other Aurors walking in the same graveyard that appeared in the teaser trailer.

 

 

Here we see Grindelwald’s followers Apparating all around an arena as Grindelwald prepares to deliver his manifesto, “For the Greater Good.”

 

 

A disheveled-looking Dumbledore fades into an arrogant-looking Grindelwald. Dumbledore states that “Muggles are not lesser.”

 

Here we see Leta, Newt, and Tina navigating their way through a complex labyrinth of shelves. It’s highly likely that they’re in the French Ministry of Magic. This does clear up one thing, though. Based on this shot, we can surmise that Leta isn’t a follower of Grindelwald (unless she’s a double agent).

In another scene from the trailer, Leta tells Newt that he’s “too good” and that he’s “never a met a monster you couldn’t love.” Is she referring to herself, the Maledictus, or Credence?

 

 

Next, we see Grindelwald’s epic escape from MACUSA in a carriage pulled by Thestrals. With flames burning around him, Grindelwald taunts “Mr. Scamander! Do you think Dumbledore will mourn for you?” This doesn’t look good for Theseus. Could he be a casualty in Crimes of Grindelwald? I’m assuming, of course, that Newt, being the main character, comes out of this film unscathed.

 

 

The final scene from the trailer is of Newt and Jacob interacting with Nicolas Flamel. A nervous Jacob asks Flamel if he’s a ghost, to which Flamel replies, “I’m alive. But I’m an alchemist and therefore immortal.” Jacob tells him that he doesn’t “look a day over 375.”

That’s it for now, but I’m sure that in the following weeks and months there’ll be many more articles that delve deeper into this trailer! Also, I’m very pleased that they’ve maintained the theme of beasts in Crimes of Grindelwald – we see numerous beasts throughout this trailer! What did you think of the trailer? Which parts from it excited you the most? What intrigued you the most?