Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (2022)
Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (2022)
At the beginning of the film, we see a train where Dumbledore is heading to meet Grindelwald. They converse in a restaurant, reminiscing about their past and the blood pact they made. Dumbledore expresses his feelings, but Grindelwald shows no affection for his "old friend" and tells him to stay away.
In the next scene, Newt Scamander is helping a Qilin—a mythical Chinese creature resembling a unicorn—give birth. Suddenly, Grindelwald’s followers, led by Credence, arrive to seize the newborn foal for the dark wizard's purposes. The mother Qilin is gravely injured, and a chase ensues, but the villains succeed in capturing the foal. Newt returns empty-handed to the dying Qilin, only to discover that she gave birth to twins. The injured mother dies, and Newt takes the surviving foal and escapes on a magical bird. Only after this do the opening credits roll.
Credence delivers the captured foal to Grindelwald. Grindelwald slits the creature’s throat and uses its blood to track other characters. He sees Newt and Theseus Scamander arriving in Hogsmeade, visiting the Hog’s Head, and meeting Aberforth Dumbledore, unaware of his identity as Albus's brother.
In a basement, Dumbledore finds the blood vial used to seal the blood pact between him and Grindelwald, preventing them from attacking each other. When Dumbledore thinks about fighting, the vial bursts from his hands and begins to float, and chains wrap around his arms. With difficulty, Dumbledore manages to stop the magic. If he continues to think about attacking, it seems clear he will die.
Dumbledore reveals that he has a plan to defeat Grindelwald, but the heroes must trust him. The kidnapped Qilin has some kind of powers, so caution is essential.
Credence confesses to Queenie that he is unsure if he chose the right side. Queenie does not reveal this to Grindelwald. Credence sees the words "Forgive me" appear on a mirror.
We are shown Jacob Kowalski’s bakery, which is struggling. Jacob imagines meeting Queenie. He notices a woman named Lally, who turns out to be a wizard and Newt's cousin. Lally transports Jacob to a train, where Newt, Theseus, Bunty, and Kama are already gathered. The group is given various objects, such as a tie with a gold pin, a wand without a core, and other items, each serving a specific purpose. Bunty receives Newt’s suitcase and commissions several replicas from a craftsman. Meanwhile, it is revealed that Tina Goldstein has become the head of the American Auror Office.
Grindelwald notices Yusuf’s visit to his fortress and orders preparations for departure. A phoenix keeps watch over Credence. Grindelwald suspects Credence has been assigned a specific task.
Newt and Theseus travel to Berlin for the election of the Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards. There, they meet its current leader, Vogel, and deliver Dumbledore’s message. Vogel expresses his displeasure at Dumbledore "hiding in Hogwarts" and announces to the gathered crowd that Grindelwald will not face charges due to a lack of evidence. Amidst the crowd, Theseus is kidnapped by Grindelwald's followers. Newt, searching for his brother, visits the German Ministry of Magic and spots one of the kidnappers, indicating that Grindelwald has allies within the Ministry itself.
Grindelwald and Rosier drive through Berlin in a car surrounded by his followers, who carry him away in their arms. This is witnessed by Vogel, Liu, and Santos (candidates in the upcoming election). Vogel remarks that the protests could lead to violence.
Newt, Lally, and Jacob meet with Dumbledore. He asks Lally and Jacob to attend the candidates' dinner that evening, as he expects an assassination attempt. He also informs Newt where his brother is being held.
Yusuf arrives at Grindelwald’s base, as foreseen by the dark wizard. He reveals that he is working for Dumbledore and becomes a double agent. Grindelwald offers Yusuf the chance to erase his painful memories of his sister.
Credence follows Dumbledore in Berlin, leading to a confrontation. Credence is defeated. Dumbledore tells him that they share the same blood but are not brothers.
Newt locates the prison where his brother is held and entrusts his creatures, Pickett and Teddy, to temporary care. Newt reassures them that he will return soon, though the guard is doubtful. The guard gives Newt a lantern and directs him into the dark prison corridor. Newt eventually finds Theseus and frees him.
Lally and Jacob arrive at the dinner hosted by the ICW. Grindelwald, Yusuf, and Queenie are also present. Jacob calls out to Queenie, but she ignores him. During the dinner, Grindelwald tells Queenie that he forgives her for her romance with Jacob. Jacob, after drinking, approaches Grindelwald and pretends to attack him using the wand he had been given earlier. Meanwhile, Santos is served a poisoned drink, but Lally intervenes just in time to save her. Grindelwald accuses the Muggle of attempting to assassinate him and declares that wizards must unite. Lally manages to apparate away from the restaurant with Jacob.
In the prisoners' chamber, lights illuminate the cells. One lantern suddenly goes out, and a giant spider drags a prisoner away. Newt and Theseus attract the spider’s attention, but their own lantern extinguishes, forcing them to flee through the tunnels.
Pickett and Teddy manage to escape. Teddy steals Theseus’ tie with the golden pin. A spider grabs Theseus and drags him into a pit. Newt jumps after him, joined by Teddy with the tie. The tie turns out to be a portal to Hogwarts, allowing them all to escape.
Dumbledore and Jacob are in the Great Hall. Jacob boasts about his wand and recounts a prank played by some Slytherins. Dumbledore mentions that there will be a meeting at the "Hog’s Head" later that evening.
Grindelwald reanimates the previously slain qilin. In a vision, the dark wizard sees Dumbledore with another qilin. Grindelwald asks Credence, who has just entered, whether there was a second qilin. Credence replies that he doesn’t know, prompting Grindelwald to lash out, declaring that Credence is now in grave danger.
A message appears in Aberforth’s mirror: "Do you know what it’s like to be alone?"
It is revealed that the qilin will bow only to someone with a pure soul. From a conversation between Aberforth and Dumbledore, Newt deduces that Credence is not Dumbledore's brother but his nephew, the result of a romance Aberforth had in the past.
Another message in the mirror reads: "I want to come home." Dumbledore realizes that Credence has been speaking to him through the mirror and regrets not being there for him. Looking at Ariana’s portrait, Dumbledore remarks that he has experience dealing with what resides inside Credence. He admits Credence cannot be saved but insists he can save others.
Dumbledore reveals his plan. The election will take place in a location of great significance to wizards — the Himalayas. Each conspirator must deliver one of six identical suitcases to the location, one of which contains the qilin. Dumbledore asks Newt if he knows which suitcase is real. Newt says he doesn’t. Satisfied, Dumbledore explains that knowing would ruin the plan. The conspirators travel to the location through a portal.
Lally and Theseus are attacked by Grindelwald’s aurors. In response, they release items from their suitcases, including Quidditch balls and Jacob’s enchanted baked goods. Lally and Theseus manage to escape. Jacob finds Queenie again and begs her to return. She replies that it’s too late. Grindelwald’s followers capture Jacob and take him away.
The qilin evaluates the candidates. The creature that appears in the scene is the one resurrected by Grindelwald. The qilin bows to Grindelwald. Amid fireworks, he is declared the new leader of the International Confederation of Wizards. Grindelwald seeks to demonstrate that non-magical individuals should not tarnish magical bloodlines. To do this, he tortures Jacob with the Cruciatus Curse, horrifying Queenie.
Suddenly, Credence appears and accuses Grindelwald of being a liar, drawing a line of ink across his face. Credence asserts that the qilin was killed, a claim Queenie corroborates. Grindelwald denies this, but the ink reveals the qilin’s connection to him. Baniti arrives with a suitcase containing another qilin. This new qilin bows to Dumbledore, but he declares that others are more deserving. The qilin then selects Santos.
Grindelwald attacks Credence, but Albus and Aberforth block the spell. Because Dumbledore was defending and Grindelwald attacking without animosity toward each other, the Blood Pact vial shatters. A spectacular duel between the two great wizards ensues.
The fight abruptly ends as the adversaries stop and place their hands on each other’s hearts. They then part ways. Grindelwald declares he was never their enemy and disappears just as aurors prepare to attack him. Credence weakens and dies. Aberforth cradles him and vows to take him home, followed by a phoenix. Dumbledore explains to Newt why the Blood Pact vial broke. Jacob and Queenie embrace. The phoenix flies off into the sunset.
In the final scene, Jacob and Queenie’s wedding is held in the bakery. Newt notices Dumbledore sitting alone on a bench and strikes up a conversation. Dumbledore admits he misses companionship. Newt offers his support, and later reunites with Tina, heading back to the bakery. Dumbledore watches for a moment before quietly departing.