Overlay: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016)

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Errors	Missing	Unverified	Supported
2	0	0	5

How were these counts calculated?

Errors (2)

Newt does not tell the Customs Official he is buying a puffskein; he simply denimuddled-context Newt's 'Puffskein' cover story was immediately debunked.: When Newt tells Tina hfabricated-cause

#Q ORIGINAL QUESTION

Regarding the film Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016), what secrets are the characters keeping?

#M ANNOTATED LLM RESPONSE

In the 2016 film Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, secrets and hidden identities drive the plot. Nearly every primary character is concealing their true nature, past, or intentions from the authorities (MACUSA) or from each other.

Newt Scamander

Newt is a "walking secret" throughout the film, hiding multiple layers of his life:

The Contents of the Case: His primary secret is the magically expanded suitcase, which contains an entire ecosystem of creatures that are strictly illegal to bring into the United States under MACUSA law.
The Obscurus: Hidden deep within his suitcase is an Obscurus, a dark parasitic force he harvested from a young girl in Sudan who died because of it. He keeps this a secret because Obscurials are considered dangerous "monsters" rather than victims by the wizarding community.
Leta Lestrange: Newt carries a framed photo of a woman named Leta Lestrange. When Queenie reads his mind, she reveals that Leta was a "taker" and that Newt took the blame for an incident involving a magical beast at Hogwarts to save her from expulsion—a secret he had not shared with anyone.
His True Mission: While he tells customs he is in New York to buy a birthday present (a puffskein), his actual goal is to travel to Arizona to release Frank the Thunderbird back into his native habitat.

Percival Graves (Gellert Grindelwald)

The film's most significant secret is the identity of the Director of Magical Security:

Identity Theft: "Percival Graves" is actually the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald in disguise. He has likely used human transfiguration to impersonate a high-ranking official to infiltrate MACUSA.
The Hunt for the Obscurial: While officially investigating the disturbances in New York as "Graves," his secret motive is to find a powerful Obscurial to use as a weapon. He keeps this hunt secret from MACUSA, even as he uses Credence Barebone to do his dirty work.
The Deathly Hallows: He gives Credence a necklace with the symbol of the Deathly Hallows, a secret sign of his true identity and his "For the Greater Good" ideology.

Credence Barebone

Credence is a victim of both magical and non-magical suppression:

Being the Obscurial: For most of the film, characters (and the audience) believe the Obscurial is a young child (specifically Modesty). The secret is that Credence is the Obscurial. He has survived to adulthood by repressing his magic, making him exponentially more powerful and dangerous than any known case.
Secret Meetings: He maintains a secret, clandestine relationship with "Graves," meeting him in dark alleys and derelict buildings, hoping Graves will help him enter the wizarding world.

Tina and Queenie Goldstein

The sisters are also forced to hide aspects of their lives to survive the strict American magical climate:

Tina’s Demotion: Tina hides the full emotional weight of why she was demoted. It is eventually revealed she secretly attacked Mary Lou Barebone (a No-Maj) in front of witnesses to stop her from beating Credence—an act of compassion that cost her her career as an Auror.
Queenie’s Legilimency: While she doesn't hide that she is a Legilimens, her ability to read minds means she is constantly privy to everyone else's secrets. She uses this "secret knowledge" to navigate the world, such as knowing exactly how to manipulate her coworkers to help Newt and Tina escape.
The Illegal Romance: Queenie and Jacob Kowalski’s attraction is a secret that violates Rappaport’s Law, which forbade any fraternization between wizards and No-Majs in the 1920s U.S.

Jacob Kowalski

The "Secret" Baker: At the end of the film, despite being "obliviated," Jacob's memory appears partially intact. He keeps Newt's gift of silver Occamy eggshells a secret, using them as collateral to open his bakery. His pastries are shaped like the "fantastic beasts" he supposedly forgot, suggesting he is keeping the secret of the magical world alive in his subconscious.

#F CORRECTION FEED (CLICK TO SEARCH)

[1] Newt confirms the Obscurus came from a Sudanese girl who died during the separation process.

[2] Newt was expelled from Hogwarts for endangering human life with a beast, but Dumbledore argued against it. It is revealed he took the blame for Leta Lestrange's experiment.

[3] Newt does not tell the Customs Official he is buying a puffskein; he simply denies having livestock. He uses the 'Appaloosa Puffskein' excuse later when interrogated by Tina Goldstein.

[4] J.K. Rowling confirmed in an FAQ that Grindelwald used a Transfiguration spell to impersonate Graves, not Polyjuice Potion.

[5] Rappaport's Law is a specific American wizarding law mentioned in the film and lore that enforces strict segregation between wizards and No-Majs.

[6] Newt leaves Jacob a case of silver Occamy eggshells to fund his bakery.

#O MISSED POINTS & OVERSIGHTS

Low

Newt's 'Puffskein' cover story was immediately debunked.

When Newt tells Tina he is there for a breeder of Appaloosa Puffskeins, she immediately informs him that the breeder was closed down a year ago, rendering his secret cover story useless almost instantly.

#C RELATED QUERIES

#01 Did Grindelwald use Polyjuice Potion or Transfiguration to become Graves?

#02 What is Rappaport's Law in Fantastic Beasts?

#03 Why was Newt Scamander expelled from Hogwarts?

#S SOURCES

denofgeek.com

#R ORIGINAL AI RESPONSE

▼

In the 2016 film *Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them*, secrets and hidden identities drive the plot. Nearly every primary character is concealing their true nature, past, or intentions from the authorities (MACUSA) or from each other. ### **Newt Scamander** Newt is a "walking secret" throughout the film, hiding multiple layers of his life: * **The Contents of the Case:** His primary secret is the magically expanded suitcase, which contains an entire ecosystem of creatures that are strictly illegal to bring into the United States under MACUSA law. * **The Obscurus:** Hidden deep within his suitcase is an **Obscurus**, a dark parasitic force he harvested from a young girl in Sudan who died because of it. He keeps this a secret because Obscurials are considered dangerous "monsters" rather than victims by the wizarding community. * **Leta Lestrange:** Newt carries a framed photo of a woman named Leta Lestrange. When Queenie reads his mind, she reveals that Leta was a "taker" and that Newt took the blame for an incident involving a magical beast at Hogwarts to save her from expulsion—a secret he had not shared with anyone. * **His True Mission:** While he tells customs he is in New York to buy a birthday present (a puffskein), his actual goal is to travel to Arizona to release **Frank the Thunderbird** back into his native habitat. ### **Percival Graves (Gellert Grindelwald)** The film's most significant secret is the identity of the Director of Magical Security: * **Identity Theft:** "Percival Graves" is actually the dark wizard **Gellert Grindelwald** in disguise. He has likely used human transfiguration to impersonate a high-ranking official to infiltrate MACUSA. * **The Hunt for the Obscurial:** While officially investigating the disturbances in New York as "Graves," his secret motive is to find a powerful Obscurial to use as a weapon. He keeps this hunt secret from MACUSA, even as he uses Credence Barebone to do his dirty work. * **The Deathly Hallows:** He gives Credence a necklace with the symbol of the Deathly Hallows, a secret sign of his true identity and his "For the Greater Good" ideology. ### **Credence Barebone** Credence is a victim of both magical and non-magical suppression: * **Being the Obscurial:** For most of the film, characters (and the audience) believe the Obscurial is a young child (specifically Modesty). The secret is that **Credence is the Obscurial**. He has survived to adulthood by repressing his magic, making him exponentially more powerful and dangerous than any known case. * **Secret Meetings:** He maintains a secret, clandestine relationship with "Graves," meeting him in dark alleys and derelict buildings, hoping Graves will help him enter the wizarding world. ### **Tina and Queenie Goldstein** The sisters are also forced to hide aspects of their lives to survive the strict American magical climate: * **Tina’s Demotion:** Tina hides the full emotional weight of why she was demoted. It is eventually revealed she secretly attacked Mary Lou Barebone (a No-Maj) in front of witnesses to stop her from beating Credence—an act of compassion that cost her her career as an Auror. * **Queenie’s Legilimency:** While she doesn't hide that she is a Legilimens, her ability to read minds means she is constantly privy to everyone else's secrets. She uses this "secret knowledge" to navigate the world, such as knowing exactly how to manipulate her coworkers to help Newt and Tina escape. * **The Illegal Romance:** Queenie and Jacob Kowalski’s attraction is a secret that violates **Rappaport’s Law**, which forbade any fraternization between wizards and No-Majs in the 1920s U.S. ### **Jacob Kowalski** * **The "Secret" Baker:** At the end of the film, despite being "obliviated," Jacob's memory appears partially intact. He keeps Newt's gift of silver Occamy eggshells a secret, using them as collateral to open his bakery. His pastries are shaped like the "fantastic beasts" he supposedly forgot, suggesting he is keeping the secret of the magical world alive in his subconscious.

#A DIRECT ANSWER (VERIFIED ANALYSIS)

▼

In Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, characters harbor numerous secrets. Newt Scamander hides a suitcase full of illegal magical creatures, including a suppressed Obscurus harvested from a deceased Sudanese girl. He also hides his true mission (releasing a Thunderbird) behind a cover story about buying a Puffskein (which he tells Tina Goldstein, not Customs). Percival Graves is secretly the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald in disguise (using Transfiguration), hunting for an Obscurial to use as a weapon. Credence Barebone hides that he is the powerful Obscurial, while maintaining secret meetings with Graves. Tina Goldstein hides the details of her assault on Mary Lou Barebone which led to her demotion, and Queenie and Jacob hide their romance which violates the segregationist Rappaport's Law.

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