Hey everyone,
Welcome to another installment of Harry Potter Theory. In today’s video, we’re
going to be discussing another theory within the greater Wizarding World – that’s right,
I’m excited to say that today’s video is another theory regarding the recently released trailer
for the upcoming film Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore.
While there are a lot of great theories that have come about from the trailer,
many of them – rightfully so – focus on imagined or suspected events that will take place in
the film, set to be released this spring. Today’s theory, however, is more an analysis
of what the presentation of a certain character may say about who he is and who he will become
within the Fantastic Beasts franchise. As you’ve likely deduced from the title of this video, I’m,
of course, speaking of Credence Barebone – allegedly born Aurelius Dumbledore,
brother to Albus Dumbledore – that is, if the word of Gellert Grindelwald can be trusted.
And so, if you’ve watched The Secrets of Dumbledore trailer – which, I assume all
of you have – then you’ve likely noticed that Credence seems to have gotten a new look since
the last couple of films. That is, in both Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald Credence sports two distinctively cropped
haircuts – which in themselves are actually quite different from one another. In the first film,
Credence has a rather unflattering bowl cut, which was laughed at on the internet through
various memes and the like. Poor bloke. In any case, it can be assumed that Mary Lou Barebone,
gave him this extremely unattractive cut, which he then sheds in the second movie
in favour of an even shorter, thankfully plainer – and, let’s be honest, more presentable – haircut.
This transition between the two looks was likely to signify the passage of time that took place
between the two films, and the fact that Mary Lou is no longer alive and in control of his
hair – or his life for that matter – in the second film. So, in a way, his change in hairstyle can be
viewed as a representation of him breaking free from Mary Lou and her mental and physical abuse.
That said, as we all know from the new trailer, Credence’s hair has since gone through another,
more dramatic transition, as it’s now down to his shoulders in length. Now,
other than the fact that the character of Credence – or perhaps the actor who portrays Credence,
Ezra Miller – may simply like having longer hair, what could this change in style mean?
Well, as many fans have commented, Credence’s new look is rather reminiscent of another
Harry Potter character known for his shoulder-length, raven locks:
Severus Snape. In fact, I’ve actually seen many a query wondering if Credence Barebone could,
in fact, be related to Severus – rather than Albus Dumbledore, as Grindelwald claims. However,
there is lots of evidence throughout the larger wizarding world and Harry Potter universe to
disprove this theory. So, I can’t say that I believe there is substance to there being
any relation between Credence and Snape, other than a passing resemblance and the same haircut.
BUT I must admit that I do believe the similarities in their appearance
may have been created ON PURPOSE. Here’s why…
One of the many wonderful things about the Harry Potter series is the depth of the characters.
Witches and wizards were often presented as having multiple facets of humanity that make
them more relatable as, well, humans – albeit with magical abilities. Albus Dumbledore is, of course,
a wonderful example of this. He is most often portrayed as a great hero and mentor within
the series. But, as we all know, he wasn’t always so good or on the “right side” – as
you may recall, growing up, Albus had a close relationship with Gellert Grindelwald
and shared many of his fanatical anti-Muggle sentiments. There’s also lots to suggest that
perhaps he doesn’t always make the “right” decision. For instance, many fans – and
Harry Potter characters – fiercely believe that he should’ve shared what he knew about
Harry’s inevitable self-sacrifice with Harry himself (Snape included). But, alas, I digress…
Severus Snape is, of course, another great example of a complex Harry Potter character with many
layers. Throughout many of the Harry Potter novels and films he is indeed depicted as a villain. BUT
as we progress through the series, lots about Snape and his motives are uncovered, revealing
that he was actually a decent person – a wizard who was in love with a good and moral witch –
Harry’s mother, Lily Evans – who simply wanted to belong and was lured to the power and camaraderie
of the Dark Arts, but who ultimately chose to help those who opposed Lord Voldemort. Though, I
suppose you could say that all the good he did was in the name of his own self-interest – that is,
his love for Lily. But good he did do, regardless of his motives. So, with all that in mind,
it would seem that Severus Snape was an antihero within Harry Potter – that is, a protagonist or
central character who lacks certain conventional heroic qualities, such as morality and honesty.
And so, I would say that in a similar way, Credence Barebone seems to have been set up
to be the antihero of the Fantastic Beasts series. He is not, by nature,
an evil person. His existence as an Obscurial is completely circumstantial. That is,
his magic was repressed due to Mary Lou Barebone’s abuse towards him throughout his upbringing, which
resulted in the creation of a dark parasitical magical force, otherwise known as an Obscurus.
So, although Credence harbours this Obscurus,
which is incredibly destructive when released, it would seem that Credence never intentionally
releases its dark magical force – it only comes about when he loses control of his emotions
or feels extreme distress. So, again, he isn’t wreaking havoc or bringing about destruction
with evil intentions. He seems to just be a young man who longs to understand who he
is – to belong somewhere and discover where he came from. Cue Grindelwald…
Either because he believes that Credence is actually a member of the Dumbledore family,
or because he simply wants to take advantage of his magical power,
Grindelwald has spent the better part of the last two Fantastic Beasts movies
trying to persuade Credence to join his cause. It would seem that Grindelwald has done so with
the intention of having Credence eventually challenge Albus. If Credence is a Dumbledore,
he may be the only one strong enough to defeat his brother, aside from Grindelwald, who has
taken part in a blood pact with Albus and likely can’t duel him himself. So, after guiding Credence
through various discoveries throughout the films, by the end of The Crimes of Grindelwald, Gellert
has successfully seduced Credence into joining him. As it all unfolds, it appears as though
Credence feels he is left with little choice but to go with Grindelwald if he ever wants to belong.
And, although he seems to quite willingly join Grindelwald in that ring of bright blue fire
at the end of the second film, thanks to Queenie Goldstein’s Legilimency abilities,
we know that Credence isn’t completely convinced that he’s made the right decision in following
Grindelwald and his acolytes, as she reveals to Gellert in the final scene of the movie:
“You need to be careful. He’s not sure he made the right choice. Be very gentle with him.”
So, we have a young, powerful wizard who’s chosen a path filled with Dark Magic in an effort to
belong somewhere. And yet, he remains hesitant as to whether it was the right thing to do,
leaving valued relationships with those such as Nagini behind. Remind you of anyone? Why, yes,
I do believe that sounds an awful lot like our dear Severus Snape. For this reason, I wouldn’t
be surprised if eventually Credence makes a choice or two that’s moral and good in nature, aligning
himself with those who oppose Grindelwald, making him the antihero of the series in the
same way Snape was for Harry Potter. Perhaps, if it serves his interests, he will even fully switch
sides and fight alongside his friend and former ally, Nagini, and his alleged brother, Albus, in
order to defeat Grindelwald. I suppose we’ll have to wait until April – or longer – to find out!
So, there you have it. Severus Snape and Credence Barebone may not be related in the familial sense,
but I sure do believe that their physical similarities offer clues into the character
development and story arc of Credence in the Fantastic Beasts series. What do you think?
Is this way too far-fetched for you? Do you even see a resemblance between Snape and Credence?
Perhaps you just think that Ezra Miller likes wearing his hair long?
Let me know your thoughts in the comments below! And, as always,
if you enjoyed the video, don’t forget to like and subscribe to the channel!
Until next time…
“YOU DON’T WANT ME AS YOUR ENEMY” – Snape