It’s been more than two decades since the ‘Harry Potter’ movies first arrived, yet they are still deeply embedded in pop culture. With a new series adaptation coming soon, now is the perfect time to take a look back at the original series and some of the things we all chose to ignore.
Of course, standing the test of time is difficult. So, it is inevitable that some elements seem questionable now. But here are some of the biggest problematic moments in Harry Potter that we never acknowledged. Hopefully, the new series can make up for the franchise’s past mistakes.
10. Harry Should Not Have Been Allowed In The Triwizard Tournament
The adults in the ‘Harry Potter’ world are mostly incredibly useless. Sure, there was an explanation that breaking the Goblet of Fire’s magical contract could have serious repercussions. This is seen as a legitimate reason to let Harry join the tournament.
But wasn’t Barty Crouch Jr. able to trick the Goblet into naming a fourth contestant? Surely, the greatest minds of the wizarding world could have come together to find a solution. Instead, they left an underage wizard alone in such a dangerous situation.
9. Hogwarts Was Not A Good School
Speaking of dangerous situations, Hogwarts seems like a death trap for kids. For a school, there is an alarming amount of danger surrounding its young students. There are deadly creatures, cursed artefacts, and, not to forget the poorly guarded Forbidden Forest, which first-year students were somehow sent into for detention.
Quidditch alone is an extremely dangerous game. Children are badly getting hurt left and right, while the professors are just standing by and watching. Between basilisks, dementors and the occasional Voldemort visits, it is a wonder how any parent felt comfortable sending off their children to Hogwarts.
8. Dumbledore Wasn’t The Best Headmaster
Dumbledore was a very complicated person, but not always in a good way. He was supposed to be the greatest wizard of all time, yet there is surprisingly little action to actually prove this. Dumbledore is careless, manipulative and cold, repeatedly allowing Harry and other children to walk into dangerous situations.
He seemed to never notice any of the dangerous things happening at Hogwarts, or he knew about them and refused to intervene. Because how could you miss a giant Basilisk roaming the halls of your school for an entire year? Then there are his hiring decisions, which include a Death Eater, a fraud, a werewolf and even Voldemort himself.
7. Snape’s Redemption Arc Doesn’t Explain Away All His Toxic Behaviour
Snape was undoubtedly a complex and deeply flawed character. But his eventual redemption arc, no matter how emotional it was, doesn’t justify so many of his worst behaviors. For most of the movies, he was openly abusive towards his students, constantly belittling, mocking, humiliating, or punishing them for petty reasons.
Really, the reason behind it all was that he disliked those particular students. Whatever sacrifices he eventually made, the children in his care did not deserve to be bullied by an adult, especially by their own teacher. The power dynamic there is deeply problematic.
6. The Hogwarts House System Was Completely Toxic
The entire idea of House segregation in Hogwarts is so problematic. Especially the concept of Slytherin because essentially, only the bad kids were put in the greenhouse. It was so apparent that nearly everyone in Slytherin was expected to become an antagonist. In the finale movie, they literally lock every Slytherin student in the dungeon.
This could have been the perfect opportunity to explore deeper psychological themes about how supposedly dangerous or toxic traits are not always bad. We could have had some genuinely good people from Slytherin. Instead, they were all stereotypical bullies. The fact that Hogwarts segregates children like this at just eleven years old is incredibly toxic.
5. The House Elves Were A Controversial Portrayal
The house elves in the wizarding world are, of course, a clear portrayal of slavery. But the movies never really take this exploration in the right direction. Instead of meaningfully exploring the psychological impact, social issues, and struggles surrounding slavery, the idea is introduced and then largely left in the background.
Most characters also seem remarkably indifferent to the fact that this is so prevalent in their society. They don’t mind the horrible treatment faced by the elves simply because they are not human. The way slavery is so normalized throughout the movie is just problematic.
In Case You Missed It: HBO’S ‘Harry Potter’ Reboot Quietly Fixes One of Its Biggest Fan Complaints
4. So Many Stereotypes and Dangerous Norms
There is a severe lack of diversity throughout the entire movie franchise. Dean, Parvati, Padma and Cho are among the few characters of color, but even they are not particularly well explored. There is also a recurring tendency of the movies to antagonize heavier characters. Dudley’s weight is a defining symbol of his greed and gluttony. The same goes for Crabbe and Goyle.
Then there are the female characters, so often valued for their nurturing traits. On the other hand, traditionally feminine characters like Lavender and Parvati are portrayed as dumb or frivolous. Subtle sexism is so prevalent in the movie as a product of its time, but that simply never justifies any of it.
3. The Way Harry And Ron Treat Girls Is Problematic
Harry and Ron are terrible to the girls they like. Rob is a problematic character in many ways, and is often unaware of the privilege he has. His treatment of Hermione was rude, insensitive and selfish from the beginning.
Harry’s relationship with Cho is also the same. The girl was grieving the death of her boyfriend and somehow ended up being antagonised by Harry and her own friends. Most notably, both boys behave terribly at the Yule Ball, spending the entire night sulking while the lovely Patil sisters were left sitting there with dates who clearly didn’t want to be with them.
2. The Redemption Of The Marauders
The Marauders and the mysterious dark academia aesthetic that is associated with and romanticised about them is just straight up toxic. Because they were famous for one thing, and that is bullying and outright abuse.
The way they treated Snape is actually much more serious than what the movie makes it out to be. Somehow the Marauders largely get their redemption in the film, and their reputation remains relatively unscathed and intact, despite all the heinous things they did.
1. Harry Was Arrogant Just Like His Father
James Potter wasn’t a very nice person, and Harry knew that. But still, he ends up being the same. Harry is selfish, repeatedly putting other people’s safety at risk, and taking his anger out on those around him.
He is always acting as if he is above the rules, bending or breaking them however he pleases. He also enjoys being the centre of attention. In reality, most of the things he is able to accomplish are all thanks to his friends. Yet, when it comes to Harry, either he is cocky about being the Chosen One or plays the victim card.
You Might Also Like To Read: J.K. Rowling Thought The ‘Harry Potter’ Trio Were “Too Good-Looking” For Their Characters
