What was Eddie-Redmayne-as-Newt-Scamander thinking when he brought a suitcase full of magical creatures to New York City? Of course they escaped. And of course it’s up to a plucky American named Porpentina (Katherine Waterston) to help catch ‘em all and fix the affable Scamander’s charming mess.
This is not the first time invasive species from England have plagued New York. Starlings first arrived in 1890 when a man named Eugene Shieffelin imported 60 birds from England in an attempt to introduce all the birds mentioned in Shakespeare to America. Starlings, which spread disease and have caused deadly plane crashes, wreaked havoc—imagine the destruction a magical starling could cause. Based on the sounds coming out of Scamander’s suitcase, it seems likely these fantastic beasts are much bigger, and angrier, than pesky birds.