Spoiler alert: If you’ve yet to see the new Harry Potter spin-off Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them you might want to stop reading. Right now.
Like many children of the 1990s, my literary diet consisted mostly of Harry Potter novels and absurdly drawn out Isobelle Carmody epics (here’s looking at you, The Obernewtyn Chronicles).
I’ve seen each of the seven films countless times and even now often fall asleep listening to Stephen Fry’s charming impersonation of Hermione Granger on audio book.
I also read Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, which if you haven’t, ah… don’t.
Despite a persistent sniffle, I excitedly went along to see the first film of the new franchise Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them on Friday night and, for the most part, was not disappointed.
It was filled with nostalgic nods to the originals, actually Fantastic critters and, most importantly, magic.
Not everyone loved it, but I did, right up until the last 10 minutes when Colin Farrell's villain Percival Graves revealed himself as dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald, played by Johnny Depp.
There was less than a minute of a puffy, bleached Depp cackling away in the 1920s New York subway — maybe he said words, I don't really care — but it was completely jarring and left me peeved for days.
Not only is Depp's over-the-top 'same character different costume' thing completely tired, his being handed such a pivotal role in such a high profile film was also a disturbing reminder that Hollywood continues to forgive its male stars, no matter how badly they behave.
Whether or not you believe the abuse allegations levelled against him by his now ex-wife Amber Heard, which I personally do, the treatment she has suffered in the wake of airing them is utterly disgusting.
Despite photos, phone recordings, testimonies from friends and finally video footage, the 30-year-old actress was repeatedly accused of making it all up in a bid to get her hands on Depp’s substantial wealth.
People have speculated about her character, her mental health, her ability to do her job, and now here's her alleged abuser smirking away in one of the biggest films of the year.
It's enough to turn your stomach.
News of the high profile couple's impending split broke in May and it's unclear whether Depp's casting preceded Heard's claims against him. Regardless, it probably wouldn't have changed anything.
If Donald Trump, a man accused of raping a 13-year-old girl — not to mention his countless other alleged offences against women — can become president-elect of the United States, and Woody Allen can make a film a year and people keep buying tickets, of course Johnny Depp will keep getting roles.
Of course we will have to endure him ruining four more Harry Potter films.
Over the weekend Heard released a moving PSA on domestic violence. In it, she gave a call to action to women across the world:
"It happens to so many women you know, when it happens in your home behind closed doors with someone you love it's not straightforward … If a stranger did this it would be a no-brainer. Just as a woman having gone through this in the public stage, in the public arena that I did it, I have a unique opportunity to remind other women this doesn't have to be the way it is, you don't have to do it alone, you're not alone. We can change this."
It's time we did.
If this post brings up any issues for you, or if you just feel like you need to speak to someone, please call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) – the national sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service. It doesn’t matter where you live, they will take your call and, if need be, refer you to a service closer to home.