Discussing
Harry Potter and the Power of Sadness

In fantasy series such as Harry Potter, it is often the moodier installments that are remembered with the most affection.

Well said! Sometimes I wonder too, if the closing of a story reminds us of its finiteness; that all things come to an end, no matter how good. When, in our humanity, we grasp at a hero that is all too human, we are sad when the tale comes to closure, leaving us with a feeling of, "That's it? Now what?" As a teacher, I've read the series and watched the movies. I remember drawing back on the strength of the story of Christ, knowing that He is unchanging, the story of God's great plan is merely unfolding, and I'm privileged enough to be a part of it! "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Heb. 13:8

The sadness, I think, is part and parcel of the sense of exile which Our Heroes are going through. Babylon, the Diaspora: not fun places to be.

Deathly Hallows, all covered over with snow and loss, opened only a week before the liturgical season of Advent begins: a season in which we declare that the world is not as it should be, that we cannot mend it ourselves...and then plead with God to send us relief and light and salvation. Coincidence? Perhaps. But for me, it only heightens the sorrow and pain for those of us living between part 1 and part 2.

Can one know fullest joy without experiencing deepest sorrow? Adam and Eve aside, I doubt any human can. And yet their paradise lost was a "fortunate fall" in that the greater glory of Christ's redemption was already being put in place---so the story goes.
Bring on "Part Two," the hopefully ever-after---

I think often the moodier films/books are those in which we learn more about the characters. The focus turns inward rather than being directed outward towards special effects and action sequences. In these films, we learn to relate to the characters more deeply.

Excellent observation, Paigeturner.