The Harry Potter film series made numerous alterations from the original books to better suit the cinematic format. While many of these adaptations were logical and even enhanced character development, others, such as the moment where Lucius Malfoy (played by Jason Isaacs) seems to threaten Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) with death, raise eyebrows. Overall, the movies remained largely faithful to the source material, which contributed significantly to their appeal among devoted fans of the books. Nevertheless, some changes have not been forgotten, and certain modifications continue to stir debate among the fandom even years after the series concluded.
Fans have expressed particular frustration with specific scenes, such as Dumbledore’s confrontation with Harry in *Goblet of Fire*, and the complete exclusion of Peeves, the Hogwarts poltergeist, from the films. While many alterations were harmless, some decisions bordered on the nonsensical, lacking any real purpose. A notable example of this is found in *Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets*, when Lucius Malfoy appears to attempt to kill Harry, despite the chaotic ramifications of such an act.
Lucius Malfoy Attempts the Killing Curse on Harry Potter in Chamber of Secrets
The First Part of the Spell Is Uttered
Lucius Malfoy made his cinematic debut in *Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets*, the franchise’s second film. Portrayed as a wealthy, pure-blood wizard, Lucius is depicted as deeply disdainful of those he considers inferior, including “mudbloods”and families like the Weasleys. As a loyal Death Eater, he harbors a profound hatred for Harry, which culminates in their first encounter in this installment.
The climax of *Chamber of Secrets* features an intense scene where Harry cleverly maneuvers Lucius into freeing Dobby, which infuriates the Malfoy patriarch. As Dobby intervenes to protect Harry, Lucius ominously begins to say “Avada…” before being interrupted by Dobby’s interference. This particular moment—which hints at Lucius casting the Killing Curse—derives from speculative storytelling rather than the source material, creating a questionable addition to the film.
Watch the scene here
Did Lucius Malfoy Truly Intend to Kill Harry Potter?
Lucius Malfoy Perhaps Acting Out of Character
Since this dramatic scene does not appear in the *Chamber of Secrets* book, it is clear that Lucius Malfoy was not genuinely contemplating killing Harry. Within the context of the film, his decision to cast the Killing Curse makes little sense, even given Jason Isaacs’ portrayal of the character embracing his villainous nature.
Moreover, the consequences of using the Killing Curse are severe; the penalty is life in Azkaban, a fate Lucius would likely avoid. The Killing Curse, categorized as one of the three Unforgivable Curses in the wizarding world, leads to instant death upon successful casting. Not only would Lucius face a harsh penalty, but executing it against a 12-year-old in a school environment, particularly outside Dumbledore’s office, would have profound repercussions.
As a devoted follower of Voldemort, Lucius would also acknowledge that murdering Harry—his master’s fiercest adversary—might not align with his objectives, especially as Voldemort was beginning to seek opportunities for his resurgence. This perplexing moment raises questions about the film’s writing and directing choices. If this line was ad-libbed by Isaacs, the oversight in including it in the final cut becomes all the more puzzling, reflecting a significant departure from the narrative’s consistency and coherence.
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