Harry Potter: 10 Most Anxiety-Inducing Movie Moments

Shortly after Ron’s heated departure, Harry and Hermione travel to Godric’s Hollow and visit the graves of Lily and James. The pair of them then encounter Bathilda Bagshot (the famous magical historian) and follow her into her home.

No other scene in the Harry Potter franchise is so obviously inspired by the horror genre. The house carries a dark and creepy atmosphere in line with the unnatural mannerisms of Bathilda. The music lets the audience know our heroes are in some form of danger, but unless you had read the books beforehand, you would never guess that Bathilda is actually Voldemort’s snake.

What’s more, her transformation into Nagini is horrific. The way her body shakes and the gradual decay of her face is the most unsettling moment in the whole franchise. And even after the transformation is complete, there’s still plenty of suspense.

The snake’s unpredictable movements and protuberant fangs are a nightmare for Harry to contend with. Though he manages to avoid a fatal injury, it’s fair to say Nagini would have easily bested him had it not been for Hermione’s timely arrival.

It’s just a shame this sequence is so short. A slower build-up and a prolonged look around Bathilda’s home would have increased the audience’s level of anxiety even more.

Which Harry Potter scene gave you the most anxiety? Leave your thoughts below in the comments thread.