For the first time, Draco is not a bully but a victim. Felton’s gaunt, crying performance in the bathroom (before Harry uses Sectumsempra ) is the best acting of his career. The 2009 film humanizes Draco completely, setting the stage for his redemption arc.
: Harry discovers an old textbook filled with ingenious handwritten tips and dangerous spells (like Sectumsempra ) belonging to the mysterious "Half-Blood Prince". Teenage Turmoil Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince -2009-
Equally pivotal is the exploration of Tom Riddle’s past. While the film excises much of the Gaunt family history from the novel, it focuses tightly on the psychological profile of the villain. The scenes featuring Hero Fiennes Tiffin (young Tom Riddle) and Frank Dillane (teenage Tom Riddle) are chilling. They strip away the snake-like visage of Voldemort to show the cold, calculated sociopathy beneath. The film posits that Voldemort is terrifying not just because he is a monster, but because he was a brilliant, charming boy who chose to sever his own humanity. For the first time, Draco is not a bully but a victim
Michael Gambon’s performance in these final scenes is his : Harry discovers an old textbook filled with
Released in 2009 and directed by David Yates, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince: A 2009 Magical Review