Encanto (2021) Review
SnarkAI Score: 60/100
“So, we've all agreed the old woman is an abusive and toxic withholder right?”
TL;DR: tldr: Encanto's got some bangers (Luisa's song slaps), but it's basically a toxic family therapy session disguised as a Disney musical. Abuela's unhinged and basically the villain with a redemption arc, characters have superpowers they can't control, and there's a complete lack of validation for anyone who isn't perfect. The animation's gorgeous, but the family dynamic is so messed up it makes you want to call child services. Still, it's got heart and some genuinely beautiful moments.
The poor unfortunate in the middle represents Abuela's empathy.
So, we've all agreed the old woman is an abusive and toxic withholder right?
Like she's done so much emotional damage to her children and grandchildren, and they'd all be better off had they left the family home? My headcanon is Bruno does what he does because he'd rather see the end of his family's magic than spend one more second with his terrible mother and her prioritisation of perception over the person.
Mirabel's parents fail her over and over and over again and she's expected to just take it, and her abusive family dynamic has left her desperate for any shred of approval. The movie ends with the knowing setup that Mirabel is likely to end up as the new Abuela in time who continues the cycle of valuing people only if they don't 'embarrass' the family.
Luisa's song is a banger though.