A Latina Therapist’s Take On Why Encanto Is So Popular
SPOILER ALERT: This article reveals key plot points, including the movie’s ending.
Disney’s animated film Encanto—which tells the story of a magical family living in Colombia—has been VERY well-received. It brought in $246 million at the box office and has been nominated for more than a dozen awards, including an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. If you haven’t seen it yet, you may be wondering why Encanto is so popular.
Why Encanto is one of the best depictions of Latine culture to hit the big screen
From start to finish, Encanto’s colorful animation, thrilling magic, and catchy songs are delightful. But those aren’t the only reasons why Encanto is so good. As Latina therapists, we couldn’t help but notice the cultural and psychological themes that give it exceptional depth. Here are some of the things we loved about it:
It doesn’t assume all Latino people are the same color
Historically, Latine representation in film has overlooked the fact that Latinos can be white, black, and every color in between. In Encanto, the Madrigal family has a wide variety of skin tones. Isabela, who Mirabel refers to as “effortlessly perfect” and a “princess,” has the darkest-toned skin of the three sisters. This feels like a really mindful decision on Disney’s part.
Another common problem with Latine representation in film is that it’s too often limited to roles that involve criminality, poverty, or other stereotypes. Encanto’s characters are a welcome deviation. Encanto allows its characters to be more than just victims or perpetrators despite Colombia’s reputation for violence. Magical powers aside, the Madrigals are ordinary people dealing with universally relatable problems.
We also appreciate the film’s inclusivity in terms of casting. In an exciting first for Disney Animation Studios, the entire cast of Encanto is Latine. Several actors are Colombian, including Mauro Castillo as Uncle Felix and Pobre Diablo as Julieta (Mirabel’s mother). Music by Colombian singers Carlos Vives and Sebastián Yatra also contributes to the film’s authenticity.
It sheds light on the intergenerational effects of displacement and trauma
We’ve worked with people forced to flee war-torn and poverty-stricken countries. Some were separated from family members in the process. So, the scene where Abuela Alma is separated from her husband Pedro left us sobbing. But that scene’s relatability and raw emotion are part of why Encanto is so good.
Alma sacrificed the love of her life to get her children to safety. That experience shaped everything about her story, from her fierce protectiveness of their casita to her treatment of her grandchildren. As Alma begins to suspect that the family magic is fading, her traumatic memories and fears return. She copes by micromanaging her grandchildren and their magical abilities.
It’s validating for anyone feeling trapped by family expectations
The Madrigal grandchildren feel overburdened by their grandmother’s sky-high expectations. Despite Isabela’s apparent confidence, we learn that her perfection is a facade. She feels trapped by the marriage Alma has arranged for her. Meanwhile, Luisa worries that if she can’t keep up her reputation as “the strong one,” she will let everyone down. “I’m worthless if I can’t be of service,” she says.
The main character, Mirabel–the only grandchild with no magical gift—is also super relatable. She tries her best to contribute and find her purpose despite her family’s narrow views. “I just want to do my part like the rest of the family,” she says. But Abuela Alma repeatedly tells her to stay out of the way. She is so marginalized that no one even notices when she is left out of the family photo during cousin Antonio’s gifting ceremony.
We think Maribel’s plight is particularly relatable to Latinos. There is this idea in Latine culture that it is your responsibility to do better than those who came before you, especially among immigrant families. Many Latino children are pressured to become successful doctors, lawyers, etc., or at the very least, marry into a prestigious family.
It’s a reminder of the enduring stigma around mental health issues
Many Latinos grew up in households where there was so much stigma around therapy that mental health issues weren’t discussed at home, let alone in public. Learn about why therapy is so stigmatized in the Latine community.
The dangers of stigma are revealed through Encanto’s much-beloved character Bruno, whose magical gift is foresight. His predictions aren’t always happy ones, to his family’s dismay. He also has strange, OCD-like rituals, such as always going through doorways backward and constantly knocking on wood. His powers and personality make people uncomfortable, so they cope by pretending he doesn’t exist. When Mirabel asks people about him, they repeatedly tell her, “We don’t talk about Bruno.”
His family’s treatment so hurts Bruno that he attempts to cope by isolating himself within the walls of the casita. He yearns to rejoin his family, watching through a crack as they eat their meals without him. Sadly, no one ever comes searching for him (except for Mirabel). His isolation and depression take a toll, evidenced by his prominent eye bags, unkempt appearance, and fondness for talking to rodents.
Bruno may be the most popular out of all of Encanto’s characters. At one point in the movie, Mirabel tries to reassure him with her comment that “Sometimes family weirdos just get a bad rap.” This comment seems to have struck a chord, with the quote now appearing on T-shirts, coffee mugs, phone cases, and countless other products. The film’s “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” song is also the first Disney track to top the Billboard Hot 100 in nearly twenty years.
It illustrates the power of connection
In the end, Mirabel forces her family to face their issues head-on. She challenges unhealthy behaviors and teaches them to embrace their authenticity, fears, and vulnerabilities. Although Mirabel doesn’t have any magic, she is perhaps the most gifted due to her unique ability to mend longstanding rifts within the family.
Thanks to Mirabel, Abuela Alma realizes that she has been too hard on her grandchildren and acknowledges that they are all special and loved, regardless of their magical abilities. She tells Mirabel that the miracle is not the magic they were given. “The miracle is you,” she says. They reconcile, and shortly after that, the family welcomes Bruno back into the fold. Their neighbors pitch in to help them rebuild their home (which toppled when their magic was lost). As the Madrigals reconnect to the power and strength of their family and community connections, their magic returns.
The takeaway message
Encanto’s message—that everyone has value regardless of their ability to live up to others’ standards—deeply resonates with us as Latina therapists. We also wholeheartedly agree that Latinos thrive when they stick together and support each other.
If you would like support from someone who understands Latinx issues, consider working with us. Our bilingual Latina therapists connect with patients in New York City and throughout the state via a secure online platform. Schedule a free consult to learn more about our virtual Latine therapy service.