Disney’s newest animated movie Encanto has become a viral phenomenon due to its chart-topping music, colourful and intricate animation, and accurate representation of Latino communities. In addition, it has gained attention for its portrayal of generational trauma, told in a way that both children and adults can understand and relate to.
Encanto follows Mirabel, the only member of the Madrigals family who does not possess a magical gift––one that allows them to serve and protect their community. The community is made up of generations of people who had fled their homes many years ago due to conflict. The family is led by Abuela Alma, Mirabel’s grandmother, whose only priority is to protect the magic of their family and guarantee it lasts for generations to come.
Throughout the movie, Abuela neglects, gaslights and blames Mirabel for the steady downfall of her family because she only sees value in her family’s gift rather than themselves. The pressure to be perfect, to preserve the quality of life her grandparents had fought and sacrificed for begins to weigh on Mirabel, and we see her break over the course of the film.
This storyline is all too familiar for many first-generation immigrants: The overwhelming pressure to achieve what was previously deemed impossible for the past generations, traumatic circumstances, and having to constantly seek approval in order to feel successful.
Encanto perfectly depicts an often-unspoken topic: Generational trauma. The feeling of guilt due to the extreme sacrifices made by those before you. A burden you now carry throughout your life, trying to be perfect in every way to make up for it; to prove to them that it was all worth it. Your life, being the determining factor for your family’s “success,” is a burden that children of immigrants carry throughout their lives, often feeling unfulfilled and unhappy.
On the other hand, when first-generation children make life choices that please them but do not match their family’s definition of success, they are still left feeling selfish and unfulfilled. They are oftentimes ridiculed by their families and are labelled as disappointments who have “abandoned” them.
This rollercoaster of emotion is shown through each member of Mirabel’s family as they all struggle with the pressure of perfection and generational trauma, even when they do possess a magical gift. The film shows that, whether or not you choose to meet your family’s unrealistic expectations, emotional turmoil still exists within you.
Encanto portrays an incredibly realistic depiction of family; how love, comfort and warmth stem from it, but also overwhelming pressure and sadness. In the end, it is not about forgiving family but rather listening to them, understanding where they’re coming from, and more importantly, listening to yourself. Acknowledging your worth outside of pleasing everyone and meeting unrealistic standards will be your greatest strength when facing generational trauma.