In Encanto, Mirabel and her family tackle with tangled traumas, blending generational wounds and personal struggles. Abuela, who is traumatized by Pedro’s death, decides to establish strict expectations for her daughters. She is driven by the fear that straying from these roles will lead to tragedy again. Unaware of her repetitive patterns, Abuela’s perfectionism stems from the haunting guilt surrounding Pedro’s death.
Bruno is exiled for foreseeing a prophecy of the family’s downfall. Abuela places the blame on him and then later on Mirabel. The family’s struggles embody broader societal issues, such as rigid gender roles and cultural policing. Rejecting or confining a family member inflicts both cultural and familial betrayals. The latter on mentioned previously is often more painful and damaging.
The consequences of Abuela’s restrictions manifest into the downfall of the Madrigal family members. The downfall is shown by the family members losing their power and the village’s decay. Mirabel, who doesn’t have any power compared to her family, emerges as the unlikely savior, driven by a desire to preserve the family despite feeling excluded and inferior. Her insecurities manifest in her speech and self-doubt, while Bruno embodies a meek, uncertain demeanor, both metaphorically and literally hiding behind walls.
The Disney-coded resolution swiftly mends familial bonds, but in reality, forgiveness and healing would likely be more vigorous. Trauma survivors recognize that familial bonds are not always impenetrable, and resolutions are often more complex and gradual than portrayed in the Disney ending of Encanto.