“Encanto” directed by Byron Howard and Jared Bush released on Nov. 24, 2021. With a catchy soundtrack by Lin Manuel Miranda and amazing visuals by a team led by Renato dos Anjos and Kira Lehtomaki, Encanto won the Golden Globe Award for best feature animated film. 

The movie is about a woman, Mirabel, and her family, the Madrigals. The Madrigals all receive a gift when they come of age, a power of some sort. Yet, Mirabel is the only Madrigal who did not receive a gift. With the isolation Mirabel feels due to her lack of powers as well as the pressure the rest of the family feels due to their powers, there is the strain put on their family unity. 

Encanto delved into sensitive topics such as mental health, anxiety and immigrant trauma. While many people would quickly pin Mirabel’s grandmother, Alma, as the antagonist, the true beauty of this movie was the lack of a “villain.” Despite Alma’s role in causing pressure for her family, the song “Dos Oruguitas” makes the audience understand where she was coming from and the hardships she faced. The overarching themes of generational trauma and the suffering of refugees make the movie relatable to many people and families who have been displaced. 

While the movie did a great job of conveying sensitive topics, many feel that the storyline itself was not as captivating as it had the potential to be. Despite the gripping soundtrack, the plot was underwhelming and could have been more interesting causing higher audience engagement. 

Overall, the movie was able to touch sensitive topics entertainingly, making it extremely relevant to today’s generation. I believe that “Encanto” is the type of movie that each time you watch it, you will understand more of its implications and relevance in society. With no princess or villain, “Encanto” is a reflection of how far Disney has come.