Encanto: Breaking the Cycle of Generational Trauma

By Alice L. ‘25

Charming, light-hearted, and captivating in its execution, Encanto, Disney’s latest animated film, has received rave reviews from critics and moviegoers alike. Set in Colombia, the film follows the Madrigal family, whose members each have magical “gifts” — all except for Mirabel, the protagonist. When the magical house the Madrigals live in begins to collapse, it is up to Mirabel to seal the cracks — in her home and her family. 

Encanto captures the poignant experience that millions of Colombians underwent during La Violencia, a ten-year civil war displacing families and killing civilians. Telling the story of breaking generational trauma in immigrant families, Encanto encapsulates the countless layers that many families go through. The Journal by World Psychiatry defines generational trauma as trauma that isn’t just experienced by one individual but gets passed down to subsequent generations. Whether by choice, unconsciously, or from a lack of resources, generational trauma can be carried into relationships. By confronting this often overlooked and taboo subject, Encanto connects generations, appealing to adults and children alike. “‘People are seeing this movie and realizing they’re seeing themselves in it,’” says Kadesha Adelakun, a therapist interviewed by CNN. Many are first-generation children of immigrants who carry a weight: baggage from previous generations that they cannot unload. Embedded throughout Encanto’s catchy songs such as “Surface Pressure” and “What Else Can I Do,” viewers will notice that traces of generational trauma lie within every member of the Madrigal family. 

According to Melanie English, a licensed psychologist interviewed by Health, when someone breaks the cycle of generational trauma that they were born into, they are choosing to ensure that the generations that come after them won’t feel the pain that has persisted in the family up to that point. Mirabel is the first to set this example by confronting Abuela and the rest of the family about the emerging cracks in their casita — their home. At the end of Encanto, Abuela apologizes once she realizes the trauma she has passed on, with the Madrigals eventually reconciling. By setting boundaries, Mirabel breaks the chains of generational trauma; she helps her family heal and move past the cycle of trauma that has tormented them for three generations. 

Through its vibrant visuals, memorable characters, and catchy music Encanto tells a heart-warming tale, teaching us that it is possible to give healthy starts to future generations. Even if it means to go deeper into family relationships: starting over, picking everything up piece by piece — because although we aren’t in a Disney movie, it is possible to heal.