Film Theory: Yes, Mirabel DOES Have A Gift! (Encanto)

As someone who's never even seen Encanto, watching this made me realize that there's a lot more to these animated movies than meets the eye.

Also touching the door knobs is what gives each person their room. At the end mirabel touches the front door handle. So it's her house. Symbolically the new leader. Phenomenal movie

Adding onto this: we learn in the movie that Casita can't be controlled inside of the magical rooms. Mirabel is connected to Casita, but if she had a magic room she wouldn't have spent as much time with Casita.

“tHe GiFt wAs ThE fRiENdS wE mAdE aLoNg THE wAy!” his voice he had when saying that made me laugh 😂

That thing about Antonio having a door with his image as a kid on it could also be because, since because of Alma, right after their gift cerimonies, the 5-year-olds receiving the powers were pushed so hard and pressured so much that they had to become adults. Playtime was over, they had to work for the community. Thanks to Mirabel, instead, Antonio's life was different and he got to still be a kid, that's why he had a different door. I think this could make sense too.

not to mention, Mirabel can somehow understand the house perfectly, as though conversing with another human being. sure, there are situations where it indicates a certain statement or emotion, but she then manages to pick up a lot more from that than we can? fishy.

I feel like mirabel might also be able to make the family more powerful like how she helped bruno see that his visions can be deeper or how isabella can make more than flowers

the picture on the door actually grows with them

As the casita's chosen new leader, I imagine when Abuela dies, Mirabel will move from the nursery to Abuela's room.

Antonio's door has a different border, I'm surprised that wasn't brought up. Maybe a stronger clue that his gift was bestowed by Mirabel.

I’ve always thought this!! Especially considering how her door disappeared. It almost seems like it fades INTO Casita. Like it becomes one with it, symbolizing that her gift has something to do with her connection to the house and therefore, the magic. This is only proven more when, at the end of the movie, she puts the doorknob in, and indirectly gets a door. Her “room” is the house, because her gift is directly connected to Casita. Not to mention the details on the front door (which would have details about said door owner’s gift) now have all of the family members on it, in fairness, it could be interpreted as just who lives in the house, but I think it could be to do with the fact that Mirabel’s gift is the guardian for the miracle itself.

"Candlebearer" of the Madrigals. During one of the songs, we get an insight into Abuela's room - and it's completely normal! I think Mirabel didn't NEED a room as her "door" was the front door! (haven't watched the video yet.)

Dos Oruguitas (Two caterpillars). Was actually made to symbolize Abuela Almas and Abuelo Pedro's relationship two caterpillars that must move forward to build a better future for themselves and their children.

The most fun/interesting thing about this movie is that it felt like an adventure story, and it wasn't until a while after the ending for me to realize they didn't actually go anywhere.

Love this theory. I figured her gift would be to inherit the status of the family matriarch. Something else that supports this theory is in Bruno's vision it shows the house broken and fixed. They assumed that she could choose, but by the end of the movie. She has done both. Destroying the old home and creating a new one foundation and all. And the family giving her the doorknob is proof that they accept her position as leader of the household.

Ever since it came out, I've watched it more that 1,000 times, but the trailer for Encanto 2 shows something really interesting, i saw Mirabel's eyes were a glowing green, PLEASE DO A VID ON THIS!

I like how he says MADRIGALS like hes gru from encanto

Another detail about the butterflies: butterflies, in many hispanic cultures, symbolize family--more specifically, family that has passed on "visiting" their relatives who are still alive. This is super important to Abuela Alma's character because butterflies represent the presence of Abuelo Pedro in her life still, which is the true source of her family devotion.

I remember always pointing out that Antonio's door was different including the "frame" pattern. Being a tree instead of the little loops. So I'm glad to see it addressed here!

Mirabel also symbolizes the new style of leading the future generations. Abuela symbolizes the old leadership, controlling, protective but very organized and responsible. This is also reflected on her role and image to the town. Mirabel, as the new leader of the house and the town, will change it. She’s more fun, better at accepting new ideas and possibilities, likes to spend time with the kids, but might not be reliable because she cares about what people feel more than their responsibilities. I think the movie also tried to show us the leadership style differences from the older generations to the newer ones.