By So here’s the thing: Disney’s Encanto isn’t just a story about magic. It’s about family, strength, and—wait for it—learning that you don’t need to have a superpower to be, well, super. Enter Mirabel Encanto. She’s the quirky, glasses-wearing underdog of the Madrigal family who’s often overlooked. But, spoiler alert: her real power isn’t in what she can’t do, but in the ways she brings her family together.
The Madrigal Family: A World of Magic and Mirabel’s “Non-Gift”
Alright, so the Madrigals live in this unbelievably magical house—like, things grow when they sneeze—and every one of them gets a cool magical gift. Except for Mirabel Encanto. She’s the odd one out. While everyone else has some supernatural ability (super strength, controlling the weather, making flowers bloom with a wave of their hands), Mirabel’s gift is… well, no gift at all.
But here’s the kicker: instead of sulking in the corner, Mirabel gets busy. She’s the glue of the family. The one who’s always ready with a joke or a helping hand. And she does it all without magic.
Why Mirabel’s “Non-Gift” Is Actually a Gift
Okay, I’m not saying her lack of magic makes her better than the rest of the family (though, that would be a cool twist), but it kind of does. Let me explain. When everyone else is caught up in their magical gifts—who’s the one noticing the cracks in the house? Who’s the one saying, “Hey, this might be a problem”? Yup. It’s Mirabel Encanto.
She sees what the others can’t—or won’t—see. It’s like that one friend who can tell you’re about to make a terrible decision, but they say it just in time to prevent you from making a mess of things. (We all have one of those friends, right?)
The Big Discovery
Fast forward past three failed attempts at fixing the house, Mirabel starts to realize something. The family’s magic isn’t just about the powers—it’s about the emotional weight they carry. And guess who’s the only one who can see it? Yep. Mirabel Encanto. Talk about a plot twist.
The Family’s Secret: Cracks Beneath the Surface
I don’t know if you’ve ever lived in a house that’s falling apart (my old apartment’s pipes were a whole saga), but the Madrigal family’s home? It’s slowly cracking—literally. And Mirabel Encanto? She’s the first one to notice. While the rest of the family is busy flexing their powers, she sees the cracks, the tension, the things no one wants to admit.
It’s like this weird mix of the magical and the human. You need nitrogen-rich soil—wait, no, was it potassium? Let me Google that again. Anyway, it’s not just about the house falling apart; it’s about the family’s emotional foundation crumbling. And Mirabel Encanto is the only one who can call it out.
Rebuilding More Than a House: Mirabel’s Role in Family Healing
Here’s the thing about Mirabel Encanto: while everyone else is trying to keep up with their magical gifts and perfect images, she’s the one doing the real work. She’s the one calling her family out on their BS. “Hey, you’re hiding your pain behind that perfect smile,” or “You don’t have to carry the weight of the world, you know?”
And then she does something incredible: she gets everyone talking. Through awkward conversations, hilarious moments, and some much-needed heart-to-hearts, she helps her family heal.
Quick Rundown: How Mirabel Heals the Family
- Luisa starts to understand that it’s okay to be weak sometimes (even superheroes need a nap).
- Isabela realizes she doesn’t need to be perfect all the time—being “good enough” is, in fact, awesome.
- Abuela—who, let’s be real, really needed a hug—comes to terms with her past fears and starts to let go of control.
- And Bruno? Well, let’s just say the family’s finally ready to welcome him back from his “exile” under the stairs. (I mean, who wouldn’t want to be reconnected after a secret psychic retreat?)
Mirabel’s Real Magic: Emotional Intelligence
I mean, it’s kind of obvious, right? Mirabel’s real power is in her emotional intelligence. Think about it: she’s the one who sees through all the tough exteriors, all the magic tricks, and realizes that her family’s biggest gift isn’t their powers—it’s their ability to love, forgive, and grow.
Her power? It’s not magic. It’s the way she shows up for people. She doesn’t need a flower to grow out of her hand to make things right. She just needs her big heart, some patience, and a whole lot of perseverance. Can I get an “Amen”?
A Glimpse of Mirabel’s Power: The Doorknob
Okay, here’s the part that gets me. Near the end of the movie, when the Casita falls apart, Mirabel Encanto is given a doorknob. I mean, yeah, it’s just a doorknob, right? But in her hands, it’s this beautiful symbol of her role in the family. This doorknob represents the heart of the Madrigals. And when she places it on the door, the magic does come back—because she’s the one who holds it all together. Talk about a full circle moment.
Mirabel Encanto: The Hero We Didn’t Know We Needed
I gotta admit, when I first saw Mirabel, I thought, “Okay, this girl’s just a background character, right?” But nope. Fast forward a bit, and here she is, holding her family together with nothing but her heart. And y’know what? That’s honestly more heroic than any magical power.
The best part? She’s real. We’ve all felt like we weren’t enough. Like we didn’t have that one “thing” that made us special. But Mirabel shows us that being there for the people you love—without needing to have super strength, or make flowers bloom out of thin air—is a kind of magic too.
Why We All Need a Mirabel in Our Lives
Look, I know it’s just a movie. But Mirabel Encanto teaches us real lessons. In a world that constantly tells us we need to be the best, the brightest, and the most successful, she reminds us that ordinary is enough. Her superpower isn’t in what she does—it’s in who she is.
And hey, if Mirabel can save the family with just love, patience, and some seriously awkward dance moves, I think we can all manage, right?
A Final Thought
I don’t know about you, but Encanto left me thinking about all the ways I undervalue myself—like when I tried to keep my plants alive and they all… well, didn’t. RIP, my first herb garden. Seriously though, Mirabel’s story is a reminder that even without any flashy gifts, we’ve all got something powerful inside us. Whether it’s love, determination, or the ability to make a mean batch of cookies, that’s the kind of magic that matters.