What Is Abuela’s Gift? | Encanto Film Theory

[@SuperCarlinBrothers]

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[@satsujin-shathewitchkingof6185]

Does Mirabell remember Bruno? I mean,she was five when she got her gift,right? Surely she'd have some memory. Also,she has a big connection to Bruno,she's the only vision we know he's had that's been in two different futures,she has colours from everyone in the family,she's between both sides of the family in the opening song and she's the one who finds him,he's even the one who says “The real miracle,kid,is you". Like,it's a weird level of connection,her power could even be changing the future (I mean,how would the magic create a room for that? Especially with Bruno leaving,there's no way to see the future and grow your power).

[@JangoGod]

The magic of the candle gives them their power, but the sentient house is Pedro...think about it; gave off MAJOR grandad energy the whole movie.

[@harryskywalker6814]

Thought: What if the guards who killed Pedro were from Corona-Rapunzel’s kingdom-and they were looking for a cure for the Queen, or even the flower in particular. This would put Encanto many years into the future compared to Tangled, but it could be a connection.

[@ranger_lord8725]

Can you do more Hogwarts founders Sims 4?

[@Oratnik88]

correct me if I am wrong, but aren't Abuela and Mirabel the only ones thta can command Casita to make things? I know the house can act by itselft, but only they talk with the house.

[@BlueCanary7]

Howard Ho's analysis of "We Don't Talk about Bruno" describes Abuela Alma as the conductor of the orchestra, who plays no instrument herself, but keeps them all in time. Mirabel is the next conductor. Seems exactly right to me!

[@maddie9602]

Yeah, I like that theory too. She doesn't have a power because the candle has designated her as Abuela's successor. When Abuela passes, she'll take over her old room and become the new head of the family.

[@MeghanClark825]

Loved Howard's video! ❤️🎶

[@acemaster1877]

@@maddie9602 But until then? Is she stuck in the nursery? I feel like the house is banking on Abuela kicking the bucket soon(ish).

[@rainynight02]

I literally just watched that video then noticed this video has been uploaded...

[@crafty4722]

Same

[@MunchyMakesStuff]

So here's a fun thought The reason that Abuela and everyone else in the family were afraid of Bruno is that he was telling the future. He was trying to push them toward it. But they also didn't want to go out of the cocoon Her seeing Bruno and embracing him so happily in the end is her literally embracing what the future holds

[@yawninglion1677]

Yeah, I was thinking that too. Her attitude has a lot of implications as to why she didn't like Bruno.

[@Kakuyawolf3456]

No... 😢 I need my heart... I feel bad for both now

[@melissaadams873]

What if he was the gentle reminder before Casita chose not to give Mirabel a power to teach Abuela a lesson?

[@maxe381]

In the end, when Mirabel’s parents are singing and her dad says “She takes after you,” I didn’t think much of it. But the 100,000th time I watched it (lol) I realized her mother heals people, and that maybe her dad was calling Mirabel a type of healer (taking after her mom) because she healed the family ❤️❤️

[@andreasbygge6842]

woaah! THat is crazy! and absolutly correct. The mom does physical healing and Mirabel does emotional healing!

[@sou9472]

IIRC, there was another line sung by Julieta after Agustins line "she heals better than I could" or something similar but it was cut

[@MegaKhelditia]

I love how it also reverses a probable in-world assumption, that Mirabel got her powerlessness from Augustine. Or rude comments about accidents.

[@melodie-allynbenezra8956]

That is a glorious way to think about it.

[@DonMachado]

I thought so too. The final piece was when she took Abuela's hands while they were standing in the river and reminded her of all she had done for the family. The healing between Abuela and Mirabel solidified the foundations of the family once again!

[@mlilejay8698]

This theory is furthered by the fact that Mirabel initially sets out to save the miracle, and every time she approaches a family member, it's in pursuit of that mission, but she IMMEDIATELY casts it aside once she realised the deep seated anxieties and trauma they all hold... she's just there to hype up her family, and in turn that is how she revives the miracle after repairing those bonds...

[@jonathanfranco8547]

Spot on!

[@patriciaviles4033]

This is in direct contrast to how Abuela tries to preserve the miracle. She turns to the past, asks the spirit of her husband for help, and each time she interacts with a family member she pushes him or her to maintain the façade at all costs, to resist changing, to hold on too tightly and that’s what keeps them trapped. Mirabel sets them free.

[@BabyGirlTiny]

But she doesn’t really do that. Whenever she faced her family members they sang a song without Mirabel asking them about themselves. Luisa only sung surface pressure because Mirabel was asking about the miracle. Isabela only sings why else can I do because Mirabel made her so made she made a cactus. Mirabel doesn’t actually get to the root of her sisters problems, they just come up without Mirabel doing anything to bring it up

[@hadrianhexe9603]

@@BabyGirlTiny Yes she does, yes she starts off wanting to save the mirable but over the course of the songs, you can see that Mirabel pushed Luisa to be more vurnerable around her and tried to make her realize she shouldn't do everything alone and she also reassured Isabella that it was ok to not be perfect and just do what she loves, she completely forgets about the miracle and simply tries to support her sisters.

[@Jlnkht]

I love the symbolism of Mirabel’s door being the front door, celebrating the entire family. But the 15 year old girl has been living in the NURSERY her entire life, which she had to share with her younger cousin UNTIL HE WAS GRANTED A ROOM. Come on Casita, give the girl a private place where the non-magic could happen…!

[@acemaster1877]

Thank you! That's what I've been saying! Mirabel gets a house but still has to stay in a twin-sized bed in a tiny room...

[@Kelarys]

exactly this! I was so disappointed that the movie ended without giving closure on that aspect of where she's going to sleep from now on? Give my girl a real room ffs, she's freaking earned it

[@cbgaming7209]

I like to think when rebuilding Casita they gave Mirabel a room. Cuz when you build something you can add a room or two if you want.

[@SYKRAL1]

I like to think that there was a second “nursery” built. This one being for the next generation of the candle holder. So that would become mirabel’s room and when abuela dies her door changes to reflect mirabel and she moves in.

[@jacintacapelety9600]

To be fair, it doesn't seem like Casita's in charge of creating rooms. Mirabel translates that Casita can't help inside of someone's room (or at least not Bruno's, which, small tangent here, *could* have something to do with his door not glowing, which I personally interpret as symbolic of him not being seen as a member of the family anymore, by the family or himself, but I think it would still make sense if the limitation of Casita not being able to interact with rooms applied to everyone. A sort of extra layer of privacy). Casita's a creation of the candle, so while Casita is shown to be capable of manipulating it's existing rooms (outside of the glowing door rooms), the candle seems to create the rooms, not Casita, so if the candle says no, it's outside of Casita's power to add a new one. I think if Casita could have added a room for Mirabel, it would have. That being said, I think it speaks to just how insensitive the family was that they didn't add on a room for Mirabel the old fashioned stone and mortar way, but I suppose it's possible that they thought physically adding on a room in a non-magical way might have somehow hurt Casita (I mean, for a sentient magical house that usually creates all of it's new rooms through magic, I feel like adding a non-magic room could be seen kinda like the structural equivalent of surgically stitching on a Franken-limb).

[@jhardman1876]

What I didn't fully appreciate until this video with all the closeups of Mirabel's dress is that it looks like all of her decor is embroidered (most likely by her!). Can't you just imagine her staying up late to make sure everything looks exactly the way she wants it because that's how much she loves and honors her family? oh, mi corazón

[@hillrp1]

I'm pretty sure it was implied she did her own embroidery. She specifically says she made Antonio's stuffed animal, so I think she's just a very crafty person. Kind of a soame we didn't get to see too much of it in the movie, but... you know. Lot's of stuff happening. Makes sense. Not a lot of time to sit down and do some casual quilting while the family miracle is fading.

[@DEATHFIFR190]

We can even see a sewing machine in the corner of the room too

[@rodjohn1991]

I think 'Sewing and Embroidery' is her training ground from the start so as to become the one who will sew their family together. Emblems of gifts on her dress signifies that she really loves her family a lot and loves being part of that magically amazing family.

[@BlueCanary7]

"[Pedro's] sacrifice was so that the family could be. Abuela honors his sacrifice. Mirabel honors the family" Ooooh.... okay, that is _very_ well put. And so well illustrated with their actions, their outfits, the symbols on their doors... Excellent stuff, J! 👏

[@riduanaqil1452]

Yeah this is one of the good ones

[@saraha.9837]

The charm is called a chatelaine and it’s also a symbol of her leadership role because normally the person who has the chatelaine is the one in charge because they have the keys or ways of getting anywhere one needs to go in the house

[@BabyMieuw]

Thank you! This needs to be highlighted more often!

[@silviasellerio728]

Abuela literally "carries the flame", that's what you see on her door - she's pressured to be perfect too, because of her huge survivor's guilt. Notice how she's so completely identified with her role that her door says "Abuela", not her actual name (which was, according to the producers, Alma, meaning "soul" - so she kind of lost her soul and identity to become just Abuela)

[@elleengel873]

I wonder what was standing on the door before she became grandmother (the literal translation of abuela).

[@merlin4real]

Not taking anything away from your insight, but I think the door is able to change if your identity changes. I think her door probably says abuela because that's what every living person in her life calls her. Those who had a lot of pressure on them to make good responsible use of their gift had adult versions of themselves on the door, but the one who was allowed to be a kid and live in that identity had his child self on the door. Also when Bruno no longer used his gift and hid from his family his identity to most of them is that he was gone, so his room began to atrophy. I wonder if Dolores was unable to hear that he was still around if the tower would have fallen much earlier. Hearing him scuttle through the walls might have kept it proped up.

[@uhhggg9335]

No

[@elastico8576]

Abuelas gift is the Miracle. She was gifted with the Miracle (Candle) and has a special connection to the candle. I assume that that's it, perhabs Mirabel will be the next candle guardian since she also has a special connection to the candle. Maybe that is why she didn't get a door, her gift is officially still taken and she will get Abuelas room in the future.

[@oursunflowerliving]

Love this idea

[@-MVP-]

In the song Dos Oruguitas, when the lyrics: "En dos capullos" (which means "inside two cocoons") are sung, thats when Abuela puts on the black shawl for the first time. So it does represent the cocoon. 🤯

[@majaw3671]

I can see the character designers at Disney watching this video and being like finally the hard work paid off, someone noticed the little clues and meanings on the clothing

[@AshleysAdvice]

This was the impression I got when I first watched the film, that Mirabelle and her grandmother are essentially one in the same, when Mirabelle grows up she’ll take the post of the grandmother once the grandmother passes, continuing to keep the magic alive and protect the family, her door is the house door she’s in charge of the house and the magic and her family, I could be wrong but that was my interpretation of what was happening, that Mirabelle’s gift was the magic she is an extension of the magic, but she is an actually have a gift herself, just like the grandmother which I think is really cool!

[@CAJ100]

I thought the same, and they showed it in little ways - like how Mirabelle takes after Abuela and has the same little catch phrase: "let's go, let's go". (Mirabelle in "The Family Madrigal" song, and Abuela at breakfast).

[@AshleysAdvice]

@@CAJ100 Yes exactly, they were just little hints throughout the film that show Mirabelle’s connection to her grandmother and the house itself, hinting that even though they may not have literal powers, their power is the power of family and keeping the magic alive.

[@jaedenbell4191]

I have thought this ever since my second watch of Encanto. Mirabel is the candle as I always say it because when she's happy the candle burns brighter and the magic is stronger (her hugging Isabela after getting over their differences), and when she's having sad or angry emotions the candle faulters (singing waiting on a miracle is the first time the cracks are seen and the magic fully disappears when she is venting to Abuela and finally yells it's dying because of you). Bruno's vision shows her in front of the casita with it breaking and repaired both because it breaks and she's the one that makes them put it back together and because her being the candle is what brings the magic back. When Mirabel says she sees herself in all of me she means herself and her family as a part of her, that's why she can re-spark the magic because of the backing of her family in who she is.

[@zahnngweetao9980]

extremely interesting theory there. Nice job👍

[@coolnerdlll6053]

I like to think she never had a gift because that furthers her connection with Mirabel at the end. And it serves as a contrast because Abuela's envy of the others having gifts got in her head whereas it didn't with Mirabel.

[@dinosaurearthsociety5377]

I thought she just didnt have on because she wasnt actually a kd and didnt go through the door process thing

[@abrahamo2895]

@@dinosaurearthsociety5377 same

[@z-herb8006]

Abuela wasn't envy, she just had high expectations because her partner died to give them that gift and she didn't want to squander it Mirabel was meant to show her that the family is more then the gift also the fact Abuela doesn't have powers and Mirabel also doesn't makes me think Mirabel is the next head of the house, after all she helps everyone

[@suzanneruege4364]

Upon listening to the soundtrack (yet again), Abuela says in the opening song "each new generation must keep the miracle burning". It is a pretty blatant confirmation of this theory. If you notice, Abuela's whole solo in the opening song has the same melody as the "to navigate a world that turns and never stops turning" section in Dos Oruguitas. Rather brilliant to bring that melodic theme full circle.

[@MercuryA2000]

I thought much the same. Abuella's gift was the miracle itself. Mirabel may not be special, but I imagine she's the next matriarch of the madrigals. I was personally headcanoning that she had a room now, but I do like the idea that the front door is her door. I wonder if Casita will make her move into Abuella's room though.

[@ladyamberskye]

OK I agree with all of this but also....ALL the doors are glimmering inside at the end like they had to be reclaimed. I need a theory about their doors changing. Someone said that the director said Mirabel does get a door at the end we just don't see it. They purposely left the doors simmering like before they touch it for the first time.

[@locabsgg94]

I thought that as well, cause I found it odd that we see them all get their powers back but none of the doors had their picture. Been thinking they get to choose what side of the house they get to have their room at. Like we know Bruno's Tower but what if he wanted a room next to the kitchen instead

[@Kakuyawolf3456]

@@locabsgg94 or Juleta wants that room lol the first sibling fight of the new generation...

[@locabsgg94]

@@Kakuyawolf3456 That would be hilarious

[@JordChord]

I'm sure someone has mentioned this already but I think the movie showed us exactly why Mirabel didn't get a gift. After letting go of the candle but before touching her doorknob, she wipes her hands on her dress. Putting the Encanto in herself. When she falters, the Encanto falters. When she thrives, the Encanto thrives. Just my two cents.

[@Tatjana_L.]

Abuela also said "I'm sorry I held on too tight" in "All of You", which I didn't quite understand previously, but now do -- she held on too tight regarding her past with Pedro, and she's sorry she didn't value her present. The movie is simply amazing

[@fitzofrage5292]

Mirabel.... Mariposa.... Butterfly. I always thought Mirabel's power was as the keeper of Casita while Abuela was the keeper of the flame. Casita really interacts with her more than any other and even at the collapse, pushes others away while still trying to help Mirabel.

[@aki-senkinn]

I think Casita is a manifestation of the miracle itself -> safety and protection for the family. So being keeper of the miracle and being keeper of Casita would be the same thing.

[@kelliontamason2009]

I agree

[@rodjohn1991]

In deeper sense, keeper of the family.

[@moviehermit5631]

When I rewatched the movie, I realized just how much of Abuela's dialogue I didn't fully pay attention to. She's always talking about the duties to the Encanto, what jobs the family should complete, always directing them to the next task. The day after Antonio gets his gift, she's already talking about finding ways to put his gift to use

[@kiddingkhatt1804]

I feel like mirabele,is the 2nd version of abuela. She wasn’t “given” a gift, but she was, kind of, her gift was to be the better version of abuela, whose power is the house/butterfly. Mirabele was chosen by the house to be the butterfly, which is why everything is on her dress. The butterfly was what made the house and the family, that was ultimately summoned by the love that Pedro gave, and when everything was starting to fall apart around mirabele age, the house decided to make her the new butterfly, to refix everyone. She doesn’t have a gift, she is a gift, a gift given down to everyone, and to be the new butterfly. Ultimately, mirabele is the gift, so if you had to say she had a gift, you could only say that her gift is the power of healing and fixing, and that is what she did.

[@danielberryjr007]

whose*

[@ashleybryie5817]

Love this theory. And I like that you said it was more like a "job" instead of a "gift" as a big part of the movie theme is that one can be special even without a gift.

[@Kahtisemo]

Especially since Abuela unfortunately seems to treat it as a job too. Her job is to keep everyone in line so the magic can stay strong but she says in their opening song she feels like they have to earn the miracle not realizing it was given to them.

[@AdamIshak01]

“In a beautiful and humble moment, I think Mirabel is finally celebrating someone she hasn’t- herself” OUFF THIS HIT ME TOO HARD AS IF LUSIA TOSSED A WEIGHT AT ME

[@irisa198]

It reminded me of how hard she avoided talking about herself in the Family Madrigal song. I thought she just didn't want to admit to not having a gift, but she talked about all sorts of non-magical people in the song - so I guess the real reason she avoided singing about herself was because deep down she didn't believe there was anything to celebrate about herself at all. And when she does sing about herself in Waiting For A Miracle, it's all about wanting to change and being different than she is. I didn't notice just HOW low her self-esteem must've been until this video. The significance of receiving the love of her family and "seeing herself in turn" at the end hits so much harder now.

[@AdamIshak01]

@@irisa198 It’s small details but impactful ones- especially when you yourself as a viewer have low self esteem. Like how she tries to make herself useful like decorating the house for Antonio’s gift ceremony, but even though it’s Antonio’s night, she still makes gifts for Lusia, Isabella, Abuela, so they don’t ever feel left out because she believes everyone is worth celebrating while showing/making sure her family knows that she loves them, because she knows how it feels to be left out and not as loved - not necessarily by everyone in her family cause her parents have always supported her; they literally spoke to her about how they love her the way she is gift or no gift as she was grabbing materials from the kitchen to make said gifts- but not loving or appreciating yourself. That one hurt me personally cause I know the feeling- always treating people how you want to be treated so they never experience that emptiness or void and maybe eventually they’ll mirror or mimic your kindness. Robin Williams said it best: “I think the saddest people always try their hardest to make people happy because they know what its like to feel absolutely worthless”. Her mom Julieta tells her all the time (well whenever she was on screen) how she loves her cause she’s perfectly herself. Mirabel is her daughter and all she cares about is her being safe and healthy, and her dad who has never had a gift always reminds her she has nothing to prove, and Mirabel herself says throughout the movie “I’m as special as the rest of my family”. Problem was she just tolerated everything so the days can go by quicker, like if she said it enough times she’ll eventually believe it. She didn’t believe it until she got the love she rightfully deserved and that was a bittersweet realization 🥲

[@Jimmyd2107]

10:03 Just want to point out that the ability not to cry does not mean you are made of stronger stuff than anyone else; there is definitely strength in tears. I will always advocate for crying, it’s so so cathartic and essential to us as emotional beings ;) ☺️👍

[@harryskywalker6814]

While watching, I thought the candle was connected to Abuela and she was dying, which caused the cracks in the house and worry in Abuela. Obviously I was wrong, but I had myself CONVINCED!

[@reganbrannigan3006]

Nah she was so nasty she needed some sort of redemption

[@harryskywalker6814]

@@reganbrannigan3006 I think they could have done it in a way where she was fearing her death and what would happen to the family, which caused her negative mood and mission to preserve the magic. But I like the way it ended better.

[@mannyoftheeast3318]

I thought that would be the twist as well, but clearly they didn't do that because it's too cliche. Lol

[@ozziefire9576]

I normally don’t cry during movies, but that final scene has made me cry every time I rewatch it.

[@dcanom321]

Fun fact, the ponchos are called ruanas (basically the same thing, it’s just a Colombian poncho) but in Colombia they’re called ruanas. Source: born and raised in Colombia.

[@the_paradox_kid1831]

This is the exact theory I had after watching the movie for the first time, awesome to see someone else had the same idea! Personally, I really hope that Disney sees all the love the movie is getting now that it's on D+ and gives us a Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure style series where we can see more of the town and get to know some of the Madrigals with less screen time.

[@esajpsasipes2822]

i want another movie

[@chloemorrison2343]

I love the idea of it being an honour to not get a gift and be keeper of the magic. Very cute :)

[@loverofgamingvids3762]

You have a subscription from me. I love the idea of the family no longer seeing not getting a gift as a bad thing, but instead a huge honor. They realize that that is their next family leader, their next guardian of not only the magic but the household. It makes sense because before Mirabel there was only one other keeper of the magic and no one ever thought about who would be the next. Maybe they even have a front door follow-up ceremony for the front doorknob after they don't receive a gift after a few generations pass.

[@RodneshaGreen]

I love this explanation and I agree 100%. This was way I couldn’t get on board with Ben’s video about Mirabel being magicless not being specific and intentional to her - I believe it did have to her for this and other reasons. I also LOVE the idea that the future keeper of the magic could be twins or triplets - I see it as a way for the burden to be balanced rather than solely on one person’s shoulders.

[@lazersword3]

To me, the reason why a door appears for Mirabel when she turns 5 shows that she is magical. However the door does not fully form due to Abuela not being ready to trust in the family, and therefore is not ready to pass on the candle to the next barer which only comes at the end of the film . I also like the idea of the room/ that Bruno is hiding/camped out in would have been the remnants left over from when Mirabel room faded away (hence why most of the cracks in the house appear in the passage way between family rooms, and the inhibitor of this room who’s job is to fix the cracks who temporarily is Bruno is taking on the burden to fix the cracks the only way he knows how with plaster/render), being located next to the family dining space being the heart of the home and family is so fitting for her personality and inclusiveness of the family, while being another way of how Mirabel is caring and looking after the family with what would have been her room being the safe haven and place of connection between her and Bruno. To me the cracks symbolise the rift between both Abuela & Mirabel. As a result of Abuela not being ready to let go and pass the candle on, and Mirabel not getting her door, Abuela strives for perfection from the rest of the family in order to keep what she believes the magic alive. When Antonio gets his gift, Abuela believes everything to be restores and for her to have understood correctly striving for perfection which ultimately results in more cracks through not acknowledging Mirabel or the role she played in Antonio getting his door and Mirabel showing that she is capable of taking on the responsibility as custodian. This intern results in the family pressures building to breaking point, the family dynamic being off with each other or hating one another for merely existing resulting in the Casita eventually crumbling apart. The rebuilding of Casita shows that each of the family members have learnt to appreciate one another, see each other for what they are and build a new foundation for their family to go on into the future rather than just mending the cracks and putting on a facade to please Abuela. When the front door glows at the end I like to think this symbolises the passing on of the candle, releasing Abuela of her duty and showing the family is accepting of the new custodian of the house and a family finally united. As a result of this I feel that with the front door glowing the house would also have restored the first cracks with what would have been Mirabel’s room (brunos hiding space) and Mirabel finally having a room of her own… However I think it would be kind of cool for this door to be a non-magical door and be a plain door as it shows before the ceremony.

[@imjustelm]

the idea of the door disappearing being a sign of the child becoming the next keeper of the candle is so beautiful 🥺 celebrating it instead of highlighting their lack of powers PLS

[@annakaro9081]

I absolutely agree, and I also noticed a couple of things. First, in the very first scene of the film, Abuela talks to Mirabel, shortly before Casita uses a clock to remind them that it's time to go. Later, when Antonio is hiding under the bed, Mirabel is the one who knows he's there and talks to him about it, until Casita uses the same method to urge them to go. I think it not only symbolizes that Mirabel subconsciously, without meaning to, or even realising, is starting to replace Abuela as a leader, but also shows that she is a completely different leader. ("Make your family proud" vs. "You have nothing to worry about. You're gonna get your Gift and open that door, and it's gonna be the coolest ever. I know it.) Second, in the same scene, she gives Antonio a gift in a box, that has drawings of toucan, capybara and jaguar on it, and has a plush jaguar inside. She understands her cousin, and therefore is able to feel what his gift is. ("I know you're an animal guy...") She also has animals on her skirt to represent Antonio even before he got his gift, showing that she didn't wait for the door to tell her what is her cousin's true strength, she knew if from getting along with him. Third, Bruno's second vision ended on Mirabel embracing Isabella, even though it also showed the butterfly and the destruction that would happen later. I feel like that's because accepting Isa as a family member who needs her just as much as everyone else was the last step on MIrabel's journey to be qualified for her role and the end of her personal growth for the film. It could easily have been the end of all problems. If Abuela recognized that Mirabell is a new leader for the next generation of gifted Madrigals, who makes them and the magic stronger and brighter and yielded the candle to Mirabel, then the magic would get strengthened and all cracks - repaired. But even though Mirabel's journey ended, Abuela's didn't - she was still hiding in the cocoon and refusing to see the ever-changing world around her. She couldn't let go of something she guarded tirelessly for 50 years and pass it to a 15-y-o. This led to the destruction of the Casita and subsequent scenes, some of which were in the vision. But that wasn't Mirabel's story anymore - it was Abuela's time to leave the cocoon.

[@sherimeinburg3066]

Not sure if any one else noticed, but once Mirabel Restores the magic, the ONLY door that has any members of the Family on it is the Front Door. All the Room doors are Glowing again but they are blank. Frustratingly, as the camera passes by those doors, when it get's to Mirabel's room, it pans down so we never see if the Nursery door was transformed....Someone should do a Theory about that...

[@Daniel-ix6nq]

Not only are they blank, but when abuela was the keeper of the magic they only glowed one color... golden, for her butterfly. But the glow of the magic is not just golden when Casita is restored. There's also Green glows (for Bruno's branch of the family), the cooler Purples and Blues (for julieta's branch of the family), and some Reds and Oranges too (for pepa's branch of the family). To me, this Signifies that Mirabel has officially become the magic keeper. Because the magic, much like her dress, reflects a focus on the whole family.

[@sherimeinburg3066]

@@Daniel-ix6nq Ohh nicely spotted. Now I have to go back and look for that.

[@PudgeySeal]

Side note! Notice the embroidery on Mirabel's dress? It's imperfect and looks very hand done. I think Mirabel did it herself, purposefully incorporating her entire family into the design

[@reececollett2011]

This is so cool! When me and my girlfriend watched Encanto for the second time, we were literally talking about this actual thing - the fact that they actually do have a power to maintain the magic and its so awesome to see that you guys agree with the cool little details I didnt even think about haha! Love your videos guys, you are awesome!

[@momoeast1122]

I was waiting for this video. That was my conclusion, too. If they make a second, I would want it to be about Mirabel being a grandma with all of her cousins and sisters.

[@forestgrump4723]

Maybe the kid flees because Mirabel is just so good at encouraging and helping everyone and that’s a lot to live up to. They feel like they can never be like Mirabel and the lesson is that they don’t have to be. There are many ways to support people and they don’t have to do it just like Mirabel. They have to do it like THEY would.

[@cande182]

one theory i would like for you guys to explore is whether the magical doors are in monster inc or since they're magical they're not, like what if little mirabel, since she is in the nursery, said that there were monsters visiting her and the rest of the family were like sure jan (sorry if anything is mispelled english is not my first language)

[@susanhoch2677]

I had a thought about possibly including the five senses in the gifts and miracle. I feel like each gift is aligned with one of the five senses and when Bruno- who has the sense of sight- is missing, the family is out of balance? Not sure if it fits or if it is a stretch.

[@littlemissmel88]

I know the feeling. We listen to Pandora constantly and when they started playing Encanto my son was so against listening to it, the moment it came on he wanted to change it. I said he needed to give it a chance, especially because Moana is his favorite. He finally listened to it and we watched the movie and now all we listen to and sing is Encanto. Mission accomplished!

[@sparkasaurusdonna]

I totally agree, and Mirabel has so much empathy and compassion for her family members. her outlook on the magic is healthier and grounded in love instead of fear.

[@Me-wk3ix]

I just thought of something. If being the magic holder is a gift or job, it's like a coin, and Mirabel and Abuela are two essential sides of that coin. Abuela was harsh and made some mistakes, but she wasn't totally wrong in everything she believed. She looked at the bigger picture or, the constellation if you will. That is important sometimes. In families, there are hard choices, sacrifices, and hard work for the sake of the unit. That's all being part of a group of people that love each other. I don't think Mirabel saw that until the end at the river when she really saw what happened the night her grandfather died. Mirabel was the other side of the coin. She saw the stars more than constellations. She saw the family as individuals in their own right with their own desires and personalities. Abuela couldn't see the value of that until the house fell apart. I even think of these opposing ideas when I see their rooms facing each other on opposite ends of the house. In the end, the problem was that Abuela's view wasn't countered enough, and became toxic over time. Miribel was needed to balance it and to do that she had to become empowered within the family, but not the type of power that can come from magic.

[@callummackinnon2900]

I have a theory that it’s not so much powers as it is gifts - the miracle gives them what they need: Abuela needed protection so it gave her a safe place, Antonio a was a bit isolated so it gave him animal friends, Mirabel was at her best loving her family and enjoying the house’s powers so it didn’t isolate her from all that. Maybe Bruno was super paranoid so it gave him vision of the future, perhaps Julieta was always worrying about those around her so it gave her a way to help them, maybe Camilo struggled to fit in so it gave him the ability to literally fit in anywhere, etc

[@allisonromeromosquera4804]

About the shawl representing that Abuela's mourning hasn't stopped, reminds me of my great-great grandmother who according to my grandma always wore black because of the death of her husband and my grandma says that she never ever saw her wear any colors. So yeah, Colombian abuelas will just do that

[@BlackEyedkoala]

When they hugged and the butterflies surrounded them that was definitely a passing of power if I ever saw one

[@SarahUndomiel]

Alma's dress also has the mountains which surround the Encanto on it which I never see anyone talking about - the mountains which protect them from the outside like a cocoon.

[@shimonavichay]

Exactly my theory! I already thought about it! I just waited for you to upload a video about it and you didn't disappoint. Thank you!

[@blakehagberg293]

I think it is interesting how Abuela's door pictures her old. Has it always been like this or did the door adapt to her? I also noticed on Antonio's door that he is pictured as a child.

[@meanpfahler]

I think the doors grow to reflect their current ages.

[@OrangeJoshi]

Yeah, birthday parties on families like Madrigal's are a big thing. I wouldn't be surprised if doors updated once a year.

[@esajpsasipes2822]

they made a video about it. spoilers: their pictures on the walls disprove these theories

[@kayleebug5347]

Unfamiliar opinion/ theory of mine… during the Dos Oruguitas song, Abuela says something interesting. She says ‘I asked my Pedro for help. Maribel, he sent me you’. So I think … Maribel is Abuela’s gift. Cue the tears. After I decided on this theory, I had my forth pass of the movie (this time in Spanish) and I cried almost the entire time. So many little moments I didn’t notice before of Maribel essentially helping Abuela with her ‘role’- helping the family, specifically those with powers with understanding them and being able to better control them.

[@amo3962]

i always assumed that abuela being the candle holder and usually having commands for the casita was her gift. she controlled the house and has responsibility for it and this gift was something that needed to be down passed onto generations as the casita was the first gift. that is why when the new house is formed and mirabel puts on the doorknob and the magic returns, mirabel in the middle with abuela beside her represents her being the next head of the house. so im glad u agree with the theory! i also realised when the house was breaking down as mirabel and abuela's fight was happening, , that throughout the film, the house broke down as mirabel felt insecure with her relationships in her family and healed when she fixed her most insecure relationship (besides abuela) which was with isa. then completely breaking down when abuela blamed her for everything and she felt the most insecure. i feel like this whole movie was about how abuela's gift was slowly turning into mirabel's gift. i assume this new casita won't obey abuelas commands the same at all, the old casita may have died with abuela's hold on being the keeper.

[@AshleysAdvice]

Yes, I agree with this theory, that was my interpretation, Mirabelle is the new candleholder and when her grandmother passes she will be the replacement to help keep the miracle alive and protect the family, I felt like her and the grandmother are both connected to the house in ways the rest of the family wasn’t, but that was just my interpretation and I think that when the old house broke down and the new one came back to life, it was like a passing, change of hands kind of thing from her grandmother to her, signifying that she was the new head of the house, or that she would become the new head of the house once the grandmother died.

[@Witandwitless]

When I watched this two nights ago I was with a friend that had already seen it and as soon as her door disappeared I just went "So her power is the house? It seems to help her a lot more than other people, and her door didn't just stop being shiny it full on disappeared." My friend just glared at me and spent the rest of the movie trying to convince me I wasn't right. At the end he was just like "You're the worst person to watch movies with and keep a plot twist secret from." I really did love the movie but that just seemed super obvious to me haha.

[@awimpykidontheroadto5ksubs553]

I think her gift is the powerful gift of… *HEY BROTHER*

[@coolnerdlll6053]

I thought it was the power of love. *Huey Lewis intensifies*

[@retrobro_]

3:50 also, the dad has a piece of clothing for each one of his daughters- a flower on his vest, a sick with dumbbells, and another sock+can't remember what it is)

[@shainmathew4274]

Also everyone is getting inside Mirabel's room without permission or knocking. On the other hand no one can go inside Abuvela's room without permission or knocking.

[@maxgrubb4758]

Her gift was Toxicity. 🤣🤣🤣 Also please Review Ron's Gone Wrong!

[@coolnerdlll6053]

That's not technically in the Disney canon, so they probably won't, but that would be cool.

[@j.t.robins5896]

There’s one HUGE thing that confirms this. On the song “Two Caterpillars,” in the chorus they say, “Ay, caterpillars.…” except for the LAST TIME. When Abuela and Miribel hug, they sing, “Ay, BUTTERFLIES!” The ONLY TIME they are called Butterflies.

[@irenelopez9534]

Living for the Encanto content!

[@joshnuss4262]

Yes! When I had the realization that one major part of this movie was actually the passing of "leadership" from one generation to the next and learning to appreciate the past while also changing things for the future it shifted so much of the movie. Mirabel was definitely selected by the miracle to become the next Abuela, and Abuela realizing that helps her step out of the grief to embrace the family she loved but never really saw.

[@Ladya-eg7yp]

Short answer: She doesn't End of theory. JK. Love your videos

[@SuperCarlinBrothers]

Well......

[@Ladya-eg7yp]

@@SuperCarlinBrothers Heh. I do like your theory though

[@riverofdreams3299]

OMG this is so perfect! I thought Mirabel's miracle was keeping the family together and this just deepens it. I first watched Encanto with my best friend and have been gushing over it, I can't wait for her to see this

[@NotMikel]

My mom's name is Luisa and her reaction 2 her character was PRICELESS

[@JessicaClark-lq4gw]

Something i found interesting is when the house is collapsing Mirabel who is thought of as the weakest because she didnt have a gift was the first to try reach the flame. Only when the others saw her did they try and their gifts failed to get them there. Even while collapsing Casita managed to get Mirabel there and protect her from its own collapse. The others relied too heavily on their gifts. Mirabel relied on Casita.

[@SalsaRat]

I haven’t heard this theory much but it makes a lot of sense the theory is Isabella Te Fiti from Moana, Te Fiti is basically made out of plants and Isabella‘s power is growing plants and flowers that is something that immediately checks off, if you look at it their facial features also match their hair is a little different but it matches as hair can change over time, and depending on whether Disney confirms if Moana takes place before or after Encanto the theory could be true Isabella could truly be Te Fiti before becoming a goddess, another version of the theory that I have seen that would make more sense if it was confirmed that Moana takes place before Encanto is that Isabella is a reincarnation Te Fiti

[@yesthatmousyiris4887]

Cool theory but I don't think Isabela is Te Fiti. The movie Encanto reveals Alma lived during the Thousand Days War Between 1899 and 1902. Moana is said to be taken place about 2000 to 3000 years ago.

[@Msferedrose]

This was an absolutely phenomenal breakdown. Love that lil touch noting how excited people will probably be in the future RE keeper of the magic. I hope there is a sequel to this movie!!

[@RodrigoColimodio]

For me “Dos Oruguitas” or “Two Oruguitas” is the most beautiful song of all. Tell about the story of growth of love through separation of your loving one. Unfortunately it doesn’t get any attention just because people don’t know anything in Spanish. I’m glad that they include an original English version of this song in the album.

[@tobiaswedin]

We already know Abuela's gift, we saw it in the movie + it's literally made a pattern on her clothes (like all family members, they all have power related imagery on their clothes). She made the valley where the town is hidden. It's not even a debate or something to speculate about, it's right there!

[@harry816potter]

maybe this is just me being a Potterhead seeing HP references everywhere, but the fact that Pedro's sacrifice protected his family really reminded me of Lily's sacrifice protecting Harry

[@kjames1013]

She also made her own dress (because she never got magical clothes) which you can see when she grabs it off the sewing machine in the beginning. Which...idk somehow seems *even more* significant because she *chose* to put her family there and add all the colors... and the butterflies were something *she* added, which to me, was saying it was inside her even when she didn't realize. (And if she did make her own dress then that means she put Antonio's gift on there before they knew, which he liked animals and she gave him the cheetah (jaguar?) But what about the toucan...it didn't come til after his gift, but it's on her dress before.)

[@kaykaybee333]

never been this early 😭

[@Xagovi13]

Same

[@mikeransom9210]

Saame

[@choihyunshil5865]

Maybe Abuela’s gift is to give other family members there gifts since she is is holding the candle on her door

[@OurKindofEntertainment]

Abuela was the Joe Jackson of the family...

[@marilynsparks5931]

10:02 I have the most adorable story about that. I was watching this movie with my nieces and, of course, bawling. The two year old comes over to me and tries to wipe away my tears saying "Sad?'" I was immediately comforted.

[@twilyghtmattera8448]

Mirabel had a glowing door... It's the front door of the house. Theory Mirabel's power is legit the home and by extension a representation of the family. Mirabel is Abuela's replacement for continuing to protect the family.

[@reganbrannigan3006]

Hopefully she does a better job of it lol

[@samurexatlas7373]

Abuela and Mirabel's gifts ARE the encanto. That's why both hold the candle on their doors. Abuela alone, but Mirabel with all the Madrigal.

[@DarkMarimo]

Love the Encanto content! How about a "Sorting all Encanto character into Hogwarts houses" video? :D

[@emmaromohr5039]

I want to see this too!

[@TarotMom86]

honestly this would totally set up a great sequel for Encanto. Exploring the transition from Abuela to Mirabel, and possibly revealing another child who didn't get an immediate gift (thus revealing they they are possibly the next in line after Mirabel,) and how the go through that transition together...maybe even revealing similar conflicts from the first film. idk, i think it would be cool to see them do that.

[@honeybeerandom]

Thank you for considering other gender identities in your survey, it makes me so truly happy to be recognized in a traditional sense. ♥

[@almondmilkshake]

Yes!!

[@caitrionaobrien4707]

Can we talk about how some of the gifts can equally be considered curses? Delores can hear a pin drop... And has been able to do so since she was 5. How is she not traumatised? She's been hearing everything not suitable for kids all her life. Pepa doesn't really have weather control because the weather is influenced by her emotions. So her emotions are always raw and on the surface. Then there's the using the gifts for the good of the neighbourhood. Some of them are obvious, Juileta is a healer, Luisa is lifting everything. But where does a shapeshifter fit in to that? And Isabela? Everyone gets some roses! Thanks...

[@theereader8678]

Love these Encanto theories!

[@shelbielidgett8592]

This makes so much since! Especially since Brno said his vision could go two ways. Possibly meaning she could be like her grandma and look at the past or look into the future

[@maddenboseroy4074]

This theory has been around since Encanto's release, and I'm surprised you didn't analyze it first; and the clue is that Mirabel and Alma are the ones who literally take the most control of the house (early concepts even involved the house being an extension of Alma's will, though this was changed so that the house was an extension of the family but still). Also, I would rather a sequel - or spin-off, provided what I'm going to suggest next - focus on how many similarities there are between the worldbuilding of Encanto and the native Kogi people of Colombia, especially since they share Bruno's ability to see the future (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kogi_people ) and the idea that Isabela is genderfluid (kzbin.info/www/bejne/sGiUlJaPlNeMgJo ).

[@irenelopez9534]

Exactlyyyy!!! Hahahah also her room wasn’t magical at all. You can see it when she talks asking Pedro for advice

[@Valiguss]

I personally hold that abuela’s gift is the house, it obeys her commands over other people and seems to be summoned by her. I also think that’s maybe what mirabel got at the end and why she didn’t get one, mirabel’s gift will be to take up abeula’s gift when she dies.

[@lenshields4598]

I like how the butterflies r at the end of the dress, signifying the end and hers are at the top, meaning the beginning

[@Ash-zp7ey]

When you are literally the definition of mirabel :) like we’re the same person down to the hair

[@kingizengar]

Omg thank you for clearing this up

[@Gloria.A]

For someone without a gift to show, she is awfully rough on everyone in the family. Those without AND with powers.

[@ilariabernardi5912]

Also the fact that for Pepa not only the sun, representing positive emotions, is on Mirabel's dress, but also rain foreshadows soooo well the meaning of the movie.

[@F117nghthawk]

While watching the movie the first time... My mid movie prediction was that Mirabel was going to take abuelas place because of a tragedy. So I was wrong about the tragedy, but not Mirabel

[@TheGrossDemon]

Theres just something about the way a child says "Yeeeessss" with the head retract that melts my heart lol

[@maxsalmon4980]

Worth considering: The magic returns...Casita returns...the candle does *not* return. That candle was a symbol of Pedro's sacrifice but *also* of Abuela's grief. It's power, like the powers that everyone in the family had, was also a burden. I think in a very real way Abuela couldn't heal while she had to carry it...she was constantly, viscerally reminded of what she'd lost; of the price of the miracle. The new miracle, the rebuilt magic, doesn't have that burden attached to it anymore. I think there's a deeper understanding of what it means now, of where the miracle really lives. It's not something that has to be *earned* because you survived when others did not, or a burden to carry, or a thing that forces you to be something no matter what you want. Because of that new understanding, the candle isn't necessary now. It was never the miracle; Abuela only believed it was.

[@kevinruby9241]

Mirabel is obviously the new Candlebearer. Notice that the Casita sacrifices itself to save her, using the last of it's magic, knowing she is the vessel of the new hope.

[@ethanuy2261]

First

[@Ash-zp7ey]

Good job

[@whippedcreamvibes1734]

no, just absolutely no.

[@RodrigoColimodio]

For me is also the keeper of the house. Somehow the house is related to Abuela as the power of her. Like they complete each other. Idk

[@Foxxy123855]

that makes accually way more sense to see it this way. most of the film i was a little sad that she dosnt get a power in the end or the goose chase for the miracle is longer/deeper, but with this way of thinking, the whole movie is way better. thanks!

[@darkmikasonfire]

luisa's song surface pressure alone was enough to make me cry.