Encanto is one of the most popular movies of 2021, and that means there are a lot of opinions, a lot of debates, and a lot of conversations going on about every character, every plot point, and every scene in the movie.
Redditors always have a lot to say about everything, and Encanto is no exception. From criticisms of whole storylines to issues with the personalities of certain characters, Reddit is full of some very unpopular opinions about the movie, and about the protagonist, Mirabel, in particular.
She Should Have Had A Gift
Mirabel's entire character is reliant on the fact that she doesn't have a gift; she is the only member of the Madrigal family to not receive a special gift, and this drives her motivations and decisions.
That being said, some Encanto fans think that Mirabel should have gotten a gift, and her actually having a gift would have improved the movie. Reddit user jerizebravo writes, "Mirabel SHOULD have had a gift but the gift was actually either hard to control, dangerous, or straight up useless." This might make the movie a tad more interesting and nuanced, but Mirabel feeling left out and ostracized deeply affects her choices and how she chooses to behave.
Her Gift Is Intelligence
While most fans accept the fact that Mirabel does not have a gift, some argue that she does have one, it's just more subtle. There are a lot of different conversations surrounding Mirabel's potential gift, and Redditor ZasuFritzka thinks they have figured it out. They write, "Seeing as her sisters are beauty and brawn I think her gift is intelligence. We wouldn't have a story if Casita bestowed her gift like the others."
Mirabel certainly seems to be one of the most motivated and intelligent characters in the movie, and her gift being intelligence would make sense, but also seem a bit useless, as her storyline focused on her lack of gift and what that meant.
Mirabel Shouldn't Have Forgiven Abuela So Quickly
Despite being treated horribly by Abuela for her entire life, Mirabel quickly forgives her at the end of the movie when she realizes her mistakes and the extent of the pressure she put on her family. While this is very in character for Mirabel, some fans think that she should not have shown Abuela grace.
Reddit user cryingcowplants argues, "Mirabel forgiving Alma that quickly is...hm. After the way she treated Mirabel for years. She could've said something along the lines of, "I forgive you and I understand your pain. But I need time to heal my heart from what you've done and said to me.'"
She Should've Been The Villain
Even though Abuela might be the antagonist of the film, Encanto doesn't exactly have a villain. Abuela certainly puts unnecessary pressure on her family to be perfect all the time, and she treats Mirabel particularly horribly, but she is not necessarily a villain.
Some viewers think that the movie would have been better if Mirabel was the villain, given that she has every right to be bitter and resent her family. Redditor ChunkyMarshmallow_62 writes, "I wish Mirabel was the villain." They did not elaborate, but that simple sentence spurs a lot of thought. Encanto certainly would have been very different if Mirabel had been the villain, and it would have been very interesting to see, but this opinion is something of an outlier with the fanbase and would make for an entirely different movie.
She's A Boring Character
Mirabel is extremely lovable and bubbly, and her cheery personality and can-do attitude make her an endearing and charming character. Most fans love Mirabel for her relatable personality and spunky behavior, but some think that she's not too great, even boring.
Reddit user istanbul055 says simply, "Mirabel is a boring(ish) protagonist." They did not elaborate, so exactly why they think Mirabel is boring is unclear because she seems to be the exact opposite.
Mirabel Never Actually Forgave Abuela
At the end of the movie, Abuela finally realizes how horrible she's been to her family and to Mirabel, in particular. When she apologizes, Mirabel is quick to forgive Abuela, but some viewers argue that she never actually forgives her.
Reddit user AMadderThereForYou says, "Mirabel never said she forgave Abuela. She said that whatever happens, they can fix it together, because [of] their family." That is certainly true, Mirabel never outright says she forgives Abuela, but the forgiveness is certainly implied.
She Didn't Really Reconcile With Isabela
The turning point of Encanto is when Mirabel and Isabela fix their relationship and when Isabela comes into her own after realizing she doesn't have to be perfect all the time. While this is a moving scene and song, some people think that Mirabel did not handle this situation well and that she didn't actually reconcile with her older sister.
Redditor Elsas-Queen writes, "If the cactus hadn't appeared, I can't imagine how the conversation would've continued. Mirabel meant well, but she was really naïve in that conversation."
Her Singing Voice Isn't Good
Encanto is famous for its Oscar-winning original score and it quickly became an instant classic, with millions of people everywhere streaming "We Don't Talk About Bruno" on repeat for months. Stephanie Beatriz, who voices Mirabel, has a beautiful singing voice, even recording some of the songs while she was in labor with her daughter, Rosaline.
Even though most fans love Mirabel's voice, some Redditors disagree. According to Reddit user qudop, "Mirabel’s singing voice isn’t that good. Very nasally...It’s not horrible, I still like her songs and can tolerate it, but it’s not good." It's certainly an unpopular opinion, as Beatriz is a wonderful singer, but to each their own.
Mirabel Has The Best Bedroom
Since she was not given a gift, Mirabel doesn't have her own bedroom. She technically sleeps in the nursery, sharing with Antonio until he gets his gift. A 15-year-old girl sleeping in a nursery is quite sad, but some Redditors argue that Mirabel actually has the best bedroom.
According to Dry_Mastodon7574, "Mirabel's 'nursery' is the best bedroom in Casita. The room gets her glasses and shoes for her and gathers the laundry as well...Casita cannot go into anyone's bedroom except Mirabel's. It keeps her room clean and helps her out, even keeps her company." Maybe her room isn't so bad after all!
Her Not Having A Gift Was A Test For Abuela
Mirabel did not receive a gift, and that is the main force motivating all of her actions and choices throughout this movie. Even though this seems like a fluke or a mistake, some people think that Mirabel's lack of a gift was actually a test for Abuela all along.
Reddit user Big-Clock4773 writes, "Mirabel not getting a gift was a test to see if Alma was taking the gift for granted and would treat a non-gifted child any differently. She failed the test. Only by accepting Mirabel and realizing that family is more important than gifts did the magic return." This is certainly an interesting theory, but Mirabel failing to receive a gift was most likely not as deep as a test for Abuela.