Encanto's Ode to Mental Health

Mirabel and Luisa Madrigal in Disney’s Encanto

Encanto, which means “charm” in Spanish, is Disney’s 60th animated feature film, with songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton, In the Heights, Moana). Encanto centers on the magical Madrigal family, whose members are gifted with powers to help their community in the mountains of Colombia. But as the third generation comes of age, cracks begin to appear in their magical sentient home, Casita, signaling a fading of their long-held magic.

Luisa Madrigal (voiced by Jessica Darrow) has the magical gift of strength. Yet when younger sister Mirabel (Stephanie Beatriz) notices Luisa’s eye twitching uncontrollably, Mirabel’s simple question of "What's wrong?" pushes her big sister into a meltdown musical number, in which Luisa admits her fears and vulnerability over a catchy, contemporary, reggaeton beat. “Surface Pressure” has resonated with many, even making the Billboard Top 10. It has meant a lot to me, as it mirrors my mental-health journey during the trying times of the COVID-19 pandemic. Its moving lyrics reflect the themes of taking on too much, learning the importance of self-care, and realizing the need to let go and relax.