echo *Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for the animated films.
The world of animation holds a special place in our hearts, as it is a form of both art and entertainment. Animated films are celebrated by many for their creativity, representation, and ability to captivate audiences through memorable plots, stunning visuals, and impressive world-building. There’s no denying these films have the power to educate audiences, no matter the age, and to spread awareness on societal issues that should be highlighted. Showcasing this, animation studios often make their characters face all kinds of issues, giving them traits, behaviours, or challenges that align with real-world mental health issues.
In this article, we aim to shine a light on the mental health issues represented and faced by characters in blockbuster animated films. By delving deeper and analysing the narratives of these characters and the challenges they face, we seek to understand how these stories bring attention to mental health struggles and how our beloved characters dealt with the issues they faced.
- SHREK: Social anxiety, self-isolation, and low self-esteem
When we think of Shrek, we visualise the ‘meme-ified’ green ogre, who lives in a fantasy world filled with talking animals, witches, fairytale creatures, and more. While the Shrek films are light-hearted, with jokes in almost every scene, Shrek poses to be a prime example of someone dealing with social anxiety and self-isolation, if one looks closely.
The first film makes it a point that Shrek prefers to live alone in his swamp; he even embarks on a journey to Duloc just to rid his home of the fairytale creatures that invaded it in the first place. However, living alone isn’t necessarily a preference for the ogre, but rather an instinct or defence mechanism. In the Shrek universe, he is often neglected and feared simply because of his physical appearance as an ogre. Due to this, Shrek isolates himself, keeping far away from people to avoid being rejected all over again. He feels as though he is unworthy of love, friendship, and acceptance. The film even highlights his loneliness from the beginning, with shots of him eating alone and making warning signs to keep others away.
Shrek himself addresses this issue when Donkey asks why he has a problem with the world: “I’m not the one with the problem, okay? It’s the world that seems to have a problem with me. People take one look at me and go, ‘Ah! Help! Run! A big, stupid, ugly ogre!’ They judge me before they even know me. That’s why I’m better off alone.”
While Shrek has dealt with social anxiety, self-isolation, and low self-esteem far longer than he should have, he eventually gets his happy ending! When he first meets Donkey, he’s sceptical of what the talking animal wants from him. However, Donkey doesn’t seem to be afraid of him or judge him. Instead, Donkey was a friend to him, and when Shrek realises the genuineness behind Donkey’s actions, a close friendship is formed. The same can be said of Shrek’s love interest, Fiona. When Fiona first meets Shrek, she judges him; that much is true. But as the film goes on, Fiona understands the struggles Shrek endures, and they soon realise all the things they share in common. She laughs at his jokes, indulges in his lifestyle and culture, and genuinely enjoys spending time with him. Fiona, who struggles with a curse herself, knows firsthand what Shrek feels, and she looks past his physical appearance.
With this in mind, the film teaches us that while some of us may struggle with low self-esteem and social anxiety—and while these issues may be intertwined—the real solution starts with yourself! Self-acceptance is key to overcoming low self-esteem and is the first stepping stone to finding the courage to open up to others. Yes, people can be judgemental, but by being yourself, you give others the chance to know the real you. True friends would look past physical appearances, as what really matters is your heart.
- MIGUEL O’HARA: Guilt and responsibility overload
One of the more relatable issues we may face when it comes to our mental health is guilt and responsibility overload. Often enough, we may neglect this problem, overlooking it as we bite off more than we can chew. A prime example of this is showcased in Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse, by the character Miguel O’Hara (Spider-Man 2099).
The film showcases the heavyweight behind Miguel’s decisions and the overwhelming responsibility of duty and leadership. The root of it all, however, stems from guilt due to irreversible mistakes. The film explains Miguel’s backstory, emphasising how he once tried to replace a version of himself in another universe, seeking the happiness he lacked in his own, one where he had a daughter named Gabriella. This decision proved to be anything but harmless, as it resulted in the destruction of said universe, causing the deaths of the billions that lived there. Expectedly, he carries the guilt behind this decision throughout the film, making it the very reason he stands against Miles Morales attempting to save his own universe. His determination to prevent history from repeating itself, paired with him being the leader of Spider Society, fills him with a sense of guilt and responsibility overload.
When it comes to dealing with guilt, it can be difficult to simply forget it or push it aside. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to let guilt drag you and your life down either! The first step in dealing with immense guilt is acknowledging that there is nothing more you can do. Nobody’s perfect, and everyone makes mistakes—even machines need fixing from time to time. Realistically, in a world far from fiction, we can’t go back in time to undo our mistakes. So, instead of brooding over your guilt and allowing it to influence every decision you make, think of it as an important lesson in your life. Learn from your mistakes and gradually grow into a new phase of your life. Take things at your own pace, and try to make amends if possible. Talking with a friend or a trusted family member might also ease the burden a little. Life is too short to waste all your time dwelling on a single mistake, as there will be many more to come! It’s vital to learn from your mistakes, grow from them, and channel them positively and healthily.
Guilt is one thing, but responsibility is another. We may not realise it when we accept or offer to help with something, but sometimes we bite off more than we can chew. By definition, responsibility overload occurs when an individual fulfils multiple roles simultaneously but lacks the resources to perform them. Chances are, we’ve all dealt with responsibility overload before, but have we faced it effectively?
Before you suggest just ‘dealing with it’, it is important to understand that responsibility overload comes with a long list of negative impacts (making lots of mistakes, increasing conflicts in a working environment, and a suffering reputation, just being a few). To avoid this, you should first set clear, achievable goals and plans for your work within a realistic time frame. Don’t try to complete too much in a short period of time as it will only increase your stress tenfold. Secondly, you should learn to say ‘no’. Growing up, one of the first words in a kid’s vocabulary would be ‘yes’ and ‘no’, and we should put that to good use. Consider the impacts and responsibilities of taking up a new task, and don’t be afraid to decline if it will take a toll on your mental health. If you’re worried about disappointing others, don’t be! People will understand, and it is better to finish your tasks well and effectively rather than simply completing them for the sake of finishing them up. Effort can be shown in your work even more if you take your time and truly focus.
Lastly, be sure to take breaks! Your mind needs to rest too, and too much work can lead to burnout. Implement a reward system where once you complete a task, you treat yourself to something small. Rewards can go a long way in motivating you, and will help you develop a strong work ethic to ensure you manage your mental health in a strong way.
- ANNA: Fear of abandonment and anxiety
In Disney’s Frozen (2013), the animation studio highlights the mental health struggles of its characters, primarily Elsa. However, Anna’s mental health issues don’t go unnoticed either. From early on in the first film, Anna is shown to have a pronounced fear of abandonment, which is intertwined with her people-pleasing and self-worth struggles.
As children, Elsa accidentally strikes Anna with her ice powers, prompting their parents to isolate their family to avoid any further accidents. To protect Anna, Elsa distances herself, failing to recognize the impact her actions have on her sister. In the song ‘Do You Want To Build A Snowman?’ Anna repeatedly knocks on Elsa’s door, asking her to play. Anna’s memories of being close to Elsa made her confused and hurt by this sudden distance, leading to feelings of abandonment and loneliness. This isolation is compounded when their parents die in a shipwreck, leaving Anna truly alone with no one to confide in.
As the film progresses, Anna’s fear of abandonment makes her almost desperate for connection and companionship. With Elsa’s coronation being a highly anticipated event in Arendelle, Anna was beyond ecstatic for the gates to finally open. She is determined to find love as quickly as possible, longing for a companion who will reciprocate the love she has been yearning to give after years of rejection and isolation from her sister. Unfortunately, this leads her to Prince Hans of the Southern Isles, who ultimately uses her for her royal title and becomes the reason she nearly dies. Anna’s desperation for love drives her to accept it from someone she had just met and knew nothing about.
The climax of the film features Anna sacrificing herself for Elsa. When Hans attempts to strike Elsa with his sword, Anna, seeing this, throws herself between them to shield her sister, just as she turns to ice. While this ‘act of true love’ ultimately heals their sisterly bond and lifts Anna’s curse, it’s clear that the root of her sacrifice lies in her fear of abandonment. Anna’s willingness to sacrifice her life for Elsa is driven by her deep love for her sister and her fear of losing her again.
While she does find love in Kristoff, Anna’s fear of abandonment is still very much present in Frozen II (2019), though it may not be as obvious. In the sequel, Kristoff repeatedly attempts to propose to Anna but fails because Anna is too preoccupied with Elsa. She’s so focused on ensuring that Elsa doesn’t leave her again that she struggles to invest fully in her relationship with Kristoff. She has a gnawing anxiety about losing the people she loves, and it absolutely breaks her when she loses both Olaf and Elsa near the climax of the film.
When it comes to dealing with a fear of abandonment, it proves to be anything but easy. You may find yourself wondering how long you have until someone leaves you or if you’ll eventually end up alone. You may constantly push yourself into the conversation with a fear of missing out, desperately seeking common ground with others, always initiating hangouts (maybe a little too often), or trying to say something (anything!) to fill the silence. Many of these behaviours may be unconscious coping mechanisms, driven by the fear of abandonment, and chances are, they’re not even intentional. In the song ‘The Next Right Thing’, Anna finds herself in a hopeless situation, filled with darkness and loneliness. She feels abandoned, not just by her loved ones but by hope itself. But instead of succumbing to the numbing despair she feels, Anna decides to focus on the next right thing to do.
This encourages us to take a small step forward, even when the future seems terrifying and even if we must face it alone. It’s a harsh reality to accept, but we can’t always rely on others, as while it hurts to admit, people may not always be there. Anna learns to rely on herself and her inner strength. It shows that even in the absence of those who usually support her, she can find the resilience to move forward. The feeling of being alone is valid, but it’s crucial to find strength, even if it takes baby steps. This is an important step in emotional healing too! Just like Anna, when you’re dealing with abandonment or even just the fear of it, it is always important to focus on what you could do next. Recovery from abandonment is possible through perseverance and self-compassion. At the end of the day, what truly matters is your ability to take care of yourself and love yourself. You’re not defined by the people around you; you are uniquely your own person. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to channel that love toward yourself too?
- LIGHTNING MCQUEEN: Narcissism and identity crisis, fear of ageing, and obsolescence
I’m sure many of us are familiar with the name Lightning McQueen, as he is the central character in Disney Pixar’s Cars Trilogy. He faces a rather unique set of mental health struggles compared to other Disney characters, including narcissism and an identity crisis.
In Cars (2006), McQueen is introduced as the latest addition to the Piston Cup races, and while he is undeniably talented, he’s portrayed to be arrogant and self-centred. An example of this is his lack of empathy, or gratefulness, often ignoring the feelings of others, and feeling embarrassed by his sponsors. His narcissism is especially evident in his belief that he can win the Piston Cup all by himself, without help from his team, pit crew, or any coaches. McQueen’s top priority is fame, wealth, success, and above all, himself. McQueen is very well aware of his talent and uses it to enhance his public image and reputation. While self-confidence isn’t necessarily a bad thing, he neglects any genuine relationships, making his career the sole focus of his life.
However, as the film progresses, McQueen begins to rewrite his mindset as he faces an identity crisis. When he gets stranded in a small town off Route 66, McQueen is forced to interact with other cars that don’t lead lives of fame and wealth. The town’s residents value friendship, honesty, community, and integrity, providing a stark contrast to McQueen’s usual values. As a result, he starts to realise that there’s more to life than racing, image, and fame. Naturally, his initial beliefs and behaviours are challenged, forcing him to confront the question of his identity. With the help of his new friend Mater, his girlfriend Sally, and his mentor Doc Hudson, McQueen becomes more self-aware and begins to practice values like kindness, empathy, humility, teamwork, and most importantly, friendship. By the end of the first film, McQueen is an entirely different person (or, well, car) as he embraces his team and pit crew, incorporating a sense of sportsmanship and friendship into his growing career.
Cars is a prime example of how the people around us shape who we are. Nobody could stress enough how important good influences are. By surrounding ourselves with people who support, care for, and genuinely want what’s best for us, we can become the best version of ourselves. It is also crucial to recognise that there’s always something new to learn, even from the most unlikely sources, regardless of their status or background. These people can teach us lessons that humble us, and help us see beyond our own egos. After all, wisdom and value can come from any source!
While McQueen manages to overcome his narcissistic traits, he faces an entirely different challenge in Cars 3. As McQueen grows older and fellow racers are replaced by younger, more technologically advanced race cars, McQueen’s fear of ageing and obsolescence becomes a central theme in the third instalment of the Cars series.
The film begins with what we were familiar with—McQueen as the best racer on the track. However, this status is short-lived as a new generation of race cars, led by Jackson Storm, joins the grid. McQueen’s fear of ageing and becoming obsolete is triggered by the realisation that these younger racers are not only faster but also represent a new era that he might not be able to keep up with. He is terrified of being left behind in the past and becoming irrelevant. McQueen’s identity has always been tied to his numerous wins and victories on the racetrack, and when he repeatedly loses to Storm, he starts to question whether he truly is a winner. His fear of being forgotten intensifies as he convinces himself that without racing, he has no real value, and well, if he keeps losing, nobody will care about him anymore.
In denial, McQueen pushes himself harder than ever, convinced that if he tests his limits, he can defeat Storm. McQueen isolates himself from others, retreating to the familiar world of racing and training. He distances himself from those who care about him, focusing solely on regaining his former glory. However, this determination takes a toll on him, culminating in a horrible and shocking crash during a race. Reality hits him hard as he confronts the physical limitations that come with ageing. Left with no choice, McQueen keeps himself away and broods over his failure to beat Storm.
But how does McQueen overcome his fear of ageing and obsolescence? He begins by training a young, aspiring racer named Cruz Ramirez. Through mentoring her, McQueen realises the value of his experience and knowledge, even despite the fact he is no longer racing himself. He comes to understand that while he may no longer be in the spotlight, he can still make significant contributions, ensuring that his legacy and good name live on. By the end of the film, McQueen accepts that his time as the top racer might be over, but this doesn’t mean the end of his significance. His decision to let Cruz finish the final race instead of him symbolises his acceptance of ageing and the natural progression of life.
There’s no denying that ageing affects us, especially when we reach milestones like turning 20, 30, or 40. It can be challenging to accept that we may no longer be as youthful as we once were or that our responsibilities and expectations have changed. In the Cars trilogy, McQueen teaches us some valuable lessons when it comes to ageing—that we have to accept the reality of change and let go of the past. Change is inevitable, and as much as we hate to admit it, there really is no escaping change. McQueen’s journey shows that denying reality only leads to frustration and potentially destructive behaviour. Clinging to the past can only prevent us from moving forward and set unrealistic expectations of ourselves. Instead, we should look to the future and embrace growth and new opportunities. While we may not be able to do everything we once did, this doesn’t mean we can’t find new interests and purposes. As we age, we should seek fulfilment beyond personal achievement. A shift in priorities helps us find peace and come to terms with ageing and obsolescence. By embracing new roles, focusing on the impact we can have on others, and redefining what success means, we can overcome the fear of ageing and find deeper meaning and satisfaction in the later stages of life.
- ELSA: Fear, depression & anxiety, isolation, and self-acceptance
Elsa, the ice queen in the Disney film Frozen (2013), is often seen as the antagonist of the story, constantly hurting others around her. But what lies beneath her cold exterior (pun intended)? When Elsa accidentally harmed and almost killed her sister Anna when she was younger, she formed a deep-seated fear of unintentionally hurting others. She lets this fear control her, leading to her isolation to avoid hurting Anna again and concealing her abilities from the public eye. Throughout the film, she struggles to balance this with her potential to use her abilities to become an extraordinary, powerful woman. Though appearing regal, poised, and even cold in front of Anna and her subjects, her mannerisms and body language hint at her anxiety and depression. She ends up banishing herself from Arendelle in order to protect her people as well as Anna.
A significant moment in her character development occurs when she sings the famous song “Let It Go,” where she lets her hair down, her dress transforms, and she finally frees herself, letting go of the fear of hurting others and allowing her true self to shine. She stops suppressing such huge parts of herself and becomes more confident and even happier.
Nevertheless, despite claiming ‘the cold never bothered [her] anyway’, she is still alone in her ice castle, haunted by the warning given by her parents and the forest trolls to control her magic and prevent it from becoming too powerful and dangerous. And despite believing her ice castle allows her to “be who [I am] without hurting anybody,” she is unaware of the storm she has caused to rage in Arendelle. This inner turmoil turns her ice castle, a previous safe haven, into something dark and menacing as spikes emerge from the now red-coloured castle walls, representing the prison that her fear has created as her powers spiral out of her control.
Similarly, fear can cause us to isolate ourselves or numb our emotions, making it hard to be vulnerable and let go of emotional burdens. They eventually become destructive, affecting our relationships and forming harmful coping mechanisms. Elsa’s experiences parallel those of depression: shutting people out, fear of their own emotions and living independently, becoming distant and detached. Eventually, the worsening storm (mirroring her spiralling mental state) is put to an end when she learns that all she needs is love, self-acceptance, and understanding. She learns that she needs to open up and share her burdens and worries in order to heal. Her character and story serve as a brilliant metaphor for the complexities of mental health, especially depression and anxiety, and how it can become destructive. So learn how to be vulnerable and don’t shut out friends and family who love you! Don’t become ‘frozen’ by choice. And if you know someone suffering like Elsa, try to be patient and understanding, and help them overcome these destructive coping mechanisms with what heals all—love.
However, in Frozen 2 (2019), we see that changing is a process. Elsa still finds it hard to let others in. Despite promising Anna that they will deal with the issue together, she still sets off to save Arendelle by herself, despite Anna pleading with her not to do this alone and let her help. Elsa is still learning, showing that it is a continuous process—we never stop learning. We will continue to make mistakes and upset people, but the most important thing is to treat these as learning curves and come out of it a better person.
- MULAN: Fear of not being good enough, social expectations and constraints, identity crisis, and familial pressure
Mulan has always been a picture of strength and determination: a role model for young girls aspiring to rise above social constraints imposed on women and achieve their goals and dreams. Mulan does exactly that when she volunteers to join the military in place of her ailing father while disguised as a boy. While determined to protect her family, she is also motivated by something else: fear.
At the beginning of the movie, she is seen practicing to be a ‘quiet and demure, graceful, polite, delicate” bride, as society expects of her. In ancient China, marriage was the main way a woman could honour her family. Mulan clearly worries about “upholding the family honour,” revealing her fear of not being good enough to meet these social expectations and familial pressure being imposed on her. She fights against these constraints and struggles with her sense of identity, torn between the pressure to fit the stereotype imposed on all young women or stay true to herself. Mulan’s family’s subtle judgement and criticism don’t help either, as seen in her father’s fervent prayers and her grandmother’s comment that she’ll “you’ll need more luck than I thought.” They seem to have little hope that she will be able to meet the expected standards. Her assessment with the matchmaker doesn’t go well—if anything else may be deduced by the way Mulan accidentally spills tea on her and somehow sets her on fire. Her failure to impress the matchmaker causes her to be outcasted as a ‘disgrace,’ and the matchmaker angrily declares she will “never bring your family honour,” diminishing her sense of self-worth.
As a disguised male soldier, Mulan still feels like she does not belong amongst the rowdy men. She is again an outcast for not being as strong or as experienced as the rest and is judged by her captain, Li Shang. But this time she is determined and fights against her fear of failure, training from night till early in the morning. Gradually, she earns the respect of her fellow soldiers and Shang and is viewed as strong and capable. She inspires the army, and they become a real force to be reckoned with. At a critical moment, she saves everyone’s lives with her quick thinking.
Following the scene of the matchmaker’s visit, Mulan sings the song “Reflection,” revealing how she is scared of disappointing her family, but this conflicts with what she really wants in life. As she wipes her makeup off, she sings: “When will my reflection show who I am inside?”. She struggles to find a way to honour her family and reconcile her true self with this. Perhaps this is why Mulan chooses to volunteer to fight in place of her father—to give herself a purpose and sense of identity to direct her life instead of hopelessly trying to fit herself into a box she clearly doesn’t belong in. At her lowest point in the movie, she admits: “Maybe I didn’t go for my father. Maybe what I really wanted was to prove I could do things right so when I looked in the mirror, I’d see someone worthwhile. But I was wrong. I see nothing.” This heartbreaking moment clearly showed her self-doubt and fear of failure—of wanting to be worth something without having to change or hide aspects of herself. Even when she became a respected soldier, she still had to hide the fact that she was a woman. Every one of us can relate to this feeling to some degree. In difficult situations, we tend to fail to see how we can succeed, leading us to take it out on ourselves and our capabilities, or lack thereof.
Even after literally saving the entire country, the Emperor’s advisor still claims: “She’s a woman, she’ll never be worth anything.” (*flips table*). But the Emperor sees her worth, and in the end, she finds another way to honour her family: she is offered a position on the Emperor’s council (though she refuses), the crest of the Emperor “so your family will know what you have done for me,” and the sword of the enemy “so the world will know what you have done for China.”
Through Mulan’s story, Disney carefully reflected women’s position in society today. Mulan proved that women can be more than just docile housewives. She continues to inspire many to rise to the occasion and continue with determination despite obstacles and setbacks. The most important lesson she learns is that courage is gained by overcoming fear. She only felt inadequate because she was not acting in harmony with her values and character. Only through following her heart was Mulan able to reach her full potential and earn a greater honour than she ever could have if she followed societal standards. Don’t let anyone tell you what you are capable of or not—only you know your limits. Of course, it is good to take the advice of a trusted family member or friend into consideration but learn how to filter out negative thoughts that may only dampen you. Always stay true to yourself, and despite what the people around you may say, you are capable of anything you put your mind to, and you are enough.
- RAPUNZEL: Stockholm syndrome and toxic parenting
Rapunzel from Disney’s Tangled (2010) is often seen as a carefree spirit with love and determination in her heart. But it is also obvious that she has Stockholm syndrome to some degree, though unaware of her kidnapping and past. Mother Gothel gaslights Rapunzel into believing that she is her mother and that the world outside the tower is too dangerous for her in order to isolate her and keep her magical hair for Gothel’s own use. She is very controlling and frequently manipulates Rapunzel, using guilt to get her to comply with her wishes. Gothel also often criticises Rapunzel, undermining her confidence and resulting in feelings of low self-worth and inadequacy, forcing her to be largely dependent on her. Yet, we see that Rapunzel still obviously cares for and loves her ‘mother’ and is very obedient to her instructions, though she may question it at times. Rapunzel also defends her mother and is often reluctant to recognise the abusive nature of their relationship. Though trapped in the tower for almost her whole life, she is still able to recognise that her life in the tower was not normal. It is clear she is conflicted: she goes from believing she’s not “too weak to handle myself out there” to “I know I’m safe as long as I’m here.”
She reflects on the deep fear instilled in her that the world outside the tower is dangerous when she leaves the castle. She is clearly torn between fear and excitement about the world she has never seen before. Upon feeling the grass beneath her feet for the first time, she breaks out into song, showing how deprived she’s been of simple things like feeling grass (go touch grass guys, it’s a privilege). Her fear also stems from the fear of displeasing her ‘mother’. All this results in an internal war as she tries to reconcile what she has been taught to believe about the outside world and what it’s actually like.
When it comes to toxic parenting, some cases may be obvious, while others are buried beneath the surface. It is vital to recognise the signs of a toxic parent, especially since they are the ones who raise us. After all, every child deserves a family, but not every family deserves a child.
Tangled offers a profound and accurate commentary on toxic parenting. With it being one of the main themes of the film, it seems as though every scene Mother Gothel is in could be used as a prime example of a toxic mother. Firstly, Gothel uses control and manipulation to keep Rapunzel away from the outside world. She does this under the excuse of ‘keeping Rapunzel safe’ and ‘protecting her’. To quote Gothel herself, “The outside world is a dangerous place, filled with horrible, selfish people. You must stay here where you’re safe.” She even states, “On your own, you won’t survive.” A toxic parent asserts control over their children, often disguising it as love and care. By convincing and manipulating Rapunzel into believing that the world is dangerous, Gothel is able to keep Rapunzel dependent on her. Besides that, Gothel uses emotional abuse to belittle Rapunzel’s feelings. She shames her physical appearance, her mannerisms, and her thoughts. When Rapunzel speaks of her dreams and passions, Gothel dismisses them and instead attempts to guilt-trip her, causing Rapunzel to feel indebted to her ‘mother’. She continuously convinces Rapunzel that she does nothing wrong, causing Rapunzel to doubt herself.
“You know how I hate leaving after a fight, especially when I’ve done absolutely nothing wrong.”
“Oh, darling, I know you’re not strong enough to handle yourself out there.”
“Stop with the mumbling. You know how I feel about the mumbling. It’s very annoying!”
“I’m just teasing. Stop taking everything so seriously.”
“Sloppy, underdressed, immature, clumsy.”
“You’re getting kind of chubby. I’m just saying ‘cause I love you.”
When Rapunzel meets Flynn Rider, she starts to realise she has feelings for him and that he feels the same. For the first time in her life, she feels like someone else besides Gothel cares for her. However, when Gothel realises this, she further shames and gaslights her, making her doubt her feelings and Flynn’s. She tries to convince Rapunzel that Flynn won’t be there for her, in an attempt to keep Rapunzel solely dependent on her for guidance, love, and validation.
“He likes you? Please! Rapunzel, that’s demented! This is why you never should have left.”
“This whole romance that you’ve invented just proves you’re too naive to be here.”
“Why would he like you? Look at you! You think that he’s impressed?”
“Where will you go? He won’t be there for you.”
When Rapunzel and Flynn show that they love and care for each other, Gothel manipulates this too. She gets Flynn sent to the royal guards, makes Rapunzel think he left her, and takes Rapunzel back to the tower. But as Rapunzel starts to understand the truth that Gothel isn’t her ‘real’ mother, Gothel shows her true colours, no longer hiding behind the loving facade she created. In the climax, when Flynn climbs up the tower to rescue Rapunzel, Gothel stabs him in a desperate attempt to maintain her power over Rapunzel. This act of violence underscores Gothel’s toxic need to control Rapunzel at any cost, even if it means harming someone she cares about. As if that wasn’t bad enough, Gothel uses her twisted version of love to manipulate Rapunzel. She does this by pretending to care for her well-being, saying things like, “Oh, look what you’ve done, Rapunzel,” when she stabs Flynn. When Rapunzel tries to make a deal to stay with Gothel forever if she can heal Flynn, Gothel sees this as her last chance to regain control over her. She agrees, but her acceptance is selfish; she is willing to trap Rapunzel for eternity just to maintain her youth and power with the power of Rapunzel’s hair. Gothel’s willingness to imprison Rapunzel indefinitely, under the false excuse of protecting her, is a clear indication of how Rapunzel’s needs and desires are completely disregarded, and don’t matter to her.
When Rapunzel attempts to heal Flynn, he cuts her hair. This is a pivotal moment in the film as by destroying the source of Gothel’s power, he also destroys the control she has over Rapunzel. The loss of her hair causes Gothel to age rapidly and ultimately fall to her death. This act represents the breaking of toxic bonds.
Gothel’s death is not just a physical end but also a metaphorical one—the toxic influence she had over Rapunzel is over. The climax of Tangled shows that toxic parenting, when confronted and dismantled, loses its power and allows all victims to begin a life free from manipulation and fear.
The key to being rid of a toxic parent is acknowledging your parent’s behaviour is toxic. Once you’ve understood this, try to learn about toxic parenting behaviours so you can identify them more clearly. It is vital to know that these behaviours are not your fault, in order to ease into the healing process. Besides that, you should also set boundaries. Limit conversations that involve criticism or manipulation, and clearly communicate your boundaries to your parent. Yes, they may not necessarily respect it, and so you’d have to enforce your boundaries! An example of this would be to reduce contact or even cut ties if the toxic behaviour continues.
In more obvious statements, talk to someone you trust, such as friends, family members, or even a therapist, as they can provide emotional support and objective perspectives. When cutting ties or distancing yourself from a toxic parent, you have to work on building your self-esteem. Being confident in yourself and being independent can work wonders in this situation. Know your worth, and push aside all negative criticism from your toxic parent, as they are just trying to pull you down. If you live with a toxic parent, work towards gaining financial independence so you can move out. This might involve seeking help from friends, relatives, or local resources. Lastly, and most importantly, you have to learn to let go emotionally and detach yourself from your toxic parents. Accepting that they may never change or provide a real loving relationship, and don’t expect them to. This is painful to accept but once you do, the freedom will be worth the pain of it all! Let go of any guilt, and forgive them if it’s even possible. Toxic parents may have the emotional maturity of a child, such as causing tantrums and holding grudges. Know that you are bigger than them, and you can be a bigger person. It’s a challenging path, but with the right support and mindset, you can create a life that is healthier, more fulfilling, and filled with love and support, rather than toxicity and manipulation.
Movies and films aimed at young kids have the power to form attitudes and teach lessons that will likely stick with them for the rest of their lives. As we rewatch these films when we’re older and revisit the characters and stories we fell in love with as children, we are able to resonate better and understand the struggles of these characters as we encounter similar problems in life. Though such stories may at times seem to have unrealistically happy endings, their portrayal of mental health shows us that it is a journey filled with highs and lows, but there is always hope for improvement. So no matter what you’re going through, a general reminder is to be patient and kind to yourself. Try to see each experience as an opportunity to learn and grow. It’s inevitable that we will all face difficult situations, but we should focus on what we can control—ourselves.
Written by: Ashley and Reeya
Edited by: Tisyha
