Summary
- In Encanto, Mirabel stands out for not having a magical gift like her family, causing tension with Abuela Alma.
- While Dolores is suspected of being the villain in the story, the lack of a traditional antagonist makes Encanto unique.
- Abuela, with her controlling nature, comes closest to being the antagonist by stifling her family's individual growth for the sake of tradition.
Disney's Encanto, which tells the story of the magical Madrigals, doesn't have a bad guy, but one theory speculates Dolores was the secret villain. Mirabel Madrigal is the only Madrigal family member in Encanto who doesn't get a magical gift. Unfortunately, this strains her relationship with Abuela Alma, who is worried about losing the miracle and letting her family and their village down, so she doesn't always treat Mirabel well. However, when the family's magical house begins to crack, Mirabel's lack of powers drives her to figure out the solution and make her family proud.
Though Mirabel doesn't have a gift, the rest of her family gets various powers. Mirabel's perfect sister, Isabela, can create flowers and plants, which delight the village. Even Mirabel's mysterious Uncle Bruno has the gift of predicting the future but Bruno's visions are mostly bad, causing many problems for the family. Even so, he's not the antagonist of the story. However, Mirabel's cousin Dolores has superhuman hearing and knows all the gossip in the town, which is part of why some believe she's the actual villain.
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The Theory Of Why Dolores Could Be Encanto's Villain
Dolores Might Want The Family To Lose Their Powers
Encanto Character |
Power |
|---|---|
Bruno |
Sees The Future |
Luisa |
Superhuman Strength |
Julieta |
Healing Through Food |
Pepa |
Weather Control |
Isabela |
Can Make Plants Bloom Anywhere |
Camilo |
Shapeshifter |
Antonio |
Can Talk To Animals |
Dolores |
Superhuman Hearing |
Though Encanto doesn't have a traditional villain, one theory states Dolores could be the film's secret antagonist. According to the fan theory (via Reddit), Dolores wants her family to lose their powers. After all, the gift of super hearing isn't necessarily as helpful as increased strength or instant plant life. Like Mirabel, Dolores is also overlooked by her family. Dolores loves Mariano (Maluma), but he's betrothed to Isabela and overlooks Dolores when her perfect cousin is around.
However, things might change if Isabela didn't have her Encanto powers. This is why Dolores doesn't say anything about Bruno's current residence within the house's walls, and she immediately reveals that Mirabel shows up in a vision where Casita falls apart. She's probably heard Bruno talk about his vision before, and she wants the family to lose the miracle. Ruining Isabela's engagement to Mariano is just the cherry on top.
Why Dolores Might Really Be Encanto's Villain
Dolores Might Want Some Peace & Happiness
There's a strong case that Dolores wouldn't want the family to have powers. Her brother Camilo (Rhenzy Feliz) constantly shapeshifts to pull pranks, and her mother creates storms whenever she gets emotional. Plus, superpowered hearing means Dolores doesn't do well with loud noises, and she's probably heard many difficult conversations that would be better avoided. The film doesn't portray Dolores as actively trying to sabotage her family, but it makes sense why she would. Mirabel doesn't get a gift, and it'd suit Dolores just fine if the rest of the family were in a similar place.
Raggaeton singer Adassa voiced Dolores in Encanto.
But calling Dolores a villain doesn't quite fit the bill. Dolores gets overlooked like Mirabel and secretly pines for Mariano, but she doesn't appear to do anything with malicious intent in the film. And though Dolores believes she hears Bruno, she doesn't know for sure. At the film's end, Dolores appears vindicated that Bruno shows up, proving she didn't hear rats talking behind the walls. She's not truly a villain in Encanto, but that doesn't mean she'd be heartbroken if the family's powers disappeared.
Why There Being No Real Encanto Villain Makes It Better
This Is A Family Drama & Doesn't Need A Villain
Not only is Dolores not a secret villain in Encanto, but the fact that has no villain is one of the film's best attributes. Ultimately, Encanto isn't a simple story of good vs. evil but a nuanced tale about the challenges of unifying a multigenerational family and the importance of valuing everyone regardless of their unique contribution to the world. This type of story never needed an identifiable antagonist. Instead, Encanto's story is elevated by a range of complex and well-crafted characters that feel like they could be real people (bar being able to talk to animals).
Abuela, Dolores, and the rest of the Madrigals fit this description snugly, as they have meaningful motivations, fears, and flaws without being one-note or sacrificing the story's stakes. Encanto offers a heartwarming and relevant message for all ages, and by not having a true villain, it's a stronger representation of real relationship dynamics that's effective, deceptively layered, and relatable.
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If Anyone Is The Encanto Villain, It's Likely Abuela
Abuela Was Too Controlling From The Start
While Dolores was not likely the villain in Encanto, the one person who comes closest to this role is Abuela. As the prelude to the movie showed, she lost everything when she found her new home, and she swore to remain strong and not lose anything else. However, this also made her someone who held down her loved ones to protect them in her eyes. Abuela shunned Mirabel when she had no powers and did nothing to protect her own brother when she should have known his precog powers were not to blame for bad things happening.
Even when Mirabel was trying to save her family and do the right thing, Abuela fought her. In the end, Abuela realized being overprotective to save the magic was hurting her family, and she risked losing them in a very different manner. In this case, Abuela wanted to do good for her family and the townspeople but couldn't see the harm her narrow-focused actions caused those who loved her. Encanto had no villain, but Abuela veered closest to the role.
Encanto tells the tale of an extraordinary family, the Madrigals, who live hidden in the mountains of Colombia, in a magical house, in a vibrant town, in a wondrous, charming (and enchanted) place called an Encanto. The magic of the Encanto has blessed every child in the family with a unique gift from super strength to the power to heal—every child except one, Mirabel (voice of Stephanie Beatriz). But when she discovers that the magic surrounding the Encanto is in danger, Mirabel decides that she, the only ordinary Madrigal, might be her exceptional family’s last hope. Mirabel will seek out her missing cousin, Bruno, to discover the truth that Abuela has buried away for all of their lives.
- Writers
- Charise Castro Smith, Jared Bush
- Distributor(s)
- Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
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