How ‘Encanto’ created a whole new world through magical realism and relatable characters

The makers of Disney’s ‘Encanto’ talk about blending otherworldly folklore with joint-family dynamics and Colombian culture, and why actor Stephanie Beatriz was right for the lead role of Mirabel

A house that breathes magic sounds like something out of a fairy tale. The multi-elemental home in Encanto certainly achieves that as it emits a warming glow from within – just what the first look trailer offered back in December 2020. Now, less than a year later, audiences can find out just what that magic entails.

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Encanto, written by Lin-Manuel Miranda and set in the vivid greenery of Colombia, follows the Madrigal family, whose house (known as the Encanto) is imbued with magical powers. So when each family member comes of age, the Encanto blesses them with individual powers. However, at the centre of this story is the only non-magical member: the optimistic yet ever-yearning Mirabel (Stephanie Beatriz) who comes across as a potential danger to the Encanto.