What was everyone gift in Encanto?

Encanto was released in cinemas two months ago and on Disney+ one month ago, but it feels like the Disney movie is only now getting the attention it deserves.

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'We Don't Talk About Bruno' has been setting chart records in the US and in the UK, while other tracks from the movie's flawless soundtrack have also been cracking the top ten as new fans discover it every day.

As with the best of Disney movies, that boost in popularity has also led to an increase in theories about Encanto. While it's generally pretty straightforward plot-wise (Mirabel must discover why the Madrigals' magical house is broken), there is one big topic of discussion that is left unanswered in the movie.

Mirabel is the only member of the Madrigal family who was not granted a superhuman ability when she was a child. The movie doesn't make it clear exactly why Mirabel was skipped over, but also shows that it didn't really matter as she's the one who eventually saves the day.

You might have already created your own fan fiction as to why Mirabel didn't get a "gift" and if you have, we hope you've come up with a less harsh reason than a recent Encanto theory on Reddit.

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In the movie, it's unclear whether it's the sentient house, the Casita, that gifts each Madrigal offspring their powers or if it's the magical candle that created the Casita which gifts the powers. (It's probably a combination of both, with the magic coming from the candle, but the sentient Casita making the call on which gift.)

It might appear that Abuela doesn't have a gift, but the theory from Reddit user Ok_Friendship_2065 argues that Abuela's gift is actually to redistribute the magic to others. Abuela has a say in which gift each member of her family receives when they're younger, and it's connected to their defining trait.

"[In] Bruno, she saw a future Pedro would not, and the hope of being forewarned. Mirabel's mother had the power to heal, and was probably mother's little helper as a child. The last triplet obviously has a mood that could change as fast as the weather," they write.

This continued into the next generation of Madrigals, so they argue that Luisa might have been eager to help as a child leading to her gift of strength to help out, while Camilo doesn't know who he is yet, which led to his gift to shapeshift. But if this is the case, why does Mirabel end up with nothing?

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To put it simply/harshly, the theory argues that Abuela didn't really think Mirabel had a defining trait that could lead to a specific magical gift. "I don't think Abuela was fully aware of her power over this," the theory adds. "Mirabel might not have shown any strong inclinations, so Abuela was unsure. Thus Mirabel didn't receive a power."

Ouch.

It's a bit of a dark way to look at what is a delightful movie, so you might wish instead to focus on a different reason. One that potentially fits with this theory is that while Mirabel isn't given a gift, she has a bigger destiny as the new leader of the Casita.

If we assume that the candle/Casita hands out gifts based on a character's defining trait, then maybe what it saw in Mirabel was a loving successor to Abuela. She didn't need a power as her destiny was to be the next person to hand out the powers.

There's even a hint towards this as the one Madrigal we see get a power in the movie is Antonio. He's gifted with the ability to speak to and understand animals, and we know that Mirabel is aware of this as we see them bonding over it before the ceremony.

The theory, by Reddit user thegreendorito123, adds that aside from Abuela, it's Mirabel who has the closest connection to the Casita. It's her efforts that ensure the Casita is rebuilt after she brings everybody in the family together, while she's also seen talking to the house throughout.

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"Mirabel and [Abuela] are the only two people to be able to communicate with the Casita in the movie. This could show some sort of special relationship with the Casita and in turn, the magic in the house," they add.

The reason that Mirabel isn't given a room when she was a child is that she is actually destined to move into Abuela's, taking over her power when she sadly dies (unless her gift is also immortality, as that would mean Mirabel is waiting a long time).

We could also add in the theory here that the Casita is actually the spirit of Mirabel's grandfather Pedro, protecting her throughout and ensuring that she never feels left out even though she doesn't have a gift.

However we feel we've already given you enough emotional turmoil with the whole 'Mirabel has no use' theory that we'll leave that for another day.

Encanto is available to watch now on Disney+.

Ever since its release on November 24, 2021, Encanto has captivated audiences across the globe. Encanto tells the story of Alma and Pedro Madrigal, who flee their home in Colombia with their infant triplets – Julieta, Pepa, and Bruno – to escape armed conflict. Pedro is killed in the attack, but his sacrifice causes Alma’s candle to obtain magical qualities. Alma and her children are transported away from the chaos and into the magical community created by the candle.

50-years later, the candle’s magic has created a thriving community within an Encanto – a magical realm in the Colombian mountains. Alma is now Abuela and lives in the sentient house, Casita, with her adult children and grandchildren. The Encanto has also given a gift to each Madrigal child that allows them help the community thrive. Julieta’s youngest daughter, Mirabel, is the only Madrigal child to not receive a gift. However, Mirabel’s lack of a magical gift doesn’t stop her from setting out to save her family when the Encanto’s power begins to wane.

Much of Encanto focuses on the magical abilities of the Madrigal family. Each member has a special power that reflects their character and personality. However, the gifts also come with expectations and burdens for each individual, as well. Here are all of the magical gifts in Encanto, including Abuela’s.

Julieta

(Disney)

Julieta Madrigal (Angie Cepeda) is the daughter of Alma and wife of Agustín Madrigal (Wilmer Valderrama). Her special gift is cooking food with healing capabilities. Those who are physically injured come to Julieta and her cooking makes them whole again. Julieta’s gift fits perfectly with her warm and selfless personality. While she doesn’t have a big role in the film, her few moments are touching. She believes that Mirabel is perfect, with or without a gift, and strives to help her daughter see that. Julieta selflessly cooks for her entire family, both healing them and bringing them together as a family.

Pepa

(Disney)

Pepa Madrigal (Carolina Gaitán) is the second daughter of Alma and wife of Félix Madrigal (Mauro Castillo). She has the power to control the weather. However, her gift is also a bit of a curse, as her emotions frequently cause turbulent weather. Pepa reveals she even got married in a hurricane due to her flustered emotions. Any stress, nervousness, or excitement is immediately visible on the outside with the presence of a rain cloud. This means Pepa is constantly under pressure to control her emotions, lest it cause havoc for her and others. Much like the weather, the full extent of Pepa’s power is amazing, but also very dangerous, thus requiring restraint.

Bruno

(Disney)

Bruno Madrigal (John Leguizamo) is the only son of Alma and Pedro. Bruno is the ostracized member of the Madrigal family, who mysteriously disappeared. He has the power to tell the future through visions. However, his visions aren’t always clear, and the Madrigals fear what they don’t understand. When Bruno has a vision of Mirabel standing among the ruins of Casita, he destroys it and goes into hiding to protect her. Much like his power, Bruno is severely misunderstood. Just as his visions are never as morbid or terrible as they appear, Bruno is also not what he seems. Bruno isn’t a villain or a monster, just a caring uncle, son, and brother who wants to protect his family.

Dolores

(Disney)

Dolores Madrigal (Adassa) is the oldest daughter of Pepa and Félix Madrigal. Her power is superhuman hearing. As Mirabel states, Dolores can literally hear a pin drop. Her superhuman hearing means that she is usually the first to find out any gossip among the Madrigals. However, she greatly struggles to keep secrets and tends to blurt things out at the worst times. While she is very tuned in to everything around her, she sometimes forgets her own voice within. Dolores loves Mariano Guzmán (Maluma), but she keeps this secret because he is betrothed to someone else.

Camilo

(Disney)

Camilo Madrigal (Rhenzy Feliz) is the oldest son of Pepa and Félix Madrigal. He has the power of shapeshifting. Camilo creates mischief and jokes by taking the form of his family. For example, he sometimes shapeshifts as Dolores to get second helpings of food or into his father to tease Félix’s height. Camilo lightens the mood with his power and can create entertaining theatrics for the community. However, his shapeshifting also reflects the fact that he is young and isn’t sure who he really is.

Antonio

(Disney)

Antonio Madrigal (Ravi Cabot-Conyers) is the youngest son of Pepa and Félix Madrigal. He has the power to talk to animals. As the youngest member of the Madrigal family, Antonio is just receiving his gift in Encanto. Antonio forms a special bond with Mirabel and looks to her as an older sister. They find solidarity as the youngest family members lacking gifts. Antonio’s gift of speaking to animals shows his kindness and awareness for all creatures. The Madrigals don’t have much patience for anything that isn’t magical or that they can’t understand, but Antonio seems to break that mold with his unique gift.

Isabela

(Disney)

Isabela Madrigal (Diane Guerrero) is the oldest daughter of Julieta and Agustín Madrigal. She has the power to make flowers bloom and to create beauty around her. Just like the flowers that she grows, Isabela is beautiful, delicate, and dazzling in every way. Isabela, the successful oldest daughter, is also the first Madrigal grandchild set to be married. Betrothed to Mariano, she will carry on the family bloodline and make her family proud. However, Isabela doesn’t want a perfect, glamorous life or to be married to Mariano. She strives to be free, to let loose, and to create beauty that is fun and chaotic, not always orderly and perfect.

Luisa

(Disney)

Luisa Madrigal (Jessica Darrow) is the second-oldest daughter of Julieta and Agustín Madrigal. Luisa is the buff lady gifted with superhuman strength. She moves mountains, churches, and donkeys, and is as tough as the crust of the earth is. However, one thing that she can’t carry all on her own, is the pressure from her family. The Madrigal family expects her to carry the weight of all of their problems just because she is strong. Even the strongest person, however, cannot hold the weight of an entire family and all their burdens. Luisa has to learn that her strength doesn’t make her responsible for everyone and she needs time for joy and relaxation, too, instead of working all the time.

Mirabel

(Disney)

Mirabel is the youngest daughter of Julieta and Agustín Madrigal and the protagonist of the film. She didn’t receive a gift from the Encanto, but that doesn’t mean she is giftless. Mirabel doesn’t have the power to make the flower bloom or control a hurricane. However, she has something more magical – the power of love and hope. When the Encanto begins to lose its power, Mirabel is determined to find the reason. In the end, despite not being superpowered, she finds the power within herself to reconcile her family and save the Encanto. Mirabel’s gift is being the glue that holds her family together, through her unshakeable love and devotion to them.

Abuela

(Disney)

Abuela is the matriarch of the Madrigal family and has her own special power. Like Mirabel, Abuela wasn’t granted a gift by the Encanto, but instead is the holder of power for the entire family. As the keeper of the candle, Abuela oversees the magic of the Encanto and its community. However, it isn’t actually the candle that keeps the magic alive, it is the Madrigal family. The Encanto was enchanted by Alma and Pedro’s love for another and their children. Hence, Abuela’s actual power is to keep the magic of Encanto alive by keeping alive the original Madrigal love and bond that she and Pedro created.