If you haven’t seen Encanto, you’re seriously missing out. The 2021 Disney flick packs a punch—visually, emotionally, and, okay, if we’re being honest, with a whole lotta magic. I’m talking about the magical Madrigal family, who live in a house that’s basically the lovechild of Alice in Wonderland and The Avengers. Every family member has their own power, and the magic holds everything together. But here’s the kicker: Mirabel Madrigal, the one cousin with zero magical abilities, is the one holding the whole thing up.

So, buckle in, because we’re about to dive deep into how Mirabel becomes the unsung hero of Encanto—and no, not just because she doesn’t turn into a talking candle, like her cousin Antonio. This girl is the beating heart of the whole family.

Who Is Mirabel Madrigal?

First off, let me introduce you to Mirabel Madrigal, the girl who stole the show (and maybe a little bit of my heart). So, here’s the deal: Mirabel Madrigal family is basically a superhero squad. Her sister, Isabela, can make roses bloom with a flick of her finger, her brother, Luisa, can lift a whole donkey cart, and her cousin, Antonio, can talk to animals. It’s like X-Men, but with more magic and fewer leather costumes.

Now, Mirabel? Well, she doesn’t get a gift. Nada. Zilch. The only thing she’s got going for her is her big heart, a wicked sense of humor, and maybe a slight overuse of the phrase “I’m fine!” when, well, she’s obviously not. Her whole life she’s felt… kinda left out, you know? And let’s be honest, that kinda sucks.

But Wait, Why Does Mirabel’s Lack of Magic Matter?

Okay, let’s pause here. You might be wondering: Why does her not having magic even matter? I mean, we’re talking about a magical family, right? Well, Mirabel’s “lack” of magic is actually her superpower. Sounds cheesy? Trust me, I get it. But bear with me. The whole movie is built on the idea that we’re more than our gifts, more than our external powers. In fact, Mirabel Madrigal lack of a visible magic is exactly what helps her connect with people. She sees the cracks in her family—the unspoken expectations, the pressure, the stress—and she doesn’t need a special power to help them heal.

I’m not saying it’s easy for her, though. I mean, imagine being surrounded by people who can literally move mountains, while you’re stuck with the ability to… well, stare at said mountains. But Mirabel doesn’t let this stop her from being the glue that holds everything together.

Mirabel Madrigal: The Heartbeat of the Family

Okay, so here’s the truth: Encanto is a family drama on steroids. It’s not just about the magic, but about the relationships. The Madrigals, for all their magical powers, have got some serious baggage. Y’all ever had a family reunion that made you wonder if you were all even related? Yeah. Mirabel feels that on a whole other level.

The Family Dynamics—It’s Complicated

At the core of the family’s tension is Abuela Alma, the matriarch, who holds everything together with an iron fist… and a suspicious obsession with perfection. She’s got this magical gift too, of course—she literally can’t see her family without viewing them through the lens of their powers. As a result, the Madrigals, even the ones who’ve long since passed, feel this massive weight of living up to expectations. And here comes Mirabel, the one who doesn’t fit the mold, left to sort out the emotional rubble.

And that’s not all—Mirabel Madrigal older sister Isabela is the golden child. I mean, this girl is basically perfect: flowers bloom under her touch, her hair always looks like a shampoo commercial, and her smile could probably cure depression. Meanwhile, Mirabel Madrigal? She’s in the back, playing second fiddle to her “perfect” sister, and frankly? It sucks. Big time.

But, you know what? Mirabel’s persistence—her willingness to break the mold and not just accept her family’s dysfunction—turns out to be the thing that saves them all. Seriously. Sometimes the one without the powers is the one who sees what others can’t. And it’s through Mirabel that her family learns to accept each other—not for their magic, but for who they really are.

A Few Key Moments with the Fam

The real turning point comes when Mirabel realizes that the family’s magic isn’t just about their powers; it’s about their connection to one another. It’s like trying to fix your grandma’s ancient recipe book: you need all the ingredients in the right amounts, or it doesn’t work. Her relationship with Abuela Alma, which was a bit strained at first, is central to this realization. Mirabel starts seeing that Abuela’s actions, while seemingly harsh, were motivated by a deep, deep fear of losing their magic.

Mirabel’s interactions with Isabela are another pivotal part of her growth. Isabela, who’s practically the “ideal” child, is tired of being perfect. It’s exhausting, frankly. And Mirabel, in all her imperfect glory, helps Isabela realize that it’s okay to be flawed. (You’d be surprised how hard it is to break the chains of perfection when your whole family is counting on you to be flawless.)

Saving the Magic: Mirabel’s Role in the Family’s Future

So, let’s fast forward past three failed attempts to “fix” the house, to Mirabel’s biggest moment. The magic starts to fade. The whole house is on the brink of crumbling, and no one knows why. Enter Mirabel, who—spoiler alert—becomes the key to saving it all.

The Big Moment of Truth

Here’s where it gets hella emotional, so hold on. Mirabel’s family has been holding onto their powers, and their secrets, for so long that they’ve become disconnected from each other. The magic is tied to their emotional well-being, and as their bonds have weakened, so has the magic. Mirabel’s role? To bring them all back together. She doesn’t have magical powers, but what she does have is something much more powerful: the ability to mend hearts.

And, shocker—it works. The house doesn’t just survive; it thrives. Mirabel teaches her family that being perfect is overrated, and that love, connection, and mutual support are the true sources of magic.

Mirabel’s Legacy: The True Heart of Encanto

Here’s the kicker, friends: Mirabel is the heart of Encanto. Everyone else has these fantastic gifts—Antonio can talk to animals, Luisa is stronger than a bulldozer—but Mirabel? She’s the emotional center, the one who holds the Madrigal family together. Her growth throughout the movie isn’t about discovering some hidden superpower. It’s about realizing that her ability to love and empathize with others is enough.

She learns, and teaches us, that being “magical” is not about perfecting every move or solving every problem. It’s about being human, imperfections and all. She’s the embodiment of this truth: Magic is not just a gift. It’s the heart of family.

The Emotional Impact of Mirabel’s Journey

I’m telling you, Mirabel Madrigal journey hits hard. The growth, the family dynamics, the magic—everything ties back to this universal truth: we don’t have to be perfect to be loved. We don’t have to “do” magic to be magical. And honestly? That hit me right in the feels.

I might not have a family like the Madrigals (thank God), but I’ve got a whole lot of imperfections—and Mirabel’s story was a reminder that those imperfections are worth celebrating. And if my mediocre herb garden can survive my lack of gardening skills, well, maybe we all have a little magic in us after all.

Conclusion: Mirabel is the Real Magic

Mirabel Madrigal isn’t just a character in Encanto. She’s the lifeblood of the story. Her heart, her resilience, and her love for her family are the true magic. And while her powers may not be as flashy as her siblings, Mirabel proves that the most important thing we have is each other. Magic? It’s love. It’s family. And honestly, it’s a little bit of Imperfect Mirabel-style chaos, too.