"Disney :: 2 Films 10 Years Apart"

The dangers of expressive individualism and how it may have crept into our homes.

Disney and Pixar often create stories that reflect struggles we all face. While Disney doesn't base its morals on the Bible, it’s worth exploring how two of their movies, Brave and Turning Red, tackle emotions and relationships. These films, released ten years apart, show a shift from focusing on doing the right thing to focusing on individual feelings. Let’s compare these movies and what the Bible teaches us about emotions and reconciliation.

The Storylines

In Brave, Merida rebels against her mother’s expectations, causing a misunderstanding that leads to conflict. The movie emphasizes apologizing, seeking forgiveness, and restoring relationships through humility. This reflects the biblical principle found in Proverbs 28:13: "Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy."

In Turning Red, Mei’s transformation into a giant red panda symbolizes her emotions and coming-of-age struggles. The film celebrates self-expression and balancing personal desires with family expectations. However, it leans heavily on self-acceptance, often overlooking moral accountability and repentance. For example, Mei’s actions and fantasies throughout the film raise questions about whether the movie’s message aligns with biblical values. While recognizing emotions is important, the Bible warns us about letting them control us: "The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately sick; who can understand it?" (Jeremiah 17:9)

Contrasting Themes

1. Emotional Control vs. Emotional Expression

   • In Brave, emotions are something to manage and reconcile. Merida learns to temper her independence with humility, and her mother learns to balance tradition with understanding. Their reconciliation mirrors Proverbs 15:1: "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."

   • In Turning Red, emotions are celebrated as something to embrace. Mei is encouraged to express her feelings without shame and reject external expectations. While this promotes authenticity, it risks suggesting that emotions are always trustworthy guides. Yet, the Bible reminds us that unchecked emotions can lead us astray: "Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly" (Proverbs 14:29).

2. Reconciliation vs. Acceptance

   • The resolution in Brave centers on repentance and restoration. James 5:16 says, "Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed." Both Merida and her mother acknowledge their faults and work toward healing their relationship.

   • In Turning Red, Mei finds peace through self-acceptance, often prioritizing her desires over her family’s expectations. While self-awareness is valuable, it shouldn’t overshadow the need for accountability and reconciliation. Colossians 3:13 reminds us, "Forgive as the Lord forgave you," emphasizing that relationships thrive on grace and forgiveness, not just acceptance.

     
     

The Dangers of Following Our Feelings

"People have all kinds of sides to them, Mei, and some sides are messy. The point isn’t to push the bad stuff away—it’s to make room for it and live with it."

While Turning Red encourages embracing emotions, it also suggests that feelings can be a reliable guide. Mei's journey throughout the film centers on discovering and accepting the emotional chaos that comes with puberty. The transformation into a giant red panda becomes a visual metaphor for her uncontrollable emotions—anger, excitement, embarrassment—every time they bubble to the surface. In the movie, Mei’s emotional outbursts are often portrayed as empowering. She is taught to honor her feelings. At one point, Mei’s father says,

"People have all kinds of sides to them, Mei, and some sides are messy. The point isn’t to push the bad stuff away—it’s to make room for it and live with it."

This mindset contrasts with biblical truth. The Bible acknowledges the importance of emotions but cautions against letting them dictate our actions:

• "Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger" (Ephesians 4:26).

• "Whoever conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool" (Proverbs 10:18).

God created emotions, but in our fallen world, they can mislead us if not aligned with His Word. Mei’s story highlights the risks of elevating emotions above truth, leading to self-centeredness and ignoring God’s design for relationships. The film leans heavily on self-expression and personal freedom, even at the cost of family harmony and respect for authority. Mei’s declaration, "My panda, my choice," echoes the modern cultural ethos of "expressive individualism," where personal desires are prioritized above all else, often to the detriment of relationships.

What Does the Bible Say About Emotions?

The Bible neither ignores nor condemns emotions. Instead, it shows how they should be guided by truth:

• "Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep" (Romans 12:15).

• "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me" (Psalm 51:10).

God Himself experiences emotions—love, compassion, righteous anger—but they are always perfectly aligned with His character. Our emotions, however, need to be brought under the authority of Scripture through the Holy Spirit’s guidance.

Which Approach Do You Think Is Healthier?

Both Brave and Turning Red explore real-life struggles and offer valuable lessons:

• Brave highlights humility, repentance, and the beauty of reconciliation—a deeply biblical approach to conflict.

• Turning Red emphasizes self-awareness and embracing emotions. While this is important, it falls short by not addressing sin and the need for repentance.

The healthiest approach prioritizes biblical principles over cultural narratives. To steward our emotions biblically, we should:

1. Acknowledge and express emotions honestly (Psalm 34:18).

2. Confess and repent where sin has caused harm (1 John 1:9).

3. Seek reconciliation with others and with God (Matthew 5:23-24).

Final Thoughts

As Christians, we’re called to handle emotions wisely, recognizing both their God-given purpose and their potential to mislead us. Whether you relate more to Brave or Turning Red, let Scripture guide you in navigating emotions and relationships. Christ Himself is our ultimate example, showing us how to express emotions righteously and seek reconciliation with humility and love.