Advertisements
“Turning Red” (titled in Latin America as "Grid" and in Brazil as “Red: Crescer é uma Fera”) is a 2022 animated film produced by Pixar Animation Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. Directed by Domee Shi, who won the Oscar for the short film Beam (2018), this film represents an important step in Pixar's evolution towards more personal, diverse and culturally specific stories.
This feature film is especially significant for being the Pixar's first film directed solely by a woman and also the first to openly depict the experience of female puberty, with a story that blends fantastic metaphors with very real emotions.
Advertisements
“Turning Red” was released directly into Disney+ on March 11, 2022, avoiding theaters due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but quickly becoming a cultural phenomenon. It was praised for both its visual style and its heartfelt and emotionally resonant story.
Synopsis
The story continues to Meilin “Mei” Lee, a 13-year-old Canadian girl of Chinese descent living in Toronto. Mei is a bright, funny, and confident teenager, who struggles between living up to her mother's expectations, Ming Lee, and follow their own interests and passions.
Advertisements
His life changes radically when, one morning, he wakes up and discovers that he has transformed into a huge furry red panda. You soon realize that this transformation occurs whenever you experience intense emotions, especially stress, embarrassment, or excitement.
Mei tries to hide her secret, but discovers that this curse is a family inheritanceAll the women in her family went through the same transformation. Tradition dictates that the red panda's spirit must be sealed through a ritual. However, Mei begins to see its "ferocity" as an essential part of who she is.
As she struggles with her emotions, her friendship with her inseparable friends —Miriam, Priya and Abby—, and the shared passion for the fictional pop band 4Town, Mei is forced to decide between obeying the strict family rules or accepting her true identity.
Cast (Original Voices)
- Rosalie Chiang as Meilin “Mei” Lee
- Sandra Oh as Ming Lee, Mei's mother
- Ava Morse as Miriam, Mei's best friend
- Maitreyi Ramakrishnan as Priya, another friend of the group
- Hyein Park as Abby, the most energetic of the group
- Orion Lee as Jin LeeMei's quiet father
- James Hong like Mei's grandfather
- Tristan Allerick Chen as Tyler, an annoying classmate
- Jordan Fisher, Josh Levi, Topher Ngo, Finneas O'Connell, and Grayson Villanueva like the members of the fictional band 4Town
Reviews
“Turning Red” was critically acclaimed for both its emotional content and its visual innovation. Many critics highlighted the way it addresses themes such as Puberty, cultural identity, anxiety, and family relationships in a fresh and honest way, without falling into clichés.
The film was praised for its cultural sensitivity, authentic portrayal of a Chinese-Canadian family, and for its openness about themes such as the physical and emotional changes of female adolescence, something rarely addressed with such frankness in animated films.
However, it wasn't without controversy. Some viewers criticized the film for focusing too much on a "specific" experience (being an Asian girl in Toronto), to which many critics and fans responded that this specificity is precisely what makes the story universal in its emotions.
The art director, music, and design were also highlighted by the film's press, with Domee Shi widely praised for her bold and creative direction.
Public reception
The public reception was generally very positive. In places like Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a score of more than 90% approval by critics, while audiences have rated it as one of Pixar's most beloved films in recent years.
In IMDb“Turning Red” maintains a solid rating, especially among young people and families who identified with Mei’s experience.
Many mothers and teens celebrated the way the film presents female adolescence in a straightforward way, discussing bodily changes, intense emotions, and generational conflicts in a fun, empathetic, and accessible way.
The soundtrack—especially the songs from 4Town written by Billie Eilish and Finneas— went viral on social media, and thousands of TikTok videos were created celebrating scenes from the film, Mei quotes, and choreography to the songs.
Technical and visual aspects
“Turning Red” represents a notable visual shift for Pixar. Unlike the studio’s other films that strive for stylized realism, this film embraces a more inspired by Japanese anime and traditional Asian animationThe character design features larger eyes, exaggerated gestures, vivid colors, and quick expressive changes, such as sweat on the forehead, glowing eyes, and classic anime comic effects.
The color palette revolves around tones pink, red and orange, symbolizing not only the red panda but also the emotional intensity of puberty.
The animation team used innovative techniques to capture Mei's teenage energy, with simulated moving cameras, rapid movements, and cartoonish yet tightly controlled art direction.
The music, composed by Ludwig Göransson (Oscar winner for Black Panther), blends traditional Chinese sounds, modern instruments, and 2000s pop to create a nostalgic and energetic atmosphere.
Furthermore, the sound design plays an important role in highlighting Mei's emotions and moments of transformation. The red panda's sound is a mix of comical roars and dramatic sighs that emphasize both the character's tenderness and chaos.
Conclusion
“Turning Red” is an animated gem that dares to do what few family films do: speak honestly about adolescence, family pressure, identity, and internal transformation in a unique and very personal way.
Domee Shi manages to balance humor, tenderness, teenage awkwardness, and emotional depth in a story that, while specific to its culture and setting, achieves a emotional universality shocking.
The film not only represents a milestone for Pixar in terms of representation, but also paves the way for future stories that celebrate diversity, individuality, and the power of accepting ourselves as we are—even when that means embracing our own “red panda.”
Ultimately, “Turning Red” isn’t just a teen comedy about a girl who turns into a giant panda. It’s a A powerful metaphor for growth, the chaos of growing up, and the courage it takes to be authentic.With its vibrant style, catchy music, and immense heart, this film has earned a special place in the hearts of audiences and in the history of contemporary animation.
