Simulacra and Hyperreality in the Construction of Family Perfection In Encanto (2021)

Abstract

This study examined the construction of family perfection in the animated film Encanto through Jean Baudrillard’s theory of simulacra and hyperreality. The research aimed to identify how media representations constructed ideal family images and how these representations developed into hyperreality. This study employed a qualitative descriptive approach using textual analysis within cultural and media studies. The data consisted of dialogues, visual symbols, character interactions, and narrative structures found in the film. The analysis focused on symbolic elements such as magical gifts, the Casita, family roles, and collective narratives that shaped the image of the Madrigal family. The findings showed that the film constructed family perfection through systems of signs and symbols that replaced authentic human identity with socially constructed expectations. The Madrigal family functioned as a simulacrum in which individual value was determined by symbolic roles rather than emotional authenticity. Furthermore, the representation of perfection developed into hyperreality, where both the characters and society accepted the illusion of perfection as reality. The collapse of the Casita symbolized the breakdown of this hyperreal construction and revealed the importance of emotional honesty and acceptance within family relationships.