The Madrigals are a magical family with various powers in Mirabel Madrigal (Stephanie Beatriz) explains in "The Family Madrigal," her family each have magical abilities. For instance, Luisa (Jessica Darrow) has super strength, Isabela (Diane Guerrero) can make flowers grow, Pepa (Carolina Gaitán) controls the weather, and Julieta (Angie Cepeda) can make food that heals ailments. Even better, the family uses the powers to help others.
Of course, not all of the Madrigals have gifts. Both Mirabel and Abuela Alma (Maria Cecilia Botero and Olga Merediz) don't receive powers in the film. Instead, they are the catalysts for the family's miracle and their loved ones gaining powers. Abuela Alma received a miracle on the night her husband, Pedro, died, and Mirabel helped bring the miracle back to the Madrigals after the family built a new house in the film. Additionally, Agustín (Wilmer Valderrama) and Felix (Mauro Castillo) married into the family. Because of that, the pair are ordinary men who the Madrigals the best they can.
Though the Madrigals have special abilities, their powers aren't limitless. From Pepa and her weather powers to Luisa and her super-strength, the Madrigals have a cap on what they can do. Though the film doesn't reveal everything about the Madrigal powers, it hints at the true nature of each Madrigal member's abilities.
Pepa Controls The Weather ... But Not Always
Pepa Madrigal, Mirabel's theatrical aunt, laments Bruno (John Leguizamo) bringing rain to her wedding day, which may show she doesn't have the control over the weather that fans might initially think. The weather around her reacts to her moods, which are erratic and often uncontrollable. It's sunny when she's happy, but it instantly turns to rain when she's in a bad mood. Additionally, Jared Bush, one of the film's directors, said (via Twitter) that Pepa wouldn't be able to stop natural disasters such as hurricanes. She'd try, but her weather-controlling powers appear to have a smaller footprint.
Bruno Can See The Future ... But Doesn't Understand It
Alma's son Bruno has visions of the future, though people often associate him with bringing bad news. In fact, the town has an entire choreographed song called "We Don't Talk About Bruno" that reveals all the misery his predictions bring. Though Bruno can see the future, he has specific requirements. The film explains that he needs open space to have visions, and accessible areas are somewhat hard to find after Mirabel destroys his bedroom. Bruno also seems to have trouble understanding his visions. In fact, his confusion over a vision involving Mirabel and the family's house falling apart led to him hiding in the house's walls for a decade.
Julieta's Food Can Heal ... But It Doesn't Fix Everything
Alma's daughter Julieta is a chef who can heal people with meals. In the film, she even makes Mirabel's wounded hand heal instantly with an arepa. However, her healing food has limits as well. Julieta can fix broken bones and eliminate diseases, but she can't change things that are a part of someone. For example, Jared Bush explained (via Twitter) that Julieta's food wouldn't heal Mirabel's eyesight since her glasses are a part of who she is.
Dolores Has Super Hearing ... But There May Be A Limit
In the film, Dolores (Adassa), Pepa and Felix's daughter, shows off her super hearing several times, revealing she can hear conversations through walls and buildings. She even has a suspicion that Bruno Madrigal is still around, hearing her uncle hiding in the house's walls. Dolores also uses this ability to her own benefit, feeding the family false info to freak out Isabela when her cousin is going to marry Mariano (Maluma). In "The Family Madrigal," Mirabel explains that Dolores can hear things "a mile away," which may be about her hearing limitations. But, of course, Dolores has never left the magical village in Encanto, so it's possible she could stretch her hearing even more. However, loud sounds appear to be her downfall.
Camilo Can Shapeshift ... But It's Only To Imitate
Camilo Madrigal (Rhenzy Feliz), Pepa and Felix's oldest son, can shapeshift into others, which helps with his pranks and getting extra helpings of food during dinner. However, the young Madrigal wouldn't gain any superhuman abilities during his body changes. For instance, if Camilo Madrigal turned into Luisa, he'd get all the power of a regular person who's Luisa's size. However, he wouldn't get her super-strength. Art of Encanto, Disney's behind-the-scenes look at the movie, reveals that Camilo could also transform into animals, though the film never clearly includes that detail.
Antonio Talks To Animals ... But Doesn't Control Them
Felix and Pepa's youngest son, Antonio (Ravi Cabot-Conyers), is the newest member of the Madrigals to get powers in Encanto. In the film, Antonio receives the ability to talk to animals, which seemingly obey his commands. For instance, he has the chance to ride around on a jaguar and direct it not to eat Bruno's rats. But he doesn't control the animals, so the coatis go around and put together the pieces of Bruno's vision on their own, and his jaguar could always chow down on Bruno's little friends later.
Luisa Has Super Strength ... But Pressure Gets To Her
Luisa, Julieta and Agustín's oldest daughter, has the weight of the world on her shoulders, so it's good she has the power of strength. Though Luisa briefly loses her strength in Encanto and sometimes crumbles emotionally under her responsibilities, there doesn't seem to be a clearly defined limit to her powers. Throughout the movie, Luisa moves heavy objects such as bridges, quickly lifting them regardless of what point of the object she's holding. But that's just the start of her abilities. In "Surface Pressure" and "Waiting on a Miracle," Encanto indicates that Luisa can literally move mountains. Luisa also sings in "Surface Pressure" that she can flatten diamonds, one of the hardest materials on Earth. Since the rest of the Madrigals appear to have limits on their abilities, Luisa does as well. Encanto just doesn't show what those are.
Isabela Creates Flowers ... But What Else Can She Do?
Julieta and Agustín's daughter Isabela has the power to create plants out of thin air, but her abilities hold her hostage in Encanto. Because of Abuela's expectations, Isabela forces herself only to make beautiful flowers, even creating curtains of flowers around her bed that are secretly restricting. However, with Mirabel's help, Isabela eventually acts like her true self, creating edgy plants and even changing her "perfect" appearance. During "What Else Can I Do?" Isabela even produces Strangling Figs, which shows she can create fruit-bearing plants. And she does this all while dancing around, showing her Madrigal family powers don't necessarily cause her physical strain. With this power, Isabela could potentially create an endless food resource for her village by herself. Though Luisa has actual strength, Isabela's life-creating ability could make her the strongest Madrigal of all in Encanto.
