Content Warning: The following article contains spoilers for the Disney movie Turning Red.
Pixar’s Turning Red has rightly become an instant classic, thanks to its lovable protagonist Meilin Lee and her wild experiences with her red panda. The internal turmoil she faces and her conflict with her family throughout the film have given fans some tear-jerking moments, which often come with well-written lines.
The saddest quotes in Turning Red often highlight Mei’s struggles with her awkward situation. She’s caught between her family’s expectations and what she actually wants to do. As fans learn more behind-the-scenes facts and details about what inspired the film (like video games as covered by Screen Rant), it’s the perfect time to rediscover some of the saddest quotes from the Disney movie.
Meilin Lee:
“I Do Make My Own Moves, It’s Just That Some Of My Moves Are Also Hers.”
Mei’s monologue during the start of the film sets her up as one of the funniest characters in Turning Red, but it also hints at her complicated relationship with her mom. When her friends ask her to hang out, she turns them down for “cleaning day,” which is just one of the many responsibilities she has at home.
When Mei its that some of her moves “are also hers,” viewers are introduced to her mom Ming, who immediately berates her for being “ten minutes late.” It’s one of the first indications of something being not quite right about Mei’s supposedly awesome life.
Ming Lee:
“I Never Went To Concerts! I Put My Family First! I Tried To Be A Good Daughter!”
The most intense confrontation between Mei and Ming takes place during 4*Town’s concert where the protagonist stands up to her mom, explaining how all she “wanted was to go to a concert.” Ming’s response about how she “never went to concerts” because she put her “family first” speaks volumes about her own teenage years.
She had to be “a good daughter” to Grandma Wu, who is arguably even stricter than she is. Her exasperated response to Mei says a lot about how cultural and familial expectations weighed heavily on her, too.
Ming Lee:
“I See You, Mei-Mei – You Try To Make Everyone Happy, But Are So Hard On Yourself, And If I Taught You That, I'm Sorry.”
Ming and Mei finally reach a point where they understand where the other is coming from towards the end of the film. Ming’s moving line about how she sees the way Mei tries “to make everyone happy” is what the protagonist needed to hear at that moment.
The tear-jerking scene between the mother and daughter highlights how much their relationship has changed over the course of the movie. It’s a satisfying moment of self-awareness on Ming’s part, who finally sees the role she played in Mei’s negative perception of herself.
Miriam Mendelsohn:
“Mei, You Threw Us Under The Bus.”
Most fans would agree that Miriam is the most likable character in Turning Red, which is why it’s so hard to see her feel disappointed by Mei’s actions. When Mei tries to apologize for the way she let her mom blame her friends, Miriam coldly retorts by reminding the protagonist that she “threw” them “under the bus.”
It’s a scene that underscores how much Mei hurt her friends at that party, which they certainly didn’t deserve. Thankfully, it becomes a much more lighthearted scene when it’s revealed that Miriam has been taking care of Robaire Junior.
Meilin Lee:
“You Are Her Pride And Joy, So Act Like It!”
After an embarrassing experience with her mom and the clerk, Devon, Mei starts blaming herself for being a “sicko” who draws “horrible, awful, sexy things.” She even talks to her reflection, reminding herself that she is Ming’s “pride and joy,” so she should “act like it.”
It’s a scene that emphasizes how much the protagonist has internalized the shame that comes with disappointing her mother. Even though Mei didn’t do anything wrong, she ends up blaming herself for Ming’s insensitive actions. She speaks to herself like her mother would, even though she’s only thirteen.
Grandma Wu:
“You Are Your Mother's Whole World, Mei-Mei. I Know You'll Do What's Right.”
When Grandma Wu suspects that Mei has been letting her panda out, she tells her a vague story about how she and Ming “were close once” until “the red panda took that away.” It almost sounds like a threat when she reminds Mei to do “what’s right” and keep her panda locked away.
Although she redeems herself by the end of the movie, this sad conversation between her and Mei highlights Grandma Wu’s role in perpetuating unrealistic expectations in her family. She unfairly uses Mei’s love for Ming to force the protagonist to make the right choice (by Grandma Wu’s standards).
Young Ming Lee:
“I Got So Angry, And I Lost Control. I'm Just So Sick Of Being Perfect! I'm Never Gonna Be Good Enough For Her… Or Anyone.”
Mei is finally able to relate to Ming when she meets a younger version of her mother, who is sobbing because she “hurt” Grandma Wu. Ming’s lines about losing control and being “so sick of being perfect” but never being “good enough” ring true for Mei, who is experiencing the same thing.
It’s a heartbreaking scene that underscores how it’s a generational problem and the first step for Mei to be able to break that vicious cycle. The interaction is eye-opening for both Ming and Mei, serving as a starting point for the much-needed healing process in their relationship.
Jin Lee:
“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, Live With It.”
While Jin mostly stays in the background for most of the film, he does share one unforgettable moment with his daughter after he finds videos of her having fun with her red panda. He reminds his daughter that “people have all kinds of sides” and that it’s alright that “some sides are messy.”
It’s a thought-provoking line that gives Mei the validation she needs from at least one of her parents. Fans can’t be blamed for shedding a tear or two at this point, especially after Mei its to her dad that she feels like “a monster.”
Grandma Wu:
“Like All The Women Around This Table, You Too Will Banish The Beast Within And Finally Become Your True Self.”
Since Grandma Wu is the head of the family, she’s seen as the smartest character in Mei’s clan and makes the key decisions. This is why she can confidently direct Mei to “banish the beast” like everyone else has, encouraging her to become her “true self.”
While this may have been an empowering moment for her, her words served as another sad reminder for Mei, who is seriously questioning whether she wants to go through the ritual. The unrealistic expectations and internal turmoil would soon become too much for the teenager.
Meilin Lee:
“I'm Changing, Mom – I'm Finally Figuring Out Who I Am, But I'm Scared It'll Take Me Away From You.”
When Mei and Ming finally truly connect with each other and can understand how they’ve both made mistakes, the protagonist reaches out to her mother one last time before embracing her panda. She its that she’s “scared” that in the process of “figuring out who” she is, she and Ming will drift apart.
It’s the most emotional scene in the film, with most viewers likely finding themselves sobbing when Ming tells Mei that “the farther” she goes, “the prouder” she’ll be. It sets up the movie’s bittersweet ending that resolves the central conflict between the two characters.
