Exploring Intergenerational Trauma in a Pixar Film and a Hollywood Scandal
Turning Red, Pixar’s latest film, tells the story of Mei, a 13-year-old girl whose emotions cause her to transform into a giant red panda. The film explores the theme of intergenerational trauma, focusing on how family pressures and impossible standards are passed down from one generation to the next. Mei’s mother, Ming, demands perfection because she faced similar demands from her own mother, reflecting how love can unintentionally be a source of emotional harm.
While this story resonates with many people who have experienced familial expectations, it also reflects larger themes of inherited trauma, relevant to real-life situations. The film sheds light on how behaviors, expectations, and emotional legacies are passed from grandparents to parents to children, often without questioning whether they’re healthy or destructive. In Turning Red, Mei’s emotional transformation is rooted in her ancestors’ desire to protect loved ones, illustrating how the burden of love can sometimes cause harm.
This brings us to Will Smith and his infamous Oscar slap of Chris Rock. Although his actions have been heavily analyzed, it’s important to consider how intergenerational trauma could have influenced Smith’s behavior. Smith has spoken about witnessing domestic violence as a child, watching his father abuse his mother, and it’s possible that this emotional scar influenced his reactions.
Trauma, especially of the intergenerational kind, doesn’t always stem from extreme or life-threatening situations. It can arise from high expectations, family pressure, or emotional neglect. The patterns seen in Turning Red—the way impossible standards are handed down—mirror how trauma can be passed through generations, leaving individuals emotionally damaged without fully understanding why.
This doesn’t excuse Smith’s behavior, but it helps contextualize it within the larger theme of inherited emotional scars. Just like Mei’s mother projects her own trauma onto her daughter, Smith’s childhood experiences likely shaped his reactions as an adult. This cyclical nature of trauma is what makes it so complex and difficult to address.
Understanding intergenerational trauma, as highlighted in Turning Red, is the first step to breaking the cycle. By acknowledging how emotional pain can be passed down, individuals can start to heal and prevent further harm. Turning Red offers a powerful message of love, healing, and self-awareness, and perhaps Smith could benefit from watching it.
At its core, the film shows that even the best intentions—like protecting loved ones—can sometimes lead to unintended harm. It’s a reminder that we must confront the emotional legacies we inherit and work toward breaking harmful cycles. Hopefully, for Smith and others struggling with similar challenges, understanding the roots of trauma can lead to healing.
