The Problem with Frozen

Frozen isn't just bad. It's poison.

It’s the movie where Disney’s long beloved theme of self-discovery reached its dark conclusion. Ever since Ariel sang about wanting to be part of our world and Belle sang that she wanted adventure in the great wide somewhere, self-discovery has been an unmistakable part of Disney’s formula.

Frozen arrived in 2013 at the beginning of our modern era of self obsession. That, combined with the long germinating seed of self-discovery from the Renaissance era and the writer’s misunderstanding of their own story, ferments into the mess that is Frozen.

Contrary to what Disney insists, Elsa is the antagonist of the movie. She incites the immediate conflict. She places everyone in danger because of her self-serving behavior. She is the character that needs to repent and return to her sister that loves her. Her reckless behavior culminates in the traditional Disney Villain song.

“Let it Go.”

The song that ruined a generation of kids. Maybe literally in some cases. Because Elsa is doing something she shouldn’t. She has run from her only family and responsibilities and in so doing is putting her kingdom in danger. Yet the song frames the moment as one of self-discovery and fulfillment. And thus the seed planted by Ariel and Belle has come to bear fruit at last.

Self-discovery is no longer about becoming a mature adult and integrating into society, but about being your true self, the most you that you could possibly be, even at the expense of everyone around you.

“Let it go” is the song of the villain, the hymn of selfishness, framed as a hero's anthem, chanted by a generation of children who now carry it into adulthood. It is poison.

And the second movie takes it further.

Elsa hears a voice in the north and chases it, discovering that it is her mother calling to her, and for a moment you think the story will ring true, that the message will be about the responsibility of inheriting a legacy. Elsa asks the voice to ‘Show Yourself’ and asks if it was the one she’s been looking for all her life.

And then the Seed of Self-Discovery blossoms fully into the Cult of Self.

Show yourself! Step into your power. Grow yourself into something new. You are the one you’ve been waiting for all of your life.

Elsa hasn’t been looking for someone else. Or a heritage. Or anything of external worth. It’s merely her own reflection and the audience vicariously learns this lesson through Elsa. Self expression. Your truest self. This is what you were made for.

You are the one you’ve been waiting for all of your life.

Narcissus couldn’t be more proud.

Elsa and her mother don’t just sing this to each other with tears in their eyes, but to the audience as well. Because it is the audience who is being sung to. The audience is being told that THEY are all they’ve ever wanted.

The Cult of Self. Radical Moral Autonomy.

And that’s where we are in society. Men can be women and women can be men. What someone feels about themselves is the most important thing. We emphasize human will over human nature. The self over others and the perception of self over all.

So after all this, we must admit that Elsa is a villain, though her conquest is not of a fictional kingdom, but the hearts and minds of those who internalize the damning principles she teaches.

Let it go, let it go
Turn away and slam the door
I don't care what they're going to say

and…

You are the one you’ve been waiting for all of your life.

Reject this nonsense. Reject Elsa's Cult of Self.

God didn’t create you to worship the image in the mirror.