Have you seen the new Pixar movie, Turning Red? Even if you haven’t watched it yet, I’m guessing you may have heard about it—and some of what you heard might not have been good. Spoiler alert: I disagree with the criticism being thrown at this movie, and we are here to talk about the giant panda in the room today.

First, the basics – Turning Red is an animated kids movie about a 13-year-old girl living in Toronto. Mei-Lin is Chinese-Canadian, and like pretty much every 13-year-old ever, she’s also going through some changes. After a particularly difficult interaction with her mom, she turns into a giant red panda. Before this movie was even released last week, I was reading criticism and that did not stop after the public could flip on Disney+ and watch for themselves.

I invited my friends Michelle Reyes and Tasha Jun to talk with me about Turning Red, and I hope you’ll join us on the couch for a conversation full of, yes, pushback and opinions but also really good insight from my friends who are moms, Christians, and Asian Americans.

If you’ve been waiting for things to get spicy here on The Couch, today is your day. Let’s jump right in.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

  • “Turning Red” is a turning point for Asians in film. Why is it seen as unrelatable? (NPR)
  • Domee Shi on Her “Weird” Film About “Magical Puberty,” “Turning Red” (Uproxx)
  • People Think “Turning Red” is Too Mature for Kids, but Here are 10 Disney Movies That Are Actually Inappropriate (Buzzfeed)
  • Questions to ask your kids after watching “Turning Red” together (Instagram)

NOT-SO-GUILTY PLEASURES:

DON’T FORGET:

Welcome to The Couch!

This post may include affiliate links. This means that if you click and purchase, I might receive a small commission at no extra charge to you.

What should you watch next?

 

Every month, we are bombarded with new TV series and movies—and it can be overwhelming to figure out what to watch! (I know, I know, what a problem to have!) I'm here to help. My monthly Watch Guides list out all the returning series, new series, and new movies, along with premiere dates and where to watch them. Plus, I tell you my personal picks for the month to help you narrow it all down.

Drop your name and email here, and I'll send you this month's Watch Guide right away!


(Signing up gives me permission to email you. But I will never, ever send you spam or junk. Who has time for that?!)

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This