In 2023, Elemental follows the beloved traditions of Pixar while also highlighting the studio's ongoing struggles with LGBTQ+ representation. The film, directed by Peter Sohn, takes viewers back to original storytelling after the Toy Story spinoff Lightyear. Set in Element City, where fire, water, land, and air elements coexist, Elemental introduces Ember Lumen, a bold fire elemental voiced by Leah Lewis, and Wade Ripple, a laid-back water elemental voiced by Mamoudou Athie. Their romance beautifully showcases that love transcends differences.
Although all the elements reside in Element City, they are not supposed to mix. However, when Ember and Wade cross paths, they unexpectedly embark on an adventure together throughout the city.
Elemental captures the essence of a classic Pixar movie with its characters venturing on a thrilling journey. Along the way, they discover more about themselves and others, sprinkled with playful nods to other beloved Pixar films.
Regrettably, Elemental follows a trend in Pixar's history with LGBTQ+ representation. Once again, LGBTQ+ characters are relegated to the background, continuing a disappointing pattern.
You can watch Elemental on Disney+ for an entertaining and heartwarming experience.
Elemental Has Two Very Minor LGBTQ+ Characters
Lake & Ghibli Can Be Seen In Wade's Family's Apartment
Lake, Ember, and Wade at the dining table in Elemental - Lake & Ghibli Can Be Seen In Wade's Family's Apartment - Elemental Has Two Very Minor LGBTQ+ Characters
In Elemental, there are two LGBTQ+ characters, but they play minor roles in the story. When Ember and Wade start to develop feelings for each other, Wade invites Ember to meet his family. Visiting Wade's family is quite an adventure as their apartment is filled with flowing water. During this visit, Ember and the audience are introduced to Wade's sibling, Lake, who is non-binary and goes by they/them pronouns. Lake's girlfriend, Ghibli, is also present, making them the only LGBTQ+ characters in Elemental.
Although Lake and Ghibli are important characters, they do not have any dialogue and only make a brief appearance.
Unfortunately, Pixar has a poor track record when it comes to LGBTQ+ representation. LGBTQ+ characters are often minor or background characters. In the movie Lightyear, there is a lesbian couple portrayed by Alisha Hawthorne (Uzo Aduba) and her wife Kiko. However, Alisha, who plays a significant role in the beginning of the story, is only briefly shown with Kiko a few times in a sequence that depicts the passage of time.
It hasn't been officially confirmed by Pixar, but the movie's cinematographer hinted that Turning Red may feature an LGBTQ+ character. Priya, one of Mei's closest friends, is speculated to be LGBTQ+. If true, she would be Pixar's second LGBTQ+ character. Unlike previous characters, Priya plays a significant role in the movie as one of the main character's best friends. A memorable scene shows Priya sharing smiles with Goth Girl at a party and later dancing with her, thanks to Panda Mei bringing them together.
Twitter article posted by Andrea Goh
Elemental’s Release Makes Its LGBTQ+ Disservice Even Worse
The Pixar Movie Was Released During Pride Month
Elemental Wade and Ember - The Pixar Movie Was Released During Pride Month - Elemental’s Release Makes Its LGBTQ+ Disservice Even Worse
Unfortunately, Elemental follows Pixar's trend of including LGBTQ+ characters in minor roles without any dialogue, making them easily forgettable. This issue is exacerbated by the fact that Elemental was released during Pride Month. Regardless of the release date, Pixar should prioritize better representation and diversity in their films. It remains to be seen if Pixar's next movie, Elio, will feature LGBTQ+ characters, but hopefully, they will avoid repeating the same mistakes.
Editor's P/S:
This article highlights Pixar's commendable storytelling in "Elemental" while expressing disappointment over the studio's persistent struggles with LGBTQ+ representation. Despite the film's captivating adventure and charming characters, it perpetuates the disheartening pattern of relegating LGBTQ+ characters to minor, dialogue-less roles. The article argues that Pixar's failure to provide meaningful representation during Pride Month exacerbates the issue. It emphasizes the urgent need for the studio to prioritize diversity and inclusivity in its future productions.
While "Elemental" offers an entertaining cinematic experience, it leaves viewers with a bittersweet feeling. The studio's commitment to classic storytelling is evident, but its reluctance to fully embrace LGBTQ+ characters casts a shadow over its otherwise impressive artistry. It remains to be seen whether Pixar will learn from past criticism and make meaningful strides towards inclusivity in its upcoming projects.
