Disney's Encanto gave many of its characters the happy ending they deserved, but one character - the oft overlooked cousin, Dolores - may not have gotten quite the happily-ever-after that the rest of the family did. Even the possibility of love with Mariano may not give Dolores the peace she deserves. While some have speculated that Dolores may have been villainous in her desire to end the miracle due to her feelings for Isabela's betrothed, the truth may be far more tragic.
When the Madrigal family's matriarch, Abuela Alma, and her husband, Abuelo Pedro, were driven from their home, Pedro sacrificed himself to save his wife and infant triplets. That sacrifice created a magic that gifted their descendants with powers, as well as a house and Encanto to protect them. The triplets were given the gifts of healing, weather control, and seeing into the future, and their children were given gifts as well. Most of the Madrigal cousins were gifted with the powers like shapeshifting, super strength, a supernatural ability to instantly grown plants, and speaking with animals. While the film primarily focuses on Mirabel's lack of a gift, that may not be as terrible as the gift that Dolores was given - the ability to hear everything for miles around. To truly create a happy, whole family Madrigal, Encanto 2 must give Dolores a way to turn her gift off.
As things currently stand in Encanto, Dolores cannot choose when to use her gift. She hears everything, all of the time, down to the sand trickling down in Bruno's room and rats squeaking behind the walls. True rest and relaxation are likely impossible for her, as the movie proves she cannot help but hear everything. She has no way to stop using her gift, and too much sound causes her physical pain. Several times throughout the film, including the family argument and the fireworks scene, Dolores covers her ears and clearly is suffering from sensory overload. The mannerism is as common to the character as Dolores's trademark squeak in Encanto. This indicates that she has no control of her gift. She is forced to hear everything, all of the time, virtually making her power as dark as Bruno's.
The truth of this is only emphasized in Encanto's final scene, after the Madrigal magic is returned. While the rest of the family is blissfully happy, Dolores is shown looking pensive in the family picture, and if her only reason for wanting the magic to fail was so she could catch Mariano's eye, then she should be as thrilled as the rest of her family. Unfortunately, regaining her gift may feel more like a curse.
For a few hours, while the magic was broken, Dolores knew peace and quiet. If the filmmakers want to give the entire Madrigal family a happy ending, then Encanto 2 really needs to address the trauma that her gift has inflicted upon her, just as they addressed Luisa and Isabela's pain. Perhaps the Madrigal miracle candle can be blown out and reignited as needed, or perhaps she can learn to deactivate her gift when she chooses. However the sequel chooses to aid Dolores, the family Madrigal can never be truly happy until all of its members are comfortable with themselves and their gifts and Encanto has thus far failed to grant Dolores that comfort.
