Disney’s The Little Mermaid has captured the hearts of fans and critics alike with its latest masterpiece. The film follows the endearing journey of Ariel, an innocent and curious mermaid who yearns to explore the world beyond her underwater kingdom.
However, Ariel’s longing for the surface is met with resistance. The reason behind this prohibition is revealed at the beginning of the film: Ariel’s mother met a tragic end at the hands of a human.
A Deepening of the Little Mermaid Franchise
This revelation adds a new layer of complexity to the beloved Little Mermaid franchise. Ariel’s mother, a previously unexplored character, becomes a vital component of the overall narrative, shedding light on the underwater kingdom’s aversion to land and humans.
In the 2023 film, we discover that Ariel shares her mother’s fascination with the human world. However, it is precisely this fascination that led to her mother’s untimely demise.
Ariel’s mother lost her life when a pirate ship crushed her during a fierce battle between merpeople and humans. This tragedy had a profound impact on the underwater kingdom, prompting stringent regulations that prohibited merpeople from venturing onto land.
Ariel’s Struggle and King Triton’s Edict
In the aftermath of her mother’s death, Ariel finds herself caught in a conflict between her own desires and her father’s rule. King Triton, Ariel’s father, enacted a decree forbidding merpeople from interacting with humans. Despite inheriting her mother’s curiosity and yearning for knowledge, Ariel is compelled to abide by these restrictions.
King Triton’s unwavering belief that all humans are wicked and murderous drives a deep divide between him and Ariel. She passionately argues that not all humans should be judged based on the actions of a single individual, but her pleas fall on deaf ears.
The Unseen Presence of Ariel’s Mother
While Ariel’s mother never appears onscreen, additional details about her fate are revealed in the 2008 prequel film, The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning. The movie unveils the heartbreaking truth that she was crushed by a pirate ship, forever altering the underwater kingdom’s relationship with the world above.
Ariel’s mother’s absence becomes a catalyst for Ariel’s personal journey as she defies her father’s restrictions and embarks on a quest to explore the realms beyond the sea.
A Glorious Conclusion for Ariel
Fortunately, the story takes a joyous turn as King Triton ultimately comes to accept Ariel’s relationship with Prince Eric. Through a transformative process, Ariel becomes human, allowing her and Eric to unite in marriage and live happily ever after.
The Little Mermaid’s latest adaptation not only sheds light on the tragic fate of Ariel’s mother but also offers intriguing insights into other key characters. The film reveals the compelling backstory of Ursula, the sea witch, and uncovers a surprising familial connection between her and King Triton.
According to the official synopsis of The Little Mermaid as presented in the trailer on YouTube:
“The Little Mermaid” is the beloved story of Ariel, a beautiful and spirited young mermaid with an insatiable thirst for adventure. As the youngest and most defiant of King Triton’s daughters, Ariel yearns to explore the world beyond the sea. When she falls in love with the charming Prince Eric during a visit to the surface, Ariel must navigate the forbidden nature of their interaction. Making a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, Ariel gains the opportunity to experience life on land but risks jeopardizing her own life and her father’s reign.”
With the talented Halle Bailey taking on the role of Ariel and the film’s fresh approach to the beloved tale, The Little Mermaid promises to captivate audiences once again, enveloping them in a spellbinding world of magic, love, and self-discovery.
