Disney’s Wish takes us into the land of Rosas, where their magical leader is entrusted with the wishes of the residents on their eighteenth birthdays. A teenager, Asha (Ariana DeBose), learns that everything in the realm is not as it seems.
This movie is okay. While there are elements of the story I appreciated, it seems to be lacking some of the magic of earlier Disney films.
Despite the fact that Wish is somewhat lackluster, I had a great time watching it. This isn’t because of anything happening in the film itself, but because I was viewing Rosas as a cult. And I think the movie becomes much more interesting when viewed through that lens.
I am by no means an expert in cults or high-control environments. I’ve just recently become fascinated by cults and their leaders. So, this is a layperson’s account of high-control environments through the lens of a Disney movie.
Note: there are spoilers ahead for Disney’s Wish.
First Sign of a Cult: Charismatic Leader
The second that Magnifico (Chris Pine) showed up on screen, I thought, He’s a cult leader. That thought is what started me down this train.
Magnifico (what a name) is a charismatic, seemingly all-powerful leader. He’s seen as the benevolent and loving ruler of Rosas. There’s also a mythology about him and how he came to be the leader of this land.
While there’s nothing inherently wrong with charisma, it’s often the first step of a cult leader. A charismatic person will draw people to themselves, develop a set of beliefs and practices, and begin to recruit others into the fold.
In fact, when we first meet Asha, she’s giving a tour to some people visiting the town. They love it in Rosas and want to live there as well. They are willing to give up their home to come to this land under the leadership of this benevolent leader. It turns out that the grass is greener within Rosas’ borders.
At the much-anticipated wish ceremony, people are enamored by Magnifico. He has garnered a religious-like devotion from the residents of this land. People hang on every word he says and have placed their trust in him completely.
This type of absolute trust and reverence is worrying but not a clear red flag… yet.
Second Sign of a Cult: Obsession with Power
Magnifico is seen as a benevolent leader who grants wishes to the residents out of the goodness of his heart. He’s so kind to have created this space for people. And while he may have started out that way, power has corrupted him.
We learn that Magnifico can’t grant just anyone’s wish — they might be able to do something that takes power away from him. He cannot be seen as weak and will stand for nothing and no one to disrupt his kingdom.
When Asha learns the truth and begins to question him, Magnifico immediately goes on the offensive. He begins to gaslight and manipulate her. He is clearly not used to being told ‘no’ and definitely won’t stand for it from this young girl.
The entire movie is about Magnifico being willing to go to any lengths to keep his power — even doing what he swore he would never do.
Now that’s a pretty big red flag and, from my limited knowledge, seems like a solid next step on his cult leader path.
Third Sign of a Cult: Mistrust Sowed Among Residents
When Asha begins her journey to free everyone’s wishes, Magnifico becomes a full-on cult leader. He calls everyone together and makes Asha a scapegoat. He claims that she is an evil person who is out to destroy their wishes. He lies about her and then tells his followers to turn on her.
Magnifico makes sure that mistrust is sown among the residents while demanding they trust him fully.
This is another common feature that I’ve found in my reading on cults and high-control environments: mistrust. Leaders in these types of systems will set up “accountability” structures, which essentially amount to members spying or informing on other members. That’s a way to keep people divided and for the cult leader to retain power.
That’s exactly what Magnifico does in Wish. He demands that people spy for him to find Asha. He promises that if she is caught, the person who turns her in will be rewarded with their wish. It’s interesting that Asha’s friend Simon (Evan Peters) turns her in, and his wish to become a knight is granted.
He was rewarded for doing Magnifico’s bidding by getting more power within that system. That’s some pretty culty behavior.
Fourth Sign of a Cult: Isolation of Naysayers
From what I’ve read about cult survivors, when people start speaking up, that’s when things go bad for them. This makes sense if the leader is all about retaining power and control over the group. An influential person shining a light on the despicable practices happening within the cult could be devastating.
As mistrust is sown throughout the cult, anyone who speaks up is isolated from the rest of the group. Sometimes, the leader will go as far as excommunication from the group. Then, no one in the cult is allowed to contact the former member. For all intents and purposes, that person is dead to those remaining in the in-group.
While Wish doesn’t go that far (it is still a Disney movie), Asha is isolated. She doesn’t know who to trust and must do what she can to save her community, even though she’s been shunned and labeled as a criminal. It’s clear that if Magnifico could find Asha, he would kill her — neutralizing the threat to his empire.
I see Wish as tracing the trajectory of a cult as it spirals out of control. At first, everything is good. People are having a good time, experiencing freedom, and building a life in a system that some might find unorthodox. They have a benevolent leader whom they love and are devoted to.
But, over time, as the leader gains more power, he seeks to exert more control over the group. He begins to do things he said he would never do and uses force to silence those who would challenge him. He sows distrust among the group and isolates anyone who doesn’t immediately fall in line.
What’s more hopeful about Wish than many real-life cults is that the residents are able to break through Magnifico’s spell. Instead of remaining isolated and mistrustful of each other, they are able to break out of his control. They learn the truth, band together, and are able to topple the leader.
It’s a heartwarming end to a tale that doesn’t always get such a happy ending in real life.
I’m not sure if Disney was trying to make a movie about a group of people escaping the clutches of a cult leader, but that’s exactly how I viewed Wish.
What do you think? Is this an animated warning sign about high-control environments? Or have I just been consuming too much cult content?
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Sarah Callen is a columnist for Boardwalk Times
