The Subversive Wisdom of “Shrek”

some thoughts on why the “Shrek” films are quite brilliant, actually

I don’t know how I somehow missed this cultural phenomenon as a child, but before this week, I had never truly experienced the Shrek films.

My dad and I have spent the past few evenings watching them, and I must say that I’m blown away by how loving and tender they are. They’re a great example of how animated films, loved as a child, are best experienced again as an adult.

The films are brimming with enduring themes of learning how to love yourself, facing emotional avoidance, letting others in, accepting your flaws, cherishing your partner and your friendships as the most important aspects of your life, and loving yourself and others for what’s on the inside.

The films are also surprisingly political, offering gorgeous critiques of capitalism, classism, monarchy, Eurocentric beauty standards, and conventional economic thinking.

The films serve in part as a beautiful tribute to self-sufficiency and living off the land, celebrating your innate animalistic characteristics (because we are all just sentient animals!). I also love the elements of banding together to revolt against tyrannical dictators, collectively loving and caring for one another, and always remembering to…