Turning Red

An American computer-animated coming-of-age comedy film released in 2022, produced by Pixar Animation Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures. The film marks the feature directorial debut of Domee Shi, who co-wrote the screenplay with Julia Cho. Set in Toronto in 2002, the story follows 13-year-old Chinese-Canadian girl Meilin Lee (voiced by Rosalie Chiang), who strives to be a dutiful daughter and top student, aiming to meet the expectations of her strict and caring mother, Ming (Sandra Oh). However, as she enters adolescence, Mei encounters new emotions and interests, including a fascination with the popular boy band 4*Town. She unexpectedly discovers that when experiencing strong emotions, she transforms into a giant red panda—a family trait passed down through the female lineage. Her friends Miriam (Ava Morse), Priya (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan), and Abby (Hyein Park) support her, helping her cope with this newfound ability. Mei tries to balance her life between family obligations and personal desires, facing the choice between adhering to traditions and seeking independence. The film explores themes of growing up, family relationships, and self-acceptance, offering viewers a vibrant and emotional story about the challenges of adolescence.