Trans Allegories in Film: 'The Little Mermaid' (1989)
Films can alleviate alienation by presenting realities where the viewers feelings are shared by onscreen characters. 'The Little Mermaid" film can be interpreted as a transgender story.

Set against the exhilarating backdrop of the 1952 Mille Miglia, this unique documentary brings together racing legends including Stirling Moss, Norman Dewis (who would have been 100 years old this week), Jackie Stewart, Derek Bell, Martin Brundle and Murray Walker, to recount the tale of one of motoring’s greatest leaps forward. This is the story of the disc brake – and much more besides.
Films can alleviate alienation by presenting realities where the viewers feelings are shared by onscreen characters. 'The Little Mermaid" film can be interpreted as a transgender story.
GOAT (2026) opens to the chanting of a crowd: "Roots run deep!" The rest of the film goes on to echo that sentiment, offering gorgeous animation and a heartfelt story along the way.
A sweet slice-of-life anime that visualizes all the ways we creatively hide our vulnerabilities from the world.
We have a long way to go with LGBT representation in film, especially when it comes to LGBT characters of color and trans characters.
Audition should be on everyone's list of Greatest Horror Film. So I urge you to give it a watch. Maybe watch the last twenty minutes with your hands in front of your eyes.