Films › John Musker

The Little Mermaid (1989)

Film

DirectorJohn Musker

Meta takes3

Figures

Form & technique

Ariel's deal with Ursula to trade her voice for legs → The Patriarchal Bargain
Ursula the Sea Witch's character design, voice, and mannerisms

Tropes

The film's "happily ever after" wedding ending
Ariel's grotto filled with human artifacts → The Commodity Fetish
Ariel's rebellion against her father, King Triton → The Postfeminist Sensibility
The song "Part of Your World"

Films most connected to The Little Mermaid

Pretty Woman (1990) — via The Commodity Fetish, The Postfeminist Sensibility
Barbie (2023) — via The Commodity Fetish, The Postfeminist Sensibility
Farewell My Concubine (1993) — via The Patriarchal Bargain
GoodFellas (1990) — via The Patriarchal Bargain
About Elly (2009) — via The Patriarchal Bargain
The Forest of Love (2019) — via The Patriarchal Bargain
Little Women (2019) — via The Postfeminist Sensibility
Black Swan (2010) — via The Postfeminist Sensibility