The following contains spoilers for Moana 2, now playing in theaters.
Moana 2subtly hints at its big twist halfway through the movie, having Moana beat Maui in one key feat. The film’s beginning sets Moana to become Motunui’s Tautai leader, a connector of the entire sea — making the storm god Nalo particularly keen on destroying her. Though this is a bigger ascension than her chief title in the first installment, the Disney sequel offers a twist, giving theMoana 2charactera role that extends beyond her people and to the realm of the gods.
Moana 2’s reviewspraise the sequel for building on what came before and successfully developing Moana’s growth, as she now understands the stakes of her dreams and honors her responsibility to her island. Accordingly,Moana 2’s endingsees the leader sacrifice her life so that her people are connected to other nations and don’t perish. Though her transformation into a demigod comes as the movie’s biggest shock, early in the story,Moana 2foreshadows the twist through one minor detail that gets Maui’s recognition.
Moana Opening The Portal Of The Gods Hints That She Is Set To Become A Demigod
Moana 2 Explains No Human Should Be Able To Open The Portal To Motufetū
When her boat gets eaten by a giant clam, the Motunui leader finds herself face-to-face withMoana 2’s bat lady. Previously hinted as a villain, the goddess reveals she is actually a prisoner to the lightning god and forced to guard The Portal of the Gods leading to Motufetū — the island that connects the sea. With one ofMoana 2’s best songs, Matangi motivates a frustrated Moana to “Get Lost” to find her way. To Maui’s surprise, and Matangi’s satisfaction,Moana herself opens the magic portal, something a human isn’t supposed to be able to do.
Although Matangi definitely helps her by revealing the until-then-hidden portal, Moana opens it intuitively — heavily hinting that her path to becoming a demigod has already been set in motion.
InMoana 2’s post-credits scene, the villain Nalo recognizes no human should have been able to reach Motufetū or break his curse. Although Matangi does help her by revealing the until-then-hidden portal, Moana opens it intuitively — heavily hinting that her path to becoming a demigod has already been set in motion. Strangely,Moana 2quickly brushes the event aside, perhaps intending not to give away the movie’s twist. However,Maui, who couldn’t open the portal before, does appear shockedbefore being carried by the portal’s whirlpool.
Why Moana Could Open The Portal Of The Gods When Maui Couldn’t
Moana’s Personal Tautai Journey Elevates Her To The Divine
Even before Moana had the vision from Tautai Vasa to reconnect the people of the ocean, Maui was trying to do it himself. When he arrives at The Portal of the Gods, though,he can’t open it and instead has to ask Matangi to do it.A well-enough reason for this could be that, since the goddess is the guardian of the portal, only she can open it. However, Moana opens it on her own, hinting the journey to Motufetū was her destiny all along — and responding toMaui’sMoana 2’s lesser screen timeand limited role.
Is Moana A Demigod Now? Oar & New Tattoo Fully Explained
Moana 2’s biggest plot twist gives one of the film’s characters a major upgrade that sets the stage for a potentially epic follow-up.
While the first movie’s quest was Moana’s as much as it was Maui’s — since he was the one who stole Te Fiti’s heart —Moana 2is a personal adventure that was always meant for Motunui’s new Tautai. Driven to return to her ancestors’ wayfinding tradition and ensure the future of her people, Moana’s individual efforts verge on the divine, unlocking the magic that has always been within her. By having heropen The Portal of the Gods while still being a human,Moana 2foreshadows that she is fated to become a demigod.
Moana 2
Cast
Moana 2 is the sequel to the 2016 animated film Moana. Directed by David G. Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, and Dana Ledoux Miller, the film continues the journey of Moana as she embarks on new adventures, exploring the vast Pacific Ocean while encountering new characters and challenges along the way.
