Debunking the Abby – Boo Monsters Inc Theory in Turning Red
When Pixar published Toy Story a long time ago, it utterly revolutionized the animation industry. Even though they were already well-known in the business, they continued to push the limits and worked hard to consistently produce better films. And they succeeded once again with Turning Red, a film that set new standards not just in terms of its issue but also in terms of the people it chose and the portrayal it provided. Mei Lee, a 13-year-old Chinese-Canadian girl with a unique curse, is the focus of this movie. Whenever she feels too much emotion, Mei Lee turns into a huge red panda.
Turning Red marked the directorial debut of Domee Shi, a filmmaker and animator who had been part of the Pixar team since 2011 and was making quite a name for herself. While she had contributed to several Pixar films, her most significant prior work was the short film Bao, which earned her an Oscar. With her work on this short film and Turning Red, Shi achieved the historic milestone of becoming the first woman to direct a short film for Pixar and later the first woman to hold sole directorial credit on a Pixar feature.
One of the reasons for Turning Red’s tremendous success was its willingness to tackle important yet rarely explored themes in children’s films, such as puberty and the idea of inheriting traits or characteristics. Like every Pixar movie, Turning Red also stirred up the curiosity of fans and led to some intriguing theories about the characters and their connections to other films. One theory even suggests that Abby, Mei Lee’s adorable friend, might actually be Boo Monsters Inc. But does this theory hold any water?
Charming, Wild Abby
Abby Park is the kind of friend every little girl would dream of having. Hyein Park, in her voice acting debut in Turning Red, brings this young Korean-Canadian character to life in a way that immediately captures the audience’s attention. We meet Abby when she’s passionately scolding a group of students in Korean for littering, but as soon as she hears her friend calling her, her demeanor switches back to her fun-loving, friendly self. That’s Abby for you: a delightful mix of playfulness, compassion, and fiery spirit. Behind her innocent and sweet appearance, with her purple overalls and sparkling headband, lies a personality that is equally captivating and entertaining.
Abby stands out as the buddy in the group who is the most opinionated. Even though she sometimes loses control of her enthusiasm, she consistently supports her pals. She’s adventurous, bold, a little disorganized, and always willing to sacrifice her own goals for Mei, Miriam, and Priya. Sometimes, she can be a tad over dramatic and assertive—she doesn’t hold back from giving Mei a friendly nudge when needed, or offering stern advice to their schoolmates. And let’s not forget how passionate she gets with herself when she messes up. When Mei transforms into the red panda, Abby’s emotions go into overdrive. Mei’s fluffy appearance tugs at her heartstrings, and Abby can’t resist showering her with affectionate hugs.
Is Abby Really Boo Monsters Inc?
Ever since Turning Red hit the screens, fans have taken to social media to share a plethora of theories about the movie and its characters. People have speculated about connections to Soul, delved into the mystery behind 4*Town, and even ventured to suggest that Priya might transform into a werewolf when her emotions run wild. However, the most buzzed-about theory concerning Turning Red revolves around the idea that Abby might actually be Boo Monsters Inc. It’s not hard to see why folks keep drawing this comparison—the resemblance between the two is striking! Both sport a similar hairstyle with black hair and thick bangs, and they share a penchant for pink attire. Plus, there’s the uncanny resemblance between the design of Mei’s friend’s overalls and Boo’s flower-embellished bedroom door. And, of course, they share a deep love for all things fluffy: Boo idolizes Sulley, while Abby can’t get enough of Mei in her red panda form.
This theory took off on various social platforms, particularly on TikTok, and it gained so much traction that it even caught the attention of the film’s director. In an interview with ComicBookMovie, Domee Shi addressed this theory and firmly debunked it, asserting that Abby was not intended to be an older version of Boo. She expressed her amusement at these creative theories and acknowledged the undeniable similarities between the characters, suggesting that they could hypothetically be related. She also expressed excitement at the idea of fans speculating about Boo having Korean heritage.
Other Theories Surrounding Pixar
The Boo and Abby theory is just one of many intriguing theories that have circulated around Pixar movies. In fact, fan theories concerning Pixar’s adored characters have a long history of flourishing. The most well-known of them is “The Pixar Theory,” which contends that all Pixar films take place in a single common world. This theory has sparked countless discussions among fans.
Boo, in particular, has been at the center of various theories over the years. Some claim she appears in Toy Story 3 as one of Bonnie’s playmates. There are even theories suggesting her presence in Toy Story 4 or her transformation into Violet from The Incredibles. However, one of the most captivating theories surrounding Boo is that she’s the witch who aids Merida in Brave. Proponents of this theory argue that Boo couldn’t bear to be separated from Sulley and Mike, leading her to spend her life attempting to reunite with them through time travel and portal magic. They point to an Easter egg in the film—a carving on a piece of wood that closely resembles Sulley—as potential evidence. Despite its popularity, it’s important to note that this theory hasn’t received official confirmation from Pixar.
Final Words
While the theory suggesting that Abby from “Turning Red” is actually an older version of Boo from “Monsters Inc” may have captured the imaginations of fans, it has been firmly debunked by the film’s director, Domee Shi. Despite their striking resemblance in appearance and love for fluffy creatures, Abby and Boo are not intended to be the same character. Domee Shi expressed amusement at the theory and welcomed the creative speculation by fans. However, she clarified that Abby was a unique character in her own right.
Pixar movies have a history of inspiring intriguing fan theories, including the famous “Pixar Theory” that proposes a shared universe for all Pixar films. Boo from “Monsters Inc” has been the subject of various other theories, from her appearance in other Pixar movies to her potential role as the witch in “Brave.” These theories add an extra layer of fascination to the beloved Pixar cinematic universe, even if they haven’t received official confirmation.
Ultimately, “Turning Red” and its characters, including Abby and Mei Lee, continue Pixar’s tradition of pushing boundaries in storytelling and addressing important themes, making the film a significant addition to the studio’s legacy of animated masterpieces.
People Also Ask (FAQs)
What is “Turning Red,” and who is Domee Shi?
“Turning Red” is a Pixar animated film that tells the story of Mei Lee, a 13-year-old Chinese-Canadian girl who transforms into a red panda when she experiences intense emotions. Domee Shi is the director of the film and is known for her Oscar-winning Pixar short film, “Bao.”
What are some of the topics that “Turning Red” explores?
“Turning Red” delves into themes such as puberty and inheriting traits or characteristics, making it a unique and thought-provoking addition to children’s animated films.
Is Abby from “Turning Red” actually Boo from “Monsters Inc”?
No, this popular theory has been debunked by Domee Shi, the film’s director. While Abby and Boo share some similarities in appearance and character traits, they are not intended to be the same character.
Are there other notable fan theories about Pixar movies?
The “Pixar Theory” implies a common world for all Pixar films, among other fan hypotheses. Boo may appear in later Pixar films or be the witch in “Brave,” although this is unconfirmed.
What makes Domee Shi’s work in “Turning Red” significant?
Domee Shi was the first woman to direct a Pixar short film like “Bao” and a movie like “Turning Red.” She has been lauded for expanding animation narrative.
How did “Toy Story” revolutionize the animation industry?
As the first computer-animated feature, “Toy Story” was innovative. It redefined animation and narrative and changed the industry.
What is the Pixar Theory?
The Pixar Theory, a fan theory, holds that all Pixar films share a world with interrelated characters and events. The interesting hypothesis hasn’t been verified by Pixar.
