Disney's 65th animated feature, Hexed, is set to introduce a new kind of heroine in Billie, a rebellious teenager who discovers a secret world of witches called Hexe. Co-directors Fawn Veerasunthorn and Jason Hand described their vision for the film as a blend of classic Disney magic with a more "weird and punk" aesthetic, aiming to create something distinctly different from the studio's previous works.
Veerasunthorn and Hand, who previously worked on films like Zootopia and Moana, drew inspiration from their own childhood experiences with Disney movies. However, they intend for Hexed to subvert traditional fairytale tropes. "Billie is not going to treat these things with reverence. She’s going to throw it against the wall and interact by poking it," Hand explained during an interview at the Annecy Festival. Veerasunthorn further characterized Billie as "the first Disney heroine in combat boots," highlighting her confrontational relationship with authority and her feeling of being trapped by rules.
Billie's struggles stem from her mother, Alice, who has suppressed her daughter's magical abilities since a childhood incident where Billie accidentally opened a portal to Hexe. This suppression, driven by Alice's fear for Billie's safety, creates a central conflict around limitations and unfulfilled potential within their mother-daughter relationship. The visual style of the film contrasts the mundane reality of Billie's "boring neighborhood" with the vibrant, boundary-breaking world of Hexe. Boxy frames define the real world, while Hexe is depicted with a more fluid and expansive visual language.
The narrative gains momentum when Billie's suppressed powers begin to resurface after her protective bracelet is removed. Alice's panic and desire to flee are met with Billie's decision to embrace her destiny. "Hexe can be wild and unpredictable and sometimes a bit unhinged, and as Billie runs around having the time of her life, she realizes it might be the place that she’s always meant to be, a place where she is free from all limitations," Veerasunthorn said.
Billie's journey takes a critical turn when Alice is captured by Hexe's magical police. To rescue her mother, Billie must delve into her family history and confront her own powers. Along the way, she encounters unique allies, including a walking cauldron named Bucket and a surly, three-eyed cat named Beef Roger Crumbchuck, who serves as her reluctant mentor. Beef's preparation for their journey, packing his trailer with potions and trinkets, is inspired by a scene from Disney's The Sword in the Stone. The directors view magic as a metaphor for self-expression and overcoming limitations, reflecting their own artistic desires to push boundaries.
Hexed is scheduled to premiere in theaters on November 25.