Let's be honest for a second. When Disney announced they were heading back to Auradon without the original core four—Mal, Evie, Jay, and Carlos—people were skeptical. Skeptical is putting it lightly. Fans were protective. But Descendants: The Rise of Red didn't just try to replicate the past; it blew the doors off the franchise by messing with the one thing that usually breaks a story: time travel. It's a bold move.
The movie landed on Disney+ and immediately started putting up massive numbers, proving that the hunger for the VK (Villain Kid) aesthetic hasn't faded. You've got Kylie Cantrall stepping in as Red, the rebellious daughter of the Queen of Hearts, and Malia Baker as Chloe, the perfectionist daughter of Cinderella and King Charming. It's the classic "opposites forced to work together" trope, but with a high-stakes, magical twist that actually adds some real weight to the lore.
Redefining the Lore of Auradon and Wonderland
Most people think of the Descendants universe as just a catchy musical franchise about teenagers in leather jackets. It’s more. It’s actually a pretty complex social commentary on whether your parents' mistakes define you. Descendants: The Rise of Red takes this a step further. Instead of just dealing with the aftermath of their parents' villainy, Red and Chloe literally go back in time to stop the "Prudence" event—the moment that turned a young, sweet Bridget into the tyrannical Queen of Hearts we know today.
Rita Ora's portrayal of the Queen of Hearts is... well, it’s intense. She brings this campy, sharp-edged menace that feels different from the villains we saw in the first three films. She isn't just "evil"; she's traumatized and vengeful. That’s a nuanced take for a Disney Channel Original Movie.
When the girls use the White Rabbit's pocket watch to zip back to Merlin Academy, the movie shifts gears. We aren't in the shiny, polished Auradon anymore. We’re in the past, seeing younger versions of familiar characters like Ursula (Ulyana, her sister, actually) and Hades. This isn't just a cameo fest. It’s world-building. It shows us that the rivalry between the "good" kids and the "bad" kids wasn't always so black and white.
Why the Time Travel Actually Works
Time travel is messy. Usually, it creates a million plot holes. But here, it serves the emotional arc. Red wants to save her mother's soul, not just her own reputation. Chloe, on the other hand, has to face the reality that her "perfect" mother might have had a hand in the Queen of Hearts' downfall.
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It’s messy. It's complicated. It’s exactly what the franchise needed to stay relevant in 2024 and beyond.
The Music and the Visuals: A New Era
The soundtrack for Descendants: The Rise of Red is a massive departure from the bubblegum pop-rock of the Kenny Ortega era. Not that the old stuff wasn't great—"Queen of Mean" is a certified bop—but the new tracks like "Red" and "Love Ain't It" have a heavier, more modern production value.
Kylie Cantrall has this raw, edgy energy that carries the opening of the film. When she’s singing "Red" while spray-painting the Queen’s palace, you actually believe she’s a rebel. It doesn't feel like a staged musical number as much as an internal explosion.
And the costumes? Torrid meets high fashion. Julia Caston, the costume designer, leaned hard into the "Heart" motif for Red and the "Glass Slipper" blue for Chloe. The contrast between Red’s crimson, punk-rock layers and Chloe’s structured, royal blue outfits tells the story before they even open their mouths.
Breaking Down the Cast Chemistry
- Kylie Cantrall (Red): Brings a much-needed grit.
- Malia Baker (Chloe): Plays the "good girl" without being annoying, which is a hard line to walk.
- Rita Ora: Chews the scenery in the best way possible.
- Brandy and Paolo Montalban: The ultimate 1997 nostalgia hit. Seeing them back as Cinderella and Charming was a genius move by Disney. It bridged the gap between the millennial parents and the Gen Z/Alpha kids watching.
Addressing the Critics: Is It Better Than the Original?
"Better" is a loaded word. The original trilogy is sacred to a lot of people because of Cameron Boyce. Disney handled his absence with a lot of grace, acknowledging the legacy of Carlos while moving forward.
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Some fans felt the ending of The Rise of Red was a bit abrupt. And, honestly, they aren't wrong. The film builds up this massive tension toward the "big prank" and then resolves it in a way that feels like it’s setting up a sequel rather than finishing a story. It’s a cliffhanger, basically. Uma (China Anne McClain) literally tells us at the end that messing with time has consequences.
This is a classic Disney move. They aren't just making a movie; they’re launching a new sub-franchise. The stakes aren't just about one dance or one crown anymore. They're about the fabric of reality in Auradon.
The Impact on Disney+ and the Future of the Franchise
Descendants: The Rise of Red broke records. It garnered 6.7 million views in its first three days of streaming. That’s not just "good for a sequel" numbers; those are "tentpole franchise" numbers. It proves that the brand is bigger than any one actor.
What does this mean for the future?
Expect more.
The "Rise of Red" ending clearly signals that the timeline has been altered. If Bridget never becomes the evil Queen of Hearts, what does that mean for the rest of the villains? If the villains never become "evil," the VKs might not even exist in the same way.
It’s a paradox. It’s brilliant. It keeps the fans theorizing on TikTok and YouTube, which is exactly where Disney wants them.
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What Most People Miss About the "Prudence" Prank
There’s a lot of chatter about who actually did the prank that turned Bridget evil. While the movie points toward Ulyana and her crew, there’s a deeper subtext about the "heroes" standing by and letting it happen. The "good" kids weren't exactly innocent. This nuance is why the movie resonates. It’s not just about stopping a villain; it’s about examining how villains are made.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Rewatch
If you’re going back in for a second or third watch, pay close attention to the background characters at Merlin Academy. The cameos and the subtle nods to Disney's animated history are everywhere.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
- Watch the 1997 Cinderella: If you haven't seen Brandy and Paolo Montalban’s original Cinderella, you’re missing half the magic. It’s on Disney+. Watch it to see why their reunion in The Rise of Red is such a big deal.
- Listen to the Soundtrack in Order: The songs actually tell a more cohesive story about Red’s internal shift than some of the dialogue does. "Get Your Hands Dirty" is a standout for character development.
- Analyze the "Time Travel" Rules: Look for the subtle changes in the "present day" Auradon at the end of the film. There are small visual cues that the world has changed more than just the Queen’s personality.
- Follow the New Cast: Kylie Cantrall and Malia Baker are active on social media and often share behind-the-scenes looks at the grueling choreography rehearsals. It gives you a much better appreciation for the "Hands Dirty" sequence.
The franchise has evolved. It’s darker, faster, and a little bit more chaotic. Whether you’re a Day 1 fan or someone just jumping in because you like Rita Ora, Descendants: The Rise of Red is a solid entry that proves there's still plenty of life left in the Isle of the Lost—even if the Isle doesn't technically exist anymore.