Disney Set Up Moana 2's Demigod Twist 8 Years Ago In The First Movie

Warning: This Article Contains SPOILERS For Moana 2Moana 2 has very quickly become one of the biggest movies of the year, even in its first few weeks of release. Although the Disney sequel's reviews aren't as glowing as the original's, Moana 2 has smashed box office records to become the biggest Thanksgiving opening of all time. While audiences are enjoying Moana 2 more than critics, one plot twist at the end of the film left many questions as to where the future of the franchise is going.

Moana 2's story picks up where the original left off, focusing on Moana reuniting with Maui and assembling a wayfinding team to find a lost island and reconnect with all the people scattered across the ocean. Moana 2 brings back several characters from the first film, but Moana herself once again takes center stage, and there is a huge plot point that comes around at the end of the film, which had some very subtle setup in the first film.

The First Moana Movie Teased Why She Would Become A Demigod

She Exhibits Abilities And Has A Destiny Beyond Most People

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While there doesn't seem to be very much direct setup to the big demigod twist in Moana 2, where Moana becomes a demigod, there are definitely hints that point towards this outcome in the first film. One of the big hints is that Moana was able to see her grandmother's spirit, something that doesn't seem to be all that common for the people of her island. Not only that, but she also sees the spirits of all her ancestors, pushing her to continue forwards to saving Te Fiti and her people.

The ocean choosing Moana to be the one to save the world meant that her destiny was to accomplish something incredible.

Another big hint from the first film is the fact that the ocean itself chose Moana when she was born to return the heart of Te Fiti, setting Moana's plot in motion. While the true nature of what the ocean as a being actually is hasn't been fully explained, it is clearly meant to represent a powerful force in the world, even more so than Maui in a way. The ocean choosing Moana to be the one to save the world meant that her destiny was to accomplish something incredible, and clearly, that went even beyond saving Te Fiti.

Moana's Set Up For The Demigod Twist Makes Moana 2's Reveal Even Better

The Reveal Might Have Felt Worse If The First Film Hadn't Hinted At It

The fact that the big twist in Moana 2's ending didn't come out of nowhere makes it much more satisfying to see happen. If there was no set-up, then it would feel like an uninteresting attempt to give the movie a sense of purpose. With the hints from Moana, however, it becomes a satisfying plot point that feels like it was earned.

Even if Moana becoming a demigod was still very unexpected, it doesn't feel forced. The build-up to Moana's destiny shown in the original film is hopefully a sign that whatever comes after Moana 2 will have already been hinted at.