Luca (2021) May 2026

The central plot device—that the sea monsters transform into humans when dry and revert when wet—serves as a visual translation of "passing" or code-switching.

This paper analyzes Enrico Casarosa’s 2021 Disney-Pixar film, Luca , as a multifaceted allegory for marginalized identities, social assimilation, and cultural preservation. Set in the mid-20th century Italian Riviera, the film follows two young sea monsters, Luca Paguro and Alberto Scorfano, who must mask their true nature to survive in the human town of Portorosso. While initially marketed as a simple coming-of-age story centered on friendship, the film functions as a rich text for examining the social pressures of "passing" as a dominant group. This study explores the film’s handling of otherness, its intricate construction of Italian regional identity, and its unintended yet widely embraced resonance with queer and immigrant narratives. 🏛️ Introduction Luca (2021)

📝 Abstract

If you are writing a full research paper, you can use the structured outline and sample text below, citing the corresponding published works. 🌊 Academic Paper Outline: Luca (2021) 📌 Title: The central plot device—that the sea monsters transform