Kids see Mal wrestle with an uncertain identity, feeling expectations to act a certain way while her inner self leads her in a different direction. While she's not inherently wicked, she learns to acknowledge that her baddie past continues to influence her in ways that make her different from most of Auradon's residents, but it works for her. Strong themes of friendship, honesty, communication, and individualism. Lonnie challenges gender roles and gains the respect of her peers by her determination and skill.
This movie follows Descendants, and the story makes little sense without the background of the original. It also features the children of numerous classic fairy-tale characters.