Defiant Outrage Over the Recent 'Lilo & Stitch' Modification Causes Stir in Public Sphere
The live-action adaptation of Disney's beloved animated film, Lilo & Stitch, opened over Memorial Day weekend, providing fans with a fresh take on the iconic story. However, the film's ending has sparked heated discourse among viewers, as it significantly deviates from the original's conclusion, emphasising the importance of family (ohana).
In contrast to the 2002 animated film, where Stitch is granted life on Earth, and Lilo and her older sister Nani live together as one happy family unit, the remake depicts Nani deciding to give up guardianship of Lilo to a neighbour so she can leave to attend college and study marine biology in San Diego. This physical separation of the family has been seen as a betrayal of the original film's core message about familial closeness and support.
Director Dean Fleischer Camp defended the ending, stating that he wanted to tell a more "honest" story about loss and moving forward, acknowledging that "people do get left behind" and emphasising the idea of the community ensuring no one is forgotten. However, some critics and fans found his explanation "tone deaf," as it seemed to negate the original film's message of unconditional family unity and support, which was central to the story's emotional appeal.
The live-action film offers a fantastical solution to the issue of Nani leaving her sister and Hawaii behind, with Nani being given a portal gun that allows her to easily travel home from school and remain present in Lilo's life. Additionally, Tutu, a neighbour character, provides early support for Nani and Lilo, while Mrs. Kekoa and Tutu help the sisters navigate towards a solution where they remain together and with their found family.
Chris Kekaniokalani Bright, co-scriptwriter for the 2025 live-action Lilo & Stitch, expressed concern about the isolation of Nani and Lilo in the original animated film. The remake addresses this concern by centring Nani being forced to grow up beyond her years in order to look after Lilo, with the live-action film's case worker being a fellow native Hawaiian character who encourages Nani to find a solution for keeping her sister.
The live-action film also emphasises Nani's "kuleana," or responsibility, to give Lilo the best possible future. Nani does not give up her sister to strangers in a foster system, as depicted in the live-action film, and instead hands over guardianship of Lilo to their grandmotherly neighbour Tutu.
Despite the controversy surrounding the film's ending, the live-action version of Lilo & Stitch has made massive numbers for the studio. Fans of the original Lilo & Stitch are shocked by the enormous changes to the animated film in its adaptation, but the remake provides its own take on similar themes while keeping the sisters together. The film explores the theme of "Ohana," the Hawaiian word for "family," and emphasises that "no one gets left behind or forgotten."
- Io9, Gizmodo, and other entertainment outlets have discussed the divisive ending of the live-action adaptation of Lilo & Stitch, with some fans feeling it strays too far from the original's message of family unity.
- The remake's ending reflects a more realistic take on family dynamics, as it addresses the challenges faced by Nani, who must balance her own aspirations with her responsibilities as Lilo's guardian.
- Movies-and-TV critics and viewers have praised the remake's depiction of the importance of community, as Tutu and Mrs. Kekoa help Nani and Lilo navigate their difficult situation.
- In an effort to alleviate concerns about the isolation of Nani and Lilo, the 2025 live-action Lilo & Stitch, co-scripted by Chris Kekaniokalani Bright, will center on Nani's growth and the fostering of their found family, embodying the theme of "kuleana" and ensuring that "no one gets left behind or forgotten."
