Disney’s Beauty and the Beast is often celebrated as a story about looking past appearances, redemption, and the transformative power of love. But beneath the surface lies a narrative that flips morality on its head, demonizing true masculinity while romanticizing darkness. Let’s take a closer look at the love story between Belle, Gaston, and the Beast—examining the troubling messages Disney wraps up in its tale as old as time.
1. Gaston: The Masculine Scapegoat
First up, Gaston. He’s the most eligible bachelor in town, the pinnacle of strength and confidence, with every woman vying for his attention. Yet, despite the local fanfare, Gaston isn’t interested in the popular girls. No, he sets his sights on Belle, the bookish, “different” girl, because he values her uniqueness. But instead of being praised for seeing past superficiality, Gaston is portrayed as a brute—a man incapable of love beyond his ego.
Sure, Gaston is vain and obnoxious, but let’s compare his intentions to those of the Beast. Gaston wants to marry Belle, provide for her, and create a life together. His methods may lack finesse, but his goal aligns with biblical ideals of marriage: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” (Ephesians 5:25).
Meanwhile, the Beast—who literally imprisons Belle’s father and holds her hostage—wins her heart by…what, not growling too much? Yet Gaston is framed as irredeemable, simply because he dares to embody strong, traditional masculinity.
2. The Beast: A Symbol of the Anti-Christ?
Now let’s talk about the Beast. A spoiled prince cursed for his cruelty, the Beast represents far more than a character arc. Look closer, and you’ll see that he embodies the role of the Anti-Christ—a figure who deceives and manipulates, winning over hearts while masking his true nature.
In Revelation 13:1, the Beast is described as having great authority and power, using it to lead others astray. Similarly, the Beast in Beauty and the Beast uses charm and pity to turn Belle’s affections, erasing his past sins without true repentance. Does Belle question his behavior? Does she demand accountability for locking up her father and emotionally manipulating her into staying? Nope. Instead, the story glosses over his actions, romanticizing his “inner goodness.”
But the Bible is clear: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” (Matthew 7:15). Or in this case, a Beast in royal clothing.
3. Prisoners in the Name of Love
Let’s not forget how this twisted love story begins. The Beast imprisons Belle’s father for trespassing and only agrees to release him after Belle sacrifices her freedom to live with him forever. In any other context, this would scream red flag. Yet the narrative frames Belle as noble and the Beast as wounded rather than toxic.
Fast forward to Gaston, who uses the exact same tactic—having Belle’s father locked up—to expose the Beast’s influence over her. Somehow, when Gaston does it, it’s evil. But wasn’t the Beast the one who started the whole “imprison your enemies” trend?
The moral gymnastics here are staggering. Gaston sees Belle’s attachment to the Beast and, rather than let her fall further into his clutches, takes action. Yet the Bible reminds us: “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness.” (Isaiah 5:20). By painting Gaston as irredeemable and the Beast as lovable, the story flips morality on its head.
4. Romanticizing Stockholm Syndrome
Let’s address the elephant—or rather, the Beast—in the room: Belle falls in love with her captor. The Beast locks her away, isolates her from her family, and wields his power to force compliance. Over time, Belle starts to see him differently, mistaking small acts of decency for love.
This dynamic mirrors Stockholm Syndrome, a psychological response where captives develop emotional bonds with their captors. But in Beauty and the Beast, it’s presented as romantic. The Bible calls us to love freely and unconditionally, yet this story confuses love with manipulation and coercion.
True love, as defined in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, is “patient, kind, does not envy, and keeps no record of wrongs.” The Beast’s love, on the other hand, is conditional—rooted in Belle’s compliance and willingness to see beyond his monstrous behavior.
5. The Beast’s Redemption: Real or False?
The climax of the story hinges on the Beast’s redemption, but is it real? Yes, he transforms physically, but what about his heart? The Beast’s change comes not from repentance or a desire to do good, but because Belle loves him. This reduces the concept of redemption to something earned through human affection rather than divine grace.
Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Yet the Beast’s redemption is framed as something Belle achieves by “believing” in him. This distorted gospel replaces God’s transformative power with human effort, glorifying Belle as the savior in the story.
6. Demonizing Masculinity and Idolizing the “Wounded” Male
Finally, let’s revisit the portrayal of Gaston versus the Beast. Gaston, though flawed, represents traditional masculine traits: strength, confidence, and leadership. The Beast, on the other hand, is celebrated for his vulnerability and emotional dependence on Belle.
This dynamic reflects a cultural shift that demonizes strong, capable men while glorifying “wounded” or broken figures as more desirable. Gaston’s desire to marry Belle is mocked, while the Beast’s toxic behavior is excused because he’s “misunderstood.”
The Bible upholds strong, Godly men as leaders and protectors: “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.” (1 Corinthians 16:13). Yet Beauty and the Beast flips this, promoting weakness and chaos over God-ordained order.
The Bigger Picture: A War on Truth
At its core, the love story in Beauty and the Beast isn’t about true love—it’s about redefining morality, excusing darkness, and twisting redemption into something human-centered. Gaston, the confident protector, is demonized, while the Beast, a literal captor, is redeemed.
As believers, we must approach stories like this with discernment, remembering the words of Romans 12:2: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
Let’s not be swayed by tales that confuse coercion with love or mock the values that build strong, healthy societies. Instead, let’s cling to God’s truth, which offers the ultimate story of redemption through Christ—a tale that never needs a rewrite.
What do you think about the love story in Beauty and the Beast? Share your thoughts in the comments below!