9. Camilo Madrigal - The Cast of Encanto and their Archetypes

Archetype: The Shapeshifter / Trickster / Comic Defender

Camilo is the family’s shapeshifter—literally and psychologically. He embodies The Trickster archetype, a role that disrupts, entertains, and adapts, often to deflect tension or avoid confrontation. With the ability to become anyone, Camilo mirrors the emotional needs of those around him while remaining largely undefined himself. His comic timing and theatrical flourishes aren't just fun—they are survival mechanisms within a complex family system.

In Jungian terms, Camilo represents both The Trickster and aspects of The Persona, constantly shifting between roles to maintain social equilibrium. But unlike Isabela’s tightly controlled Persona, Camilo’s is more fluid and playful, though no less performative. His gift gives him flexibility, but it may also obscure his true identity beneath the layers of who others need him to be.

From the lens of Internal Family Systems (IFS), Camilo appears to operate through a highly active Firefighter part—a reactive role that uses humor, distraction, and entertainment to regulate distress and avoid vulnerability. His shapeshifting becomes a strategy to manage the unspoken emotions swirling around him, especially in a household under the unrelenting weight of expectations and silence.

Through the 7 Inner Child Archetypes, Camilo most closely maps to The Rebellious or Playful Child—a part that resists structure and predictability, often because those things once felt confining or unsafe. Rather than anchor to a fixed identity, this child learns to survive through adaptability, wit, and levity. But beneath the charm lies a deeper question: who is Camilo when he isn’t performing?

Camilo’s character arc is subtle, but it holds room for insight. His moments of authenticity emerge in how he supports others without fanfare, particularly Mirabel. He does not transform in a dramatic way, but the film suggests a growing space for him to be himself—not just a reflection of others. His healing would involve anchoring a sense of core identity, trusting that he can be valued not only for who he can become, but for who he already is.. As the Trickster, he uses distraction to survive tension. In IFS, this is often a Firefighter part—acting out or joking to protect more vulnerable parts beneath. He also reflects the Rebellious or Playful Inner Child, never allowed to be serious.