Diving Deep into Matangi: The Scene-Stealing Bat Goddess of Moana 2
Moana 2 has arrived, and with it comes a fresh wave of captivating characters, stunning visuals, and, of course, a show-stopping villain song that is already sending ripples through the Disney fandom. Enter Matangi, the badass bat goddess, introduced through the infectious and aptly titled anthem, "Get Lost." Forget following the well-trodden path; Matangi is here to guide Moana (and viewers) down a road less traveled, filled with unexpected twists, self-discovery, and a whole lot of captivating ambiguity.
For those who haven’t yet plunged into the ocean of Moana 2, fear not! The film is currently gracing the screens of Disney+, and physical copies are set to arrive on March 18th. However, be warned: once you encounter Matangi, you may find yourself willingly ensnared in her mesmerizing charm, drawn into her intriguing world of trickster folklore and irresistible musicality.
io9 recently sat down with the musical masterminds behind "Get Lost," Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, the dynamic duo known as Barlow & Bear. They, along with Awhimai Fraser, the powerhouse vocalist who brings Matangi to life, peeled back the layers of this instant classic villain song, revealing the creative process and the multifaceted character at its core.
Barlow, the singing and lyrical force of Barlow & Bear, described the initial stages of crafting "Get Lost": "We knew we wanted it to be like a big pop anthem. But we didn’t really know what she was singing about until we got the script. And it said that she was a goddess that was stuck in a giant clam and she was giving Moana some non-advice." The image of a goddess confined to a giant clam, dispensing cryptic advice, instantly sparked their imaginations.
Bear, a prodigious composer and pianist, whose credentials include co-creating the viral Bridgerton musical on TikTok and touring as Beyoncé’s keyboard player, further elaborated on the character’s evolution: "I think she started out a little bit more evil or less good-intentioned. But the thing about Matangi is that she serves herself and serving Moana happens to help her in this case." This nuanced approach to villainy sets Matangi apart, blurring the lines between self-interest and genuine guidance.
The ambiguity surrounding Matangi’s motives is precisely what makes her so compelling. As Bear articulated, "But she’s very mysterious and I feel like at any point, one thing could change her. And I like that we also were told that Awhimai can sing her ass off. So we knew that we wanted to have this show-stopping song that really showcased her vocal ability. And she’s a new character. So [Disney] got to kind of branch out a little bit from the existing world of Moana." Disney’s willingness to embrace a character who defies easy categorization is a testament to the franchise’s evolving approach to storytelling.
Awhimai Fraser, the voice behind Matangi, emphasized the importance of both the script and the music in shaping her portrayal: "She’s got this older sister vibe about her to an extent. And I think that that was a really fun thing to play." This "older sister vibe" adds another layer to Matangi’s complexity, suggesting a desire to mentor and guide Moana, albeit in her own unconventional way. "She genuinely wanted Moana to succeed, but also when you’ve been stuck in a certain place and time for a very long amount of time, I think she was also learning sort of how to be sociable again. I think she was really surprised also by Moana, [and] that she was a bit thrown by her.”
The lyrics of "Get Lost" are a powerful call to embrace the unknown and to find one’s own path, even if it means straying from the conventional route. Matangi embodies this message, representing the alluring unpredictability that can lead to unexpected growth. Bear highlighted the deliberate ambiguity surrounding Matangi’s intentions, even during her show-stopping number: "I mean, ultimately, we didn’t even really what her agenda was. Is she good? Is she bad?"
This uncertainty was a conscious decision, designed to keep audiences guessing and to challenge their preconceived notions of good and evil. “That evolved as the film evolved. I think at one point she was a little too evil. And we’re like, why the hell would Moana even remotely trust her? And we’re like, ok, we need that bridge. We need that bridge that kind of opens the curtain a little bit: ‘Read between the lines. Listen to what I’m saying, Moana." The composers carefully crafted a balance between intrigue and potential danger, ensuring that Moana’s trust in Matangi, however tenuous, remained believable.
Fraser reveled in the character’s spontaneous twists and turns, particularly within the song itself: "Hopefully the performance showed that journey of, she arrives super sassy, mysterious, kind of playing around with Maui, and then at the end, you know, she genuinely hopes that she’ll see Tau Tai Moana again”—even if it’s as a challenger to the youngest of the demi-gods. Matangi’s journey from playful trickster to seemingly sincere mentor is a testament to the character’s multifaceted nature.
The core message of "Get Lost," and indeed of Matangi’s influence, lies in the importance of embracing the unknown. Barlow shared the inspiration behind the song’s title: “Even the line ‘Get Lost’ was inspired by a conversation with real life Wayfinders, who said getting lost was the pathway to magic. And we said, ‘write that down’. Because Moana’s making a bunch of mistakes, and she doesn’t know how to get out. She’s stuck.” This concept resonates deeply, reminding us that sometimes the most profound discoveries are made when we venture outside of our comfort zones.
Bear further emphasized Moana’s need for a paradigm shift: “Her bag of tricks is used up. She keeps making mistakes, relying on what she already knows," she explained, and described Matangi as an essential foil. We’ve all had that figure in our lives who shakes things up and gets us to make unpredictable choices. Here, it’s in the form of an alarmingly persuasive and charismatic flying demi-god with a legion of bats, saying “‘the point of this journey is you can’t take the path that’s already traveled. You have to find a new one’. But I think the fact that the lyrics are a little vague until we get to the bridge is intentional.”
Matangi’s ability to shift seamlessly between friend and foe serves a larger purpose: to challenge Moana’s perceptions and to push her beyond her self-imposed limitations. Ultimately, Matangi’s actions, even the questionable ones, are designed to foster Moana’s growth.
Fraser expressed her enthusiasm for reprising the role and hinted at future appearances for Matangi, building anticipation for potential future installments. “I hope to kind of delve a little bit more into Moana’s journey and also how Matangi can keep playing with her and keep pushing her into spaces that maybe she’s not so comfortable with," she said. This prospect excites fans who are eager to see more of the complex dynamic between Moana and the bat goddess.
Beyond her interactions with Moana, Fraser is also keen to explore Matangi’s backstory and motivations. “It would be really fascinating to find out how on earth—what did she do to get put into this giant clam and have to be there for a very long amount of time? She must have really annoyed Nalo.” The mystery surrounding Matangi’s imprisonment only adds to her allure, sparking endless possibilities for future storylines.
The arrival of Matangi has injected a fresh dose of intrigue and musicality into the Moana universe. Fans are eagerly awaiting more Matangi content, hoping that Moana 3 will soon be announced. In the meantime, Moana 2 is currently available on Disney+, offering a chance to become thoroughly immersed in the world of Moana and its captivating new villain, Matangi. The film will also be released on 4K and Blu-ray on March 18, with a special steelbook edition available at Walmart.
