The beloved 2001 animated classic Shrek continues to reveal surprises, even after 24 years. Fans are now buzzing over a curious discovery: a photograph of a real woman hidden in the background of a scene, less than half an hour into the movie. Is this an animation mistake, an Easter egg, or something more intriguing? Let’s dive into the mystery of the “Duloc woman.”

The Scene That Started It All

In the first Shrek film, the scene in question occurs as Shrek (voiced by Mike Myers) and Donkey (voiced by Eddie Murphy) approach Lord Farquaad’s castle in Duloc. As the two characters make their way toward the castle, a seemingly out-of-place image appears in the window of a ticket stall. At first glance, this may look like just another background detail, but closer inspection reveals something unusual—it’s the image of a real-life woman, not an animated character.

Credits: Dreamworks picture

Given that all the characters in Shrek are animated, the question arises: How did this photograph get into the film? Fans have been scrambling to piece together the puzzle, and the mystery only deepens as more viewers spot the woman.

Fans Investigate: The Search for the “Duloc Woman”

Eagle-eyed fans have taken to social media and various forums, including Reddit, to share their findings. Many claim that the mysterious woman can be spotted in the Netflix version of the movie at approximately 00:21:18, but others confirm that the image is present on the original 2001 DVD release as well. One Reddit user even checked the oldest physical DVD copy, which was mailed to Academy Awards voters before the official home release, and confirmed that the woman has been in the film since its original release.

This confirmation suggests that the image was not added in recent versions or by Netflix. The mystery goes beyond just a simple animation error—it appears to be a purposeful inclusion, leaving fans to wonder why it was there in the first place.

Theories on the Identity of the Woman

The woman’s identity has sparked several theories. One popular suggestion is that the image could be of actress Cameron Diaz, who voiced Princess Fiona in the Shrek series. Some fans speculate that this might be a hidden Easter egg, a playful nod to the actress. This theory is bolstered by the fact that Diaz sported a similar hairstyle, earrings, and a white t-shirt in a 1996 film called She’s the One.

Credits: youtube

However, technology seems to debunk this idea. In the 4K version of the film, the woman’s features are clearer, and it’s evident that the image is not of Diaz. Despite this, the mystery continues, with some fans suggesting that it could be a photo of someone connected to the production, like an animator’s family member or a crew member’s spouse.

A Creepy Coincidence or a Prank?

As if the Duloc woman weren’t enough, another odd detail appears in the opposing ticket window. It seems to show a headshot of a character from Antz, another DreamWorks film released in 1998. Given that Shrek and Antz were both produced by DreamWorks, some fans believe this may be an intentional connection, further suggesting that the appearance of the photograph was not an accident.

Could it have been a harmless prank by an animator? Perhaps someone inserted a photo of a loved one into the background for fun. Or, more creepily, could it have been the result of an animator fixated on a coworker? The truth is still up for debate, but the inclusion of the photograph seems intentional, not a mistake.

The Mystery Continues

As of now, the mystery of the “Duloc woman” remains unsolved. Theories abound, but no definitive answers have emerged. What’s clear, however, is that Shrek continues to be a film full of surprises, even after all these years. Whether it was an animator’s inside joke, an Easter egg, or just a quirky detail, this hidden image adds another layer of intrigue to a movie that remains as popular as ever.

As the speculation grows, one thing is certain: fans of Shrek will keep searching for clues, hoping to uncover the truth behind this mysterious photograph.