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Drama

Tigertail (2020): Cast, Ratings & Ending

Tigertail (2020) movie poster

Tigertail is a 2020 drama directed by Alan Yang, starring Tzi Ma as Grover, Joan Chen and Kuei-Mei Yang. It runs 1 hour 31 minutes. Critics gave it 83% on Rotten Tomatoes and 65 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10.

IMDb rating
6.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes
83%
Echo Score
63
Metascore
65
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Tigertail (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 31m (91 min)
Director
Alan Yang
Genre
Drama
Original language
English
Studio
Netflix
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Tigertail About?

The premise of Tigertail without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

A young Taiwanese man, Pin-Jui, leaves his family and loved ones to pursue the promise of a better life in America. Decades later, as an older man in a strained marriage, he finds himself disconnected from his daughter and adrift, longing for purpose. He is compelled to reflect on his choices and the sacrifices he made, ultimately seeking to reconcile with his past and rediscover the dreams he once held dear.

Tigertail Themes & Keywords

· 8 tags
  • factory
  • factory worker
  • arranged marriage
  • taiwan
  • 1950s
  • emigration
  • multi generation
  • father daughter relationship
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Cast & crew

Tigertail Cast & Characters

Tzi Ma leads the cast as Grover, with Joan Chen as Yuan and Kuei-Mei Yang as Minghua. Directed by Alan Yang; 14 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

Tigertail Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Tigertail 83% on Rotten Tomatoes and 65 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 63/100, strongest in sensory experience (75) and weakest in story & flow (50).

63 /100

Tigertail Echo Score Breakdown

Tigertail presents a moderately engaging cinematic experience that balances striking visual craftsmanship with uneven narrative momentum. The film’s production design and cinematography receive praise for their clear period delineation and moody atmosphere, yet the editing and direction at times lack cohesive propulsion. Emotional authenticity resonates through earnest performances, although character development and pacing inconsistencies hinder deeper investment. Overall, the movie leaves a lingering sense of sincerity despite structural ambivalence.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 70

    In terms of art direction and cinematography, Tigertail demonstrates notable visual clarity and period authenticity. Nigel Buck’s framing effectively distinguishes time periods, while production design grounds key settings in subtle detail. The film’s editing choices emphasize mood over momentum, creating occasional disjunction. Overall, the visual craft underscores thematic melancholy with measured precision.

  • Character & Emotion 65

    In terms of character and emotion, the film anchors itself with sincere lead performances that convey reflective regret. Ma’s portrayal offers nuanced restraint, though secondary figures exhibit thinner development. Emotional resonance emerges in moments of parental sacrifice, yet limited interaction depth and uneven chemistry occasionally reduce engagement. Overall, the character work maintains authenticity but falls short of profound impact.

  • Story & Flow 50

    When it comes to story and flow, Tigertail offers a reflective narrative that traces decades of personal sacrifice. Plot coherence suffers from frequent non-linear transitions, leading to occasional confusion and narrative gaps. Pacing remains deliberate and slow, reinforcing thematic weight but undermining momentum. Overall, the story holds emotional intent yet struggles to sustain consistent engagement.

  • Sensory Experience 75

    In terms of sensory experience, the film’s score and sound design evoke a plaintive mood that complements its visual restraint. Michael Brooks’ music reinforces moments of introspection, while ambient soundscapes accentuate cultural settings. The visual style employs subdued color palettes and measured framing to reinforce emotional undercurrents. Overall, the sensory design deepens atmosphere without overpowering narrative subtleties.

  • Rewatch Factor 55

    In terms of rewatch factor, the film offers occasional moments of reflective insight that may reward a second viewing. The deliberate pacing and emotional focus can reveal subtle thematic layers, but structural unevenness and narrative opacity limit repeat engagement. Intermittent atmospheric strength endures, though the overall ambiguity may deter frequent revisits. Overall, rewatch appeal remains moderate.

Plot

Tigertail Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Tigertail from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

As the story unfolds, we delve into the life of Pin-Jui as he reflects on his journey, moving between heartfelt flashbacks and present-day challenges. The narrative is enriched by his poignant voiceover that illuminates his early memories, marked deeply by loneliness and vivid imaginations of his parents. Young Pin-Jui, portrayed by Tzi Ma, conjured comforting visions of his family while adhering to his grandmother’s stern dictum to “be strong” and hide his true feelings.

In his rural upbringing, a fortuitous meeting with Yuan (played by Joan Chen) breathed joy into his life, giving rise to an unbreakable bond fueled by their laughter and shared playfulness, providing respite from the harsh realities surrounding them. Yet, societal class distinctions posed an ever-present threat to their precious connection.

Full summary

The whole story of Tigertail, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Videos

Tigertail Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Tigertail.

Tigertail - A Film by Alan Yang | Official Trailer | Netflix
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Tigertail?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What does young Pin-Jui's grandmother advise him never to show?

Details

Tigertail Also Known As

9 alternative titles, including “Хвост тигра” and “Cola de tigre”.

Also known as
  • Хвост тигра
  • Cola de tigre
  • 虎尾
  • 타이거테일
  • חרטות
  • Ocas tygra
  • Tigertail – A mi történetünk
  • ذيول الماضي
  • Hổ Vĩ

Seen Tigertail?

FAQ

Tigertail FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of Tigertail, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Tigertail?

Tigertail runs 1 hour 31 minutes (91 minutes).

When was Tigertail released?

Tigertail was released on April 10, 2020.

Who directed Tigertail?

Tigertail was directed by Alan Yang.

Who is in the cast of Tigertail?

Tigertail stars Tzi Ma as Grover, Joan Chen as Yuan and Kuei-Mei Yang as Minghua, among 14 credited actors.

How is Tigertail rated?

Tigertail has 6.6/10 on IMDb, 83% on Rotten Tomatoes, 65 on Metacritic and 67% on TMDB.

Does Tigertail have a post-credit scene?

No. Tigertail has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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