Directed by
Matteo Garrone
Made by
IFC Films
Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Tale of Tales (2016). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.
In the magical kingdom of Longtrellis, a desperate King and Queen face the heart-wrenching challenge of being unable to conceive a child. Their plight leads them to a necromancer, who offers a dark suggestion: if the Queen consumes a sea dragon’s heart, prepared by a virgin, she will finally be able to give birth, albeit at a grave cost of a life. After the King bravely slays the sea dragon, he succumbs to fatal injuries during the battle. Devastated yet determined, the Queen eats the dragon’s heart and soon gives birth to a son, Elias, who possesses strikingly white hair, reminiscent of the beast. Meanwhile, the cook also has a child, a boy named Jonah, with whom Elias forms an unbreakable bond.
However, the Queen’s jealousy over their friendship intensifies, prompting her to plot against Jonah’s life. Fortunately, Jonah evades her murderous schemes and escapes, leaving behind a poignant message for Elias by plunging a knife into a tree root and declaring that as long as the root flows with clear water, he is alive and safe. Time passes, and the peaceful waters turn murky with blood, compelling Elias to search for his friend Jonah. The Queen, fearing the revelation of her sinister actions, orders her subjects to find Elias but is met with no success. The necromancer hints that the bond between the boys is too strong for her to sever with violence alone.
In a fateful encounter, Elias discovers Jonah injured in a cave, where they confront a menacing monster. Although the creature injures Jonah, it hesitates to attack Elias, allowing him to slay the beast and rescue Jonah, returning him safely to his wife. In a shocking twist, the monster’s remains dissolve into the form of the Queen, revealing the dark price of her desires.
In another tale, the lustful King of Strongcliff is entranced by the enchanting voice of a woman, unaware that it belongs to one of two aged sisters, Imma and Dora. After a night spent in darkness, the King is horrified to see Dora’s true form in the light of day, leading him to discard her from a window. Miraculously, she is caught by a tree, and later rescued by a witch, who rejuvenates her beauty. Captivated by Dora’s transformation, the King seeks to make her his Queen. Despite her promises to care for her sister Imma, Dora’s resentment leads to disastrous consequences when Imma seeks the secret to her sister’s youth, ultimately resulting in her gruesome fate as she opts for a horrific procedure.
In a bizarre twist, the King of Highhills becomes obsessed with a flea that he keeps as a pet until it grows to an enormous size. Upon its death, he decides to skin it, promising his daughter Violet in marriage to anyone who can identify the beast the skin came from. To his shock, an ogre identifies the hide through smell alone. Bound by his own word, the King forces Violet into an unthinkable union with the ogre, who later takes her captive. In a gripping turn of events, Violet, aided by a family of acrobats, manages to escape but suffers great tragedy as the ogre hunts them down. Ultimately, Violet confronts her husband, and in a desperate act, she slits his throat and returns home—bringing with her the head of the ogre, leading to a haunting emotional moment shared with the King.
As the story unfolds, the paths of Elias, Dora, and the King of Strongcliff converge at Violet’s coronation as Queen. As she approaches the throne, gazes turn towards the sky, where a performer captivates the audience with a breathtaking act of fire walking. As the celebration carries on, a poignant transformation begins to unfold for Dora, whose youthful beauty starts to fade away unnoticed. In the midst of these intertwining fates, the characters grapple with the consequences of their desires and the unending quest for love and acceptance.
Follow the complete movie timeline of Tale of Tales (2016) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.
King and Queen's Despair
In the kingdom of Longtrellis, the despairing King and Queen desperately wish for a child. Their inability to conceive leads them to seek the advice of a necromancer, setting off a chain of tragic events.
The Necromancer's Proposal
The necromancer proposes a dark solution to the Queen's plight: she must eat the heart of a sea dragon, cooked by a virgin. Although it holds the promise of life, it comes at the steep cost of a human life.
The Sea Dragon's Slaying
The King bravely slays the sea dragon to fulfill the necromancer's requirement. However, he sustains severe wounds during the battle and tragically dies shortly thereafter.
Birth of Elias
With heavy heart, the Queen consumes the heart of the sea dragon and miraculously bears a son named Elias. His striking white hair, reminiscent of the dragon, marks him as a special child.
Jonah's Birth
Alongside Elias, the cook gives birth to another boy, Jonah. The two boys are identical and form an inseparable bond, delighting in their shared adventures.
The Queen's Dark Intent
Fueled by jealousy and vexation, the Queen attempts to murder Jonah, viewing him as a threat to her own son. However, Jonah manages to escape her clutches and flees the kingdom.
A Promise to Elias
Before leaving, Jonah plunges a knife into a tree root, casting a spell that signals their bond. He swears to Elias that as long as the root bears clear water, he is alive and well.
Elias's Search
One day, the clear water from the root is clouded with blood, signaling trouble for Jonah. Alarmed by this sign, Elias embarks on a quest to find his friend and uncover the truth.
The Queen's Desperation
The Queen, sensing that Elias is missing, orders her subjects to search for him but finds no trace. A necromancer reveals that the boys' bond is unbreakable, and violence will only fuel the Queen's dark desires.
The Cave Encounter
Elias ultimately discovers Jonah, who is wounded and hiding in a cave. They face a terrifying monster together; the creature wounds Jonah but hesitates to attack Elias.
Confronting the Monster
In a moment of bravery, Elias kills the monster, ensuring Jonah's safety. The defeat of the creature is both a blessing and a curse as its organic form vanishes, revealing the Queen's essence within.
The King of Strongcliff's Interest
Meanwhile, in Strongcliff, the lustful King is drawn to the enchanting song of a woman, unaware that she is one of two elderly sisters. This obsession reveals the depravity lurking within him.
Dora's Transformation
After spending a night with the King in darkness, Dora is horrified when he rejects her the next morning for her appearance. Rescued by a witch, she undergoes a transformation into a beautiful maiden.
Imma's Downfall
Seeking the secret to her sister's beauty, Imma's desperation leads to her own gruesome fate. After violating the royal couple's privacy, she agrees to be flayed, emerging bloody and disfigured.
Violet's Coronation
As the new Queen, Violet's coronation is a grand affair attended by Elias and the King of Strongcliff. A captivating entertainer draws the crowd's attention, even as Dora's beauty fades, hinting at the consequences of beauty and desire.
Explore all characters from Tale of Tales (2016). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.
Elias
Elias is the innocent son of a desperate Queen, born from the heart of a sea dragon. His bond with Jonah defines his character, showcasing loyalty and courage. He embarks on a journey to find his friend, showcasing determination in the face of danger.
Jonah
Jonah is Elias's twin and inseparable friend, whose life becomes entangled in the Queen's dark plans. His struggle for survival highlights themes of friendship and loyalty, as he navigates betrayal and danger. Jonah’s bravery surfaces as he faces brutal challenges to stay alive.
Dora
Dora is one of the elderly sisters whose desire for beauty leads to tragic consequences. Her pact with the witch transforms her into a beautiful maiden, but her morally questionable decisions set off a chain of events that ruin her sister's life. Dora embodies the complexities of vanity and sacrifice.
Violet
Violet, the daughter of the King of Highhills, is a victim of her father's misguided choices. Her forced marriage to an ogre reveals her resilience and strength, as she ultimately takes matters into her own hands. Violet's narrative highlights themes of autonomy and defiance against oppression.
The King of Strongcliff
The lustful King of Strongcliff represents the dangers of unchecked desire and objectification. His fascination leads to tragic outcomes as he discards those who no longer serve his whims. His character illustrates the perils of superficial attraction over genuine connection.
Learn where and when Tale of Tales (2016) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.
Time period
The events take place in a fantastical realm that reflects a timeless medieval period. The themes of royal intrigues, magic, and supernatural elements are typical of fairy tales. This era is characterized by strict social hierarchies and the dark desires of its rulers.
Location
Longtrellis, Strongcliff, Highhills
The story unfolds in the enchanting kingdoms of Longtrellis, Strongcliff, and Highhills. Longtrellis is marked by its royal court and the Queen's desperate attempts for motherhood, while Strongcliff is known for its lustful King and dark secrets. Highhills features a bizarre fascination with a peculiar flea, setting the stage for a tale of beauty, brutality, and transformation.
Discover the main themes in Tale of Tales (2016). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.
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Magic
Magic plays a crucial role in 'Tale of Tales,' driving the narratives of desire, beauty, and terror. The necromancer's influence on the Queen's fate illustrates how power can be wielded to achieve twisted ambitions. Throughout the stories, magical transformations lead to both wondrous and horrific outcomes.
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Violence
Violence is a recurring theme that underscores the characters' desperation and the harsh realities of their choices. From the Queen's murderous desires to Violet's struggle against her fate, the stories highlight how violence begets more violence. The price of ambition is often paid in blood.
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Royalty
Royalty and the burdens that come with it are central to the film. The Kings and Queens in the stories navigate their desires and the consequences of their actions. Their quests for power, love, and validation lead to tragic results, revealing the darker side of regal lives.
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