The Mermaid 2016

Sci-Fi

Drama

Fantasy

Romance

Box Office

$554M

Runtime

94 min

Language

Chinese

Directed by

Stephen Chow

Made by

Sony Pictures Releasing

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The Mermaid Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for The Mermaid (2016). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.

Eloise shares a captivating and imaginative rendition of The Little Mermaid with her two curious granddaughters. In this enchanting story, a mermaid princess falls victim to a cunning wizard who steals her soul, resulting in an eternity far from the ocean she cherishes and enslaved in a world that is not her own. However, when the girls dismiss this intriguing tale as mere fantasy, Eloise transitions to recounting a more personal narrative about a girl she once met who had a real-life encounter with a mermaid that changed everything.

As the tale unfolds, we are introduced to Cam, a young journalist striving to balance his work while caring for his niece, Elle, who suffers from a mysterious and uncurable ailment. One day, while Cam is engrossed in writing a letter, he notices Elle having a coughing fit, prompting immediate concern for her delicate health. This moment of vulnerability leads to him receiving an assignment from his boss to investigate a circus performer in Mississippi named Locke, who claims to possess a miraculous “mermaid healing water.” Despite his skepticism, the urgent need to help Elle propels Cam into a world of myth and magic, as he hopes that this water could offer a cure for her condition.

Upon visiting the circus, Cam and Elle are astonished to discover a real mermaid encased in a glass tank, an image that sparks hope yet raises questions. The following day, Cam embarks on a series of interviews to probe the stories of those who have tried Locke’s so-called water, only to uncover that none of them truly found relief. Skeptical of the whole charade, he begins to suspect that the mermaid’s presence is simply part of Locke’s elaborate con.

Then a twist in the tale occurs when, while wandering through the woods, Cam and Elle once again cross paths with the mermaid, who now possesses legs. She introduces herself as Elizabeth and explains that her legs manifest during low tide, creating a moment of wonder and understanding. However, their conversation is abruptly cut short when Elizabeth feels the urge to return to the circus. Cam’s instincts urge him to investigate further, and he stealthily returns to the circus, eavesdropping on a sinister conversation between Locke and his underling, Sid, revealing Elizabeth’s dire situation. Locke has captured her soul in a vial, a dark secret that leaves Cam deeply troubled.

In a turn of events filled with danger, Locke kidnaps Elle, revealing a shocking truth: she possesses the unique “heart of a mermaid,” which he intends to exploit for his own gain. This revelation ignites a fierce determination within Cam, prompting him to rescue his beloved niece. With the support of Thora, a fortune teller endowed with magical powers, and Ulysses, a strongman renowned for his fighting prowess, Cam embarks on a quest not just to save Elle, but also to liberate Elizabeth from her glass prison. Along their perilous journey, they unearth that Thora and Ulysses themselves were once victims of Locke’s cruel deceit, having been drawn into his circus through cunning trickery.

The tension escalates as the group strives to escape to the ocean, facing Locke and Sid in a battle of wits and strength. Locke, revealing his own magical abilities, poses a formidable threat, but ultimately, the alliance between Cam, Thora, and Ulysses shines through as they fight for their freedom and the redemption of Elizabeth. In a moment of triumph, they reclaim Elizabeth’s soul, allowing her the liberty she so desperately craves. With Locke vanquished, Elizabeth utilizes her powers to heal Elle, imparting wisdom that a swim in the ocean will always aid her when she feels unwell, due to her secret mermaid lineage.

As their adventure nears its conclusion, Cam shares a poignant kiss with Elizabeth before she returns to the ocean, embodying a bittersweet farewell. Cam, now energized with the truth, pens a riveting exposé about Locke’s scams and the realities faced by Elizabeth, despite harboring doubts about whether anyone will truly embrace such a fantastical narrative.

In a twist returning us to the present, Eloise completes her enchanting story, coughing gently as she smiles at her granddaughters. In a surprising turn of events, she proclaims that it’s time for a swim, rising to walk toward the water with a glint of mischief and nostalgia in her eyes. The granddaughters follow closely behind, suddenly realizing the incredible truth: Eloise was Elle all along, intertwining their realities with the magical fables of the past.

The Mermaid Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of The Mermaid (2016) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.

Eloise Begins Her Tale

Eloise starts narrating her unique version of The Little Mermaid to her granddaughters. In her story, she tells of a mermaid princess who was tricked by a wizard, leading to dire consequences.

Cam's Concern for Elle

Cam, a young journalist, is depicted caring for his niece, Elle, who has an undiagnosed health condition. When Elle begins to cough, Cam takes her indoors, growing increasingly worried about her well-being.

Assignment to Investigate

Cam receives an assignment from his boss to investigate a circus act in Mississippi. The main performer, Locke, claims to have healing water from mermaids, prompting Cam to take on the investigation for Elle's sake.

Mississippi

Discovery at the Circus

Upon arriving at the circus, Cam and Elle are shocked to see a real mermaid trapped in a glass tank. This startling discovery raises many questions as they delve deeper into Locke's claims.

Circus

Investigating the Healing Water

The next day, Cam interviews multiple individuals who have used Locke's healing water. To his dismay, he learns that none of them experienced any genuine cures, leading him to suspect the entire setup as a scam.

Meeting Elizabeth

While walking in the woods, Cam and Elle encounter the mermaid again, who now has legs. She introduces herself as Elizabeth and explains her unique condition of having legs during low tide, sparking their curiosity.

Woods

Discovering Elizabeth's Imprisonment

Cam grows suspicious and sneaks back to the circus, where he overhears Locke and Sid discussing Elizabeth's imprisonment. He learns that Locke possesses a vial containing Elizabeth's soul, giving him a deeper understanding of the mermaid's plight.

Circus

Kidnapping of Elle

Locke kidnaps Elle, revealing that she possesses a rare 'heart of a mermaid.' This shocking turn of events sets the stage for Cam's desperate quest to rescue her, knowing her life is at risk.

Forming an Alliance

With the help of Thora, a fortune teller with magical powers, and Ulysses, a skilled strongman, Cam devises a plan to rescue Elle. They aim to retrieve Elizabeth's soul and free her from captivity at the circus.

The Great Escape

The group executes their rescue plan, releasing Elizabeth and escaping Locke's control. Along the way, they face various challenges, revealing the extent of Locke's cruelty as he pursues them.

Battle Against Locke

As they make their way to the ocean, Cam and his allies confront Locke and Sid in a fierce battle. The encounter culminates in a showdown where they must defeat Locke to ensure Elizabeth’s freedom.

Near the Ocean

Healing and Connection

With Locke defeated, Elizabeth regains her soul and is able to heal Elle. She shares a moment of intimacy with Elle, informing her that the ocean can provide comfort whenever she feels unwell, revealing Elle's mermaid heritage.

Cam's Exposé

After the events unfold, Cam writes a detailed exposé about Locke’s scams and the truth behind Elizabeth's story. Despite his doubts about whether anyone will believe him, he feels compelled to share the truth.

Eloise's Reveal

As Eloise's storytelling comes to an end, she experiences a coughing fit before smiling at her granddaughters. She surprises them by heading toward the water, unveiling that she has been Elle all along.

The Mermaid Characters

Explore all characters from The Mermaid (2016). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.

Cam

Cam is a devoted uncle and journalist who transitions from skepticism to belief through his experiences. His love for his niece drives him to uncover the truth, showcasing his determination and moral integrity despite the challenges he faces.

📜 Journalist ❤️ Uncle 💪 Determined

Elizabeth

Elizabeth is a conflicted mermaid yearning for her true identity and freedom. She embodies resilience, transforming from a captive mermaid to a beacon of hope, and ultimately plays a crucial role in healing Elle, emphasizing her connection to the ocean.

🧜‍♀️ Mermaid 🌊 Resilient 🔮 Enigmatic

Eloise

Eloise is the storyteller who connects past and present, wrapping her granddaughters in a magical tale that reveals deeper truths about identity and heritage. Her character arc culminates in a surprising revelation about her true identity.

📖 Storyteller 👵 Matriarch 🌊 Mysterious

The Mermaid Settings

Learn where and when The Mermaid (2016) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.

Time period

The movie is set in a contemporary time period, gradually revealing themes of modern medicine, exploitation, and the timeless nature of folklore and fairy tales. The story weaves together past and present narratives, resonating with both childhood stories and adult realities.

Location

Mississippi, Ocean

Mississippi serves as the backdrop for Cam's investigation into the circus and the mysterious healing water. The ocean is a significant location in the story, symbolizing freedom and identity for Elizabeth, the mermaid who longs to return to her home.

🌊 Ocean 🎪 Circus

The Mermaid Themes

Discover the main themes in The Mermaid (2016). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.

💔

Loss and Redemption

The theme of loss is central to the plot, as Elizabeth struggles with the loss of her soul and freedom due to Locke's manipulation. Redemption comes through Cam's determination to rescue Elle and aid Elizabeth, highlighting the power of compassion and belief in miracles.

🧜‍♀️

Myth and Reality

The blurred lines between myth and reality are explored through the character of the mermaid and the skepticism surrounding her healing abilities. The enchanting elements of the mermaid tale challenge the characters to confront their beliefs and the truth behind magical phenomena.

🌟

Courage and Friendship

Cam's journey showcases the importance of courage in the face of danger, as he risks everything to protect his niece and help Elizabeth. The bonds formed between him, Thora, and Ulysses highlight the strength of friendship and solidarity against adversity.

The Mermaid Ending Explained

Unravel the ending of The Mermaid (2016) with our detailed explanation. Understand the final scenes, character fates, and unresolved questions.

Ariel’s story culminates with her overcoming Ursula’s treachery to be with Prince Eric. After Ursula, disguised as a beautiful woman with Ariel’s voice, tricks Eric into believing she is his savior, Ariel quickly realizes something is wrong when she sees Eric about to marry Ursula. Using her own resourcefulness, she grabs her voice from Ursula’s necklace, regains her ability to sing and communicate, and rushes to stop the wedding. Just as Eric is about to say “I do,” Ariel’s voice is restored, and she sings to him, confirming her identity and her love for him. However, time is running out—she needs to seal her love with a true love’s kiss before sunset, or she’ll be forced back into her mermaid form and Ursula will take control of the sea forever.

As the final seconds tick away, Ariel and Eric nearly kiss, but Ursula intervenes, grabbing Ariel and pulling her into the sea. Ursula amplifies her power, transforming into her monstrous sea witch form, and attempts to dominate both the land and the sea. In the chaos, Ariel fights to save herself and her loved ones, managing to strike Ursula with a ship’s prow, which causes Ursula to fall into the ocean and be defeated. With Ursula gone, Triton’s magic is restored when he is struck by Ursula’s trident, and he comes back to life, realizing how much Ariel means to him.

The story concludes with Ariel becoming human and marrying Eric, symbolizing the union of land and sea, fostering harmony between the two worlds. Triton, witnessing his daughter’s happiness, finally understands that allowing her to follow her dreams and be true to herself is the greatest act of love. The kingdoms of humans and mermaids begin a new era of friendship, and although their worlds have been separated most of the story, by the end they are united in hope for the future.

Ariel’s story reaches its climax when she manages to expose Ursula’s deception just in time to save her love for Eric. After Ursula, disguised as a stunning woman with Ariel’s voice, tries to win Eric over, Ariel quickly realizes something is wrong when she sees him about to marry Ursula. Using her wit, she grabs her voice from Ursula’s necklace, regains her ability to sing and speak, and rushes to stop the wedding. As Eric is about to say “I do,” Ariel’s voice returns, and she sings her true love song, proving her identity and feelings. But she must act fast—if she doesn’t get Eric to kiss her before sunset, she will lose her human form and Ursula will take command of the seas forever.

The clock is almost out as Ariel and Eric are in a boat, and Ursula, in her monstrous sea witch form, appears and pulls Ariel underwater. Ursula’s plan is to enslave both land and sea, but Ariel’s friends—Sebastian, Flounder, and Scuttle—try to help. With Eric’s distraction, Ariel fights back and manages to hit Ursula with a ship’s prow, causing her to tumble into the ocean and die. This defeat restores Triton’s magic, and he is revived, finally understanding how much Ariel means to him and recognizing that love and happiness are worth more than fear and prejudice.

In the end, Triton withdraws his objections, grants Ariel her wish to become human permanently by using his trident, and Ariel marries Eric. Their union symbolizes a new harmony where humans and mermaids can coexist peacefully. Triton, having seen Ariel’s happiness, realizes that respecting her dreams and choices is the ultimate act of love. The story closes with the kingdoms of the land and sea celebrating their newfound friendship, suggesting that their worlds, once separated by mistrust, are now united in hope for a better future.

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