Abominable (2020) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Abominable takes place primarily in modern-day China, beginning in crowded urban Shanghai before expanding across the country's diverse landscapes. The story follows a cross-country journey through locations including Sichuan, the Gobi Desert, the Yellow River region, and finally the Himalayas near Mount Everest.

• setting
• locations
• China
• Shanghai
• Himalayas
• Mount Everest
• Chinese landscapes

The film is set in contemporary modern-day China, featuring current urban life, modern technology, private security, and corporate intrigue. The story unfolds across diverse climates and terrains, from city rooftops to rugged mountainous terrain.

• time period
• modern day
• contemporary China
• setting era

The movie explores several interconnected themes: Family & Reunion as Yi seeks to reconnect with her family while honoring her late father's memory; Nature & Power through the Yeti's ability to stimulate plant growth and the landscape's role as both beautiful and dangerous; Exploitation & Morality examining corporate greed versus animal welfare; and Adventure & Escape through the perilous cross-country trek.

• themes
• family
• nature
• exploitation
• adventure
• morality
• Yeti

Yi is a teenage violinist living in Shanghai with her mother and grandmother (Nai Nai). After her father's death, she has stopped playing in front of others but keeps his memory alive by playing on the rooftop each night. She is resourceful, stubborn, and driven by a desire to travel and help Everest reunite with his family while balancing family obligations.

• Yi
• main character
• violinist
• Shanghai
• family
• protagonist

Everest is a young Yeti who escapes from Burnish Industries and becomes Yi's unlikely ally. He possesses mystical powers that stimulate growth in plants, which helps the group throughout their journey. His ultimate goal is to reunite with his family on Mount Everest.

• Everest
• Yeti
• creature
• mystical powers
• plant growth
• abilities

Burnish Industries is a wealthy corporation led by Mr. Burnish that seeks to capture the Yeti to prove the existence of yetis to the world. The company represents corporate greed and the temptation to monetize wildlife, though Mr. Burnish eventually experiences a change of heart after seeing Everest protect children.

• Burnish Industries
• Mr. Burnish
• corporation
• greed
• Yeti capture
• antagonist

Zara is a zoologist who works with Burnish Industries but pursues Everest with the intent to sell him, disguising her exploitation of animals behind a pretense of concern. She ultimately betrays Burnish and becomes a key antagonist in the hunt for the Yeti.

• Zara
• zoologist
• antagonist
• Burnish Industries
• betrayal
• hunter

Yi's emotional journey centers around grief from losing her father, which she processes through playing his violin on the rooftop. The film maintains a hopeful tone, framing this emotional struggle with a sense of adventure and magical wonder, ultimately leading to a positive resolution that honors both her father's memory and her family's bond.

• grief
• loss
• father
• violin
• emotional journey
• family
• healing

The Yeti symbolizes a connection to nature and the wonder of mythical creatures. Everest's ability to stimulate plant growth ties the fate of living things to the journey's progress, raising questions about humanity's relationship with nature and whether we should protect or exploit the extraordinary.

• Yeti
• symbolism
• nature
• mythical creature
• conservation
• stewardship

Yi is joined by several companions: Everest the Yeti, her basketball-loving friend Peng who contributes bravely to escape attempts, and Peng's tech-savvy older cousin Jin who initially has friction with Yi but ultimately aids their escape. Her grandmother Nai Nai and mother remain in Shanghai, anchoring her sense of home.

• companions
• Peng
• Jin
• characters
• team
• friends
• helpers

Despite being categorized as horror, the film has an adventure and family-friendly tone with magical wonder elements. The pacing is fast due to the constant chase structure with regular escapes and action set pieces. While dealing with serious themes like parental loss, the overall emotional weight remains medium, with the focus on triumphant action and the supportive bond forming between characters.

• genre
• tone
• pacing
• adventure
• horror
• family
• emotional weight