Year: 2018
Runtime: 100 min
Language: Chinese
Directors: Chun Zhang, Xuan Liang
In a mystical realm concealed from humanity, the guardians of time, tide, and seasons maintain a wondrous world. When sixteen-year-old Chun is transformed into a dolphin, she finds herself in the human world and is rescued by a young boy who bravely gives his life to save her. Deeply touched by his sacrifice, Chun chooses to restore him, beginning an extraordinary journey to protect his soul and help it flourish. As their love deepens amidst perilous adventures, Chun must eventually release him back to the human world, forever altering their destinies.
Warning: spoilers below!
Haven’t seen Big Fish & Begonia yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!
Read the complete plot breakdown of Big Fish & Begonia (2018), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
In a mystical realm hidden beneath the human world, where magical beings thrive, a young girl named Chun embarks on a pivotal journey during a coming-of-age ritual. She is transformed into a red dolphin and must navigate the human world for a week. It is here that she meets a human boy who cherishes the ocean’s creatures. Tragedy strikes during a storm when Chun gets caught in a fishing net, leading to the boy’s death as he heroically attempts to save her. Heartbroken, Chun returns to her realm clutching the boy’s ocarina.
In her desire to revive her friend, Chun pleads with the Soul Keeper, a being responsible for guiding virtuous souls from the human world. In a desperate bargain, she willingly sacrifices half her lifespan in exchange for the boy’s essence, which is reborn as a baby dolphin named Kun. With the help of her childhood friend Qiu, Chun faces the challenges of raising Kun despite the taboo against human beings in her world.
Chaos ensues when Chun’s mother discovers Kun and cruelly disposes of him into the sewer. Determined to rescue him, Chun and Qiu encounter a rat matron who is intrigued by Kun and aims to reclaim him with her rat minions. Despite their best efforts to protect Kun from the villagers’ wrath, Qiu suffers a perilous bite from a two-headed snake, prompting Chun’s grandfather to sacrifice himself to save the boy. His spirit endures through a magnificent begonia tree, which later plays a crucial role.
As strange, unnatural storms besiege Chun’s realm—signs of Kun’s disruption—the local elders and Chun’s family swiftly recognize the cause. One night, warned by the rat matron, Qiu decides to hide Kun in a frozen lake to shield Chun from danger, but her instinct drives her to plunge into the icy depths after him. The rat matron summons her rats to rescue both from the chill, but she seizes the ocarina with plans to enter the human world herself.
Amidst these dire events, Qiu approaches the Soul Keeper to sacrifice his own future for Chun’s safety, but the price is steep—his entire lifespan. Amidst a labyrinth of choices, he learns how to counteract the impending doom. As tensions escalate, the community unites to eliminate Kun, leading Qiu to attempt a portal that could save both worlds. However, Kun struggles to navigate the passage as calamities unleash torrents of sea water into Chun’s world.
Feeling the weight of her choices, Chun faces the community’s disdain, even from her mother. In a poignant moment of selflessness, she merges with her grandfather’s begonia tree to seal the breaches, thwarting the flood and protecting her people.
In a twist of fate, Kun takes a branch from the begonia and presents it to the Soul Keeper, who resurrects Chun, sending her on a journey to reunite Kun with his home. As they share one last evening together, Qiu is paralyzed by regret, unable to voice his true feelings.
The following day, as Chun bids a heartfelt farewell to Kun, Qiu opens one final portal. Unbeknownst to Chun, he casts a spell that will send her through while ensuring his demise. As he sacrifices himself, he whispers that he will forever be with her. Transformed once more into a red dolphin, Chun follows Kun into the human realm.
On the shore of the human world, they awaken in their human forms. As Kun stirs and sees Chun reaching out to him, their destinies intertwine once again. In a haunting mid-credits reveal, the Soul Keeper resurrects Qiu from the ashes, appointing him as her successor, unveiling the profound price of love and sacrifice in this enchanting tale.
Last Updated: November 15, 2024 at 16:42
Don't stop at just watching — explore Big Fish & Begonia in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Big Fish & Begonia is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of Big Fish & Begonia with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover movies like Big Fish & Begonia that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.
Big Fish & Begonia (2018) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline
Big Fish & Begonia (2018) Movie Characters, Themes & Settings
Movies Like Big Fish & Begonia – Similar Titles You’ll Enjoy
Big Fish (2003) Detailed Story Recap
Year of the Fish (2008) Ending Explained & Film Insights
White Snake (2019) Story Summary & Characters
Flow (2024) Story Summary & Characters
Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms (2018) Movie Recap & Themes
Dolphin Kick (2019) Film Overview & Timeline
The Mermaid (2016) Full Movie Breakdown
Over the Moon (2020) Full Summary & Key Details
The Boy and the Heron (2023) Full Movie Breakdown
Drifting Home (2022) Movie Recap & Themes
Wish Dragon (2021) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
Jiang Ziya (2020) Detailed Story Recap
Belle (2022) Story Summary & Characters
Aquamarine (2006) Full Movie Breakdown
Splash (1984) Film Overview & Timeline