Duyung

Duyung

Year: 2008

Runtime: 94 mins

Language: Malay

Director: A. Razak Mohaideen

ComedyFantasy

The tale centers on Jimmy, a young villager devoted to safeguarding the environment. His unconventional and strange habits draw disapproval from his neighbors. Despite the tension, Jimmy befriends Orix, an apeman from a nearby tribe, and quietly fosters affection for Aspalela, the daughter of Tok Mudim, the village chief.

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Timeline & Setting – Duyung (2008)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Duyung (2008). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

East Coast, Sabah, Malaysia

The story unfolds along Sabah's east coast, a coastal village where the sea shapes daily life. Residents rely on fishing and small trades, while pollution challenges the environment. Jimmy's floating island made from discarded rubbish becomes a symbol of resilience and communal effort. The underwater realm where Puteri dwells adds a magical layer to the setting.

🌊 Coastal Village ♻️ Pollution 🎣 Fishing Community

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:32

Main Characters – Duyung (2008)

Meet the key characters of Duyung (2008), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Jimmy (Saiful Apek)

A young, idealistic guardian of the sea who cleans the village and refuses ordinary work in favor of environmental stewardship. He builds a floating island from discarded rubbish, a risky act that demonstrates resilience but earns him scorn as an eccentric dreamer. His love for Aspalela drives him to overcome poverty and social expectations.

🌊 Environmentalist ❤️ Romantic 🧭 Dreamer

Aspalela (Yasmin Hani)

Aspalela is Jimmy's childhood sweetheart who believes in him and wants to marry him. She supports his environmental mission but is bound by her father's demand for land and security before marriage. Her loyalty is tested by social pressures while remaining hopeful about their future.

❤️ Romantic 🌿 Practical 🗺️ Loyal

Wan Pagek (Hafidzuddin Fazil)

Aspalela's father, a pragmatic man who requires Jimmy to own land before he approves the marriage. He represents tradition and the community's cautious stance toward changing roles and wealth. His change over the course of the story signals a shift in village attitudes.

🏡 Traditional 🛡 Protective 💬 Pragmatic

Puteri (Maya Karin)

A lonely mermaid who befriends Jimmy after his environmental feats. She helps fortify his floating island and offers treasure to aid him, testing his resolve to stay with Aspalela. When captured by Kordi, her absence sparks a community effort to rescue her.

🧜‍♀️ Mythic 🪙 Generous 🌀 Secretive

Kordi (Awie)

An ambitious suitor who also wants Aspalela and uses manipulation to turn villagers against Jimmy and Puteri. He captures Puteri and sells glimpses of the mermaid, intensifying the conflict in the village. He represents greed and selfish competition.

🗡 Antagonist 🧠 Cunning 💼 Ambitious

Orix (Yassin Senario)

Jimmy's loyal friend who stands by him through ridicule and danger. Orix provides comic relief and steadfast support as the community faces the upheaval caused by Puteri's appearance. His presence emphasizes friendship and solidarity in adversity.

🎭 Loyal 🤝 Friendship 🧭 Support

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:32

Major Themes – Duyung (2008)

Explore the central themes of Duyung (2008), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🌊 Environment

Jimmy's environmental mission centers the sea and village, turning waste into practical use. The floating island proves that care for the environment can drive innovation and unite people. His dream clashes with village norms, creating tension with skeptical neighbors and even family. The theme highlights how small acts of stewardship ripple through a community.

💰 Love & Wealth

Aspalela's affection for Jimmy faces the obstacle of his poverty and lack of land ownership. Jimmy's sudden wealth, gained from treasure and the mermaid Puteri, reshapes villagers' attitudes and creates a new power dynamic. The romance is tested by money, land, and social expectations, highlighting the theme that love must contend with material realities.

🧜‍♀️ Belief & Fantasy

The mermaid Puteri represents wonder and secrecy, offering aid while risking exposure. Jimmy's credibility is challenged when Puteri disappears, forcing the community to reconcile belief with rational explanations. The rescue and eventual marriage are framed by the tension between myth and social acceptance, with Puteri's ultimate choice leaving Jimmy to pursue his life with Aspalela.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:32

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Explore Movie Threads

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Idyllic Underdog Stories like Duyung

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a steadfast protagonist who is initially misunderstood or ostracized by their community due to their unconventional ways. Through a series of gentle, character-driven events, they slowly prove their value, often with the help of unique friendships, ultimately fostering unity and achieving a happy resolution.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped together for their shared core of optimism, gentle pacing, and focus on community acceptance. They create a specific viewing experience defined by a light emotional weight, a straightforward yet heartwarming plot, and an ending that feels genuinely happy and satisfying.

Gentle Fantasy Romances like in Duyung

Charming love stories woven with light magic and gentle humor.Looking for movies with a romantic vibe similar to Duyung? This collection features sweet, unconventional love stories set against a backdrop of light fantasy. Find films that blend heartwarming romance with whimsical elements and a hopeful, uplifting feel.

romanticwhimsicalsweetcharminghopefulgentleuplifting

Narrative Summary

The romance is a central, motivating force that develops organically alongside the protagonist's main quest. It is characterized by quiet affection, mutual support, and a lack of major melodrama. The fantastical elements of the world often parallel or gently enhance the emotional connection between the characters.

Why These Movies?

This thread groups movies based on their specific blend of a light-hearted romantic subplot with fantastical elements. The shared vibe is one of charm and gentle optimism, where the romance feels integral to the story but never overshadows the overall hopeful and uplifting tone.

Unlock the Full Story of Duyung

Don't stop at just watching — explore Duyung 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 Duyung is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Duyung Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Duyung, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Duyung Summary

Duyung Timeline

Track the full timeline of Duyung with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Duyung Timeline

Duyung Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Duyung that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Duyung Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Duyung

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Duyung: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

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