Earthquake Bird

Earthquake Bird

Year: 2019

Runtime: 107 min

Language: English

Director: Wash Westmoreland

DramaMysteryThrillerRomanceCrime

In Tokyo's vibrant and shadowy streets, expatriate Lucy grapples with a difficult past while involved in a passionate relationship with photographer Teiji. The disappearance of a young acquaintance, Lily, throws Lucy's carefully constructed world into disarray. As suspicion arises, Lucy’s guarded exterior begins to crack, forcing her to confront the buried secrets and traumas she has long concealed.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Earthquake Bird (2019) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Earthquake Bird (2019), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

Set against the vibrant backdrop of 1989 Tokyo, Lucy Fly (Alicia Vikander), a young expatriate, finds herself embroiled in a murder investigation following the mysterious disappearance of her friend, Lily Bridges (Riley Keough). The tension escalates from a complex love triangle involving Teiji Matsuda (Naoki Kobayashi), as Lucy’s world spirals into chaos.

Working diligently as a translator at Sasagawa, Lucy’s life takes a dark turn when Detective Oguchi (Ken Yamamura) arrives to question her after Lily’s lifeless body is unearthed mere days after her disappearance. Despite the unfathomable situation, Lucy maintains her composure, insisting she was the last person to see Lily before she vanished. She explains that she was attempting to return an item to Lily, but ultimately failed to catch up with her.

Having resided in Japan for over five years with no family nearby—her father being an electrician back home with seven brothers—Lucy feels isolated. As her past unfolds through flashbacks, we observe her initial encounter with Teiji, a photographer who, rather inviolably, captured her image without consent. Their connection deepened swiftly, blossoming into intimacy as they shared shelter during an earthquake.

Amidst taking violin lessons, Lucy’s world expands to include Lily, who she meets through a mutual friend, Bob Johnson (Jack Huston). Lucy, an introverted soul, contrasts sharply with the vibrant and outspoken Lily. Over time, Lucy introduces Lily to her world and her budding romance with Teiji, but the complexities of their relationships begin to intertwine dangerously.

Despite Lucy’s efforts, tensions rise as she attempts to persuade Teiji to sell his photographs, only to be met with cold indifference. Her jealousy and insecurities surface when she discovers Teiji had another muse, a woman named Sachi—a realization that deeply unsettles her.

As Lucy and Lily’s friendship blooms, they explore Tokyo together, spending nights at Lucy’s apartment. The dynamics shift during an art festival where Bob’s playful advances toward Lily reveal underlying desires, ultimately leading to a reckless encounter involving a trio that complicates their relationships even further. Lucy’s simmering anger boils when she discovers Teiji taking photographs of Lily, a betrayal that shakes her to the core.

In a pivotal moment, Lucy confesses to Oguchi that she murdered Lily, only for the investigation to reveal that the body found isn’t Lily’s at all. After being set free, she returns to find Teiji, who proposes they escape together—an offer she rejects. In a fit of rage, he turns violent, prompting Lucy to defend herself; she strikes him down with a glass vase in a desperate act of survival.

Through this haunting narrative, Lucy navigates love, jealousy, and the desperate grip of betrayal, culminating in a tragedy that revels in the darkest corners of the human psyche.

Last Updated: November 15, 2024 at 16:43

Ending Explained – What Happens at the End of Earthquake Bird?

Still wondering what the ending of Earthquake Bird (2019) really means? Here’s a spoiler-heavy breakdown of the final scene, major twists, and the deeper themes that shape the film’s conclusion.

In the confusing and emotionally charged ending of Earthquake Bird, Lucy finally confesses to the police that she has murdered Lily. However, shortly afterward, DNA evidence reveals that the body found isn’t actually Lily’s, which shifts the case from murder to a disappearance. This twist leaves Lucy feeling hollow and mistaken, as she now believes Lily and Teiji might have run away together, leaving her burdened by guilt and sadness once more. The detectives reassure her that there’s no concrete proof of her guilt, urging her not to feel so responsible, but Lucy’s inner turmoil remains unresolved. She then visits Teiji’s apartment to look for clues about Lily’s whereabouts, discovering disturbing photos of Lily’s dead body. When she tries to report this to the police, they are gone, and Teiji is waiting for her at her place. Their confrontation escalates into violence, and Lucy, feeling betrayed and desperate, kills Teiji in self-defense after he attempts to choke her. The film concludes with her reflecting at a retreat, expressing remorse for her accidental killing of another friend, which echoes her ongoing feelings of guilt and regret. The ending suggests that Lucy’s capacity for guilt and her struggle to accept her past make her stuck in a cycle of grief. The story ultimately reveals that her guilt is more about her own unresolved emotional pain and her inability to forgive herself, rather than one definitive act of murder, emphasizing that guilt and remorse can haunt a person long after the truth has been obscured.

Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:44

Unlock the Full Story of Earthquake Bird

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

Earthquake Bird Timeline

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

Earthquake Bird Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Earthquake Bird

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Earthquake Bird. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Earthquake Bird

Earthquake Bird Ending Explained

What really happened at the end of Earthquake Bird? This detailed ending explained page breaks down final scenes, hidden clues, and alternate interpretations with expert analysis and viewer theories.

Earthquake Bird Ending Explained

More About Earthquake Bird

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

More About Earthquake Bird

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