May You Stay Forever Young

May You Stay Forever Young

Year: 2021

Runtime: 86 mins

Language: Cantonese

Directors: Ren Xia, Lam Sum

Drama

In June 2019, during the Anti-Extradition Law protests in Hong Kong, a young woman named YY plans to commit suicide to pressure the government. A group of fellow protestors desperately races against time to find her before she carries out her plan. The emotionally charged search leads them to a rooftop, where they find Lai preparing to jump. They must now find a way to persuade her to reconsider and prevent a tragedy.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen May You Stay Forever Young 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!

Timeline – May You Stay Forever Young (2021)

Trace every key event in May You Stay Forever Young (2021) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Arrest and assault during Sheung Wan protest

YY and Ho are arrested during a protest in Sheung Wan. They witness a fellow protester being sexually assaulted by police, an event that shocks them and highlights the brutality they face. The incident deepens their fear and distrust of the authorities.

21 July 2019 Sheung Wan
2

Ho decides to migrate away

Shortly after the arrest, Ho decides to migrate from Hong Kong, blaming YY for encouraging her to stay after the peaceful rallies. The decision marks a rift between the two friends and changes YY's emotional outlook. The separation hints at mounting personal loss amid the political turmoil.

late July 2019 Hong Kong
3

YY writes a suicide note

On 28 July, YY writes a suicide note addressed to her father and calls Nam to say farewell. The note signals her belief that her death could somehow prove the protests' significance. The moment reveals YY's despair and sense of desperation.

28 July 2019 Hong Kong
4

Nam organizes a search for YY

Nam informs the group that YY may be contemplating suicide and proposes they search for her. He assembles friends and fellow protesters to begin a coordinated effort across the city. The urgency shows how closely the group monitors YY's safety.

late July 2019 Hong Kong
5

Bao joins in Kwai Fong

Bao, a social worker who counsels young protesters, joins the search in Kwai Fong after seeing Telegram messages. He assesses YY's mental state and urges immediate action to locate her. His expertise adds a professional layer to the rescue attempt.

late July 2019 Kwai Fong
6

Bao meets Ho at a beverage shop

Bao encounters Ho at a beverage shop and Mahesh? No, he leaves his number for her, but Ho hesitates to discuss YY. The exchange keeps hope alive while maintaining caution about YY's whereabouts.

late July 2019 Beverage shop, Kwai Fong
7

Telegram-led citywide search

Mr. Burnism calls for help in Telegram groups, prompting protesters to conduct a broader search across Hong Kong. The effort expands beyond Kwai Fong as people volunteer to comb multiple districts. The citywide mobilization demonstrates solidarity among the protesters.

late July 2019 Hong Kong (across multiple districts)
8

Lead to YY's public housing estate

Bell asks a delivery man who recognizes YY and directs the group to her public housing estate. The lead narrows the search to a specific residential area, giving the team renewed purpose. It shows how small connections help in a rescue operation.

late July 2019 YY's public housing estate
9

Address found; apartment broken into

Bao receives a call from Ho providing YY's exact address, and the group rushes to YY's apartment. They break in and discover a suicide note addressed to YY's father. The discovery confirms YY's location and deepens the urgency to find her.

late July 2019 YY's apartment
10

Doll selfie leads to new clue

Mr. Burnism sees YY's selfie with a doll on social media and the group heads to a claw machine arcade for a clue. A customer reveals that YY had left an hour earlier, shifting their search toward a new time window. The clue drives them to chase a fresh lead.

late July 2019 Claw machine arcade
11

Police confrontation and arrests

Their loud discussions attract undercover police who detain the group in an alley and search them. Zoe is sexually molested during the takedown, while Mr. Burnism escapes to join the protests; Nam, Bell, and Louis flee, Fai is beaten, and Zoe and Bao are arrested. The incident deepens the peril the group faces.

late July 2019 Alley (undercover police operation)
12

Louis shifts focus toward Chater Road

Louis blames Nam for the injuries and arrests and leads Mr. Burnism away to join the protests at Chater Road. The division within the group mirrors the stresses of the protest movement. The scene foreshadows a broader struggle beyond YY's immediate safety.

late July 2019 Chater Road
13

Nam confesses to Bell

Nam breaks down and confesses to Bell that YY was arrested while trying to help him after he was shot with a rubber bullet. Bell offers encouragement, urging him to keep faith with YY and the cause. Their emotional exchange underscores the personal cost of the protests.

late July 2019 Unknown
14

Doll leads to rooftop pursuit

They spot the doll from YY's selfie and hurry to the rooftop of an adjacent building, where Ho arrives shortly after. The rooftop becomes a focal point as they converge on YY's location. Tensions rise as they reach the final confrontation.

late July 2019 Rooftop of adjacent building
15

YY's suicide occurs during the rescue attempt

They try to persuade YY not to jump, explaining that her death would be in vain. Despite their pleas, YY leaps off the building, and Nam, Bell, and Ho reach out to grab her arm as she falls. The failed rescue marks a devastating climax to the story.

late July 2019 Rooftop

Last Updated: October 14, 2025 at 04:08

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of May You Stay Forever Young

Don't stop at just watching — explore May You Stay Forever Young 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 May You Stay Forever Young is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

May You Stay Forever Young Summary

Read a complete plot summary of May You Stay Forever Young, 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.

May You Stay Forever Young Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in May You Stay Forever Young

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

Characters, Settings & Themes in May You Stay Forever Young

May You Stay Forever Young Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of May You Stay Forever Young 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.

May You Stay Forever Young Spoiler-Free Summary

More About May You Stay Forever Young

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about May You Stay Forever Young: 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 May You Stay Forever Young

Similar Movies to May You Stay Forever Young

Discover movies like May You Stay Forever Young 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.