Ondine

Year: 2010

Runtime: 111 min

Language: English

Director: Neil Jordan

Budget: $12M

DramaRomance

In a remote Irish fishing village, a solitary fisherman named Syracuse experiences a change of fortune when a beautiful young woman, Ondine, is pulled from his nets. He believes she is a mythical sea creature, and as they fall in love, his luck improves. However, Syracuse grapples with the possibility that Ondine’s existence is tied to a supernatural realm, and he must confront the consequences of his growing attachment to her.

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Ondine (2010) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

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ONDINE is a captivating modern fairy tale that unfolds the touching story of Syracuse, portrayed by Colin Farrell, an Irish fisherman who leads a life filled with routine until a remarkable event changes everything. One day, he hauls in a breathtaking and enigmatic woman, whom he learns to call Ondine, played by Alicja Bachleda. As she reveals her name, it carries the meaning “she came from the sea,” sparking a series of magical encounters.

Syracuse’s daughter, Annie, played by Alison Barry, becomes enchanted by Ondine, swiftly coming to believe that she is a selkie—a mythical creature in Celtic lore that can transform from a seal into a human. This belief adds a layer of mystical hope to their lives, as Annie yearns for a miracle to cure her kidney illness. The legend tells that a selkie can shed her seal coat to live on land but can revert back to her aquatic form whenever she wishes by putting it back on. The notion that Ondine might have left the ocean for seven years ignites Annie’s dreams of recovery.

As Ondine spends time aboard Syracuse’s fishing boat, her presence seems to invoke fortune. She sings a mesmerizing siren song, and as a result, his nets and lobster pots overflow with an astonishing catch, much to Syracuse’s astonishment. Yet, despite this apparent streak of good fortune, Syracuse remains skeptical and wary about trusting such luck—he has endured hard times as a result of his past, having earned the nickname “Circus” due to his former heavy drinking habits.

Intrigued by Ondine’s charm and beauty, Syracuse falls deeply in love with her, yet he grapples with his doubts. Is Ondine truly a selkie? Will she choose to remain with him, and can love truly be trusted? As mysteries envelop their lives, the story intensifies when a shadowy figure emerges in their small town, hinting at a more complex backstory. This menacing man raises suspicions—could he be Ondine’s husband returned to reclaim her back to her true home in the sea?

Crafted by the talented vision of Neil Jordan and beautifully showcased through the lens of cinematographer Christopher Doyle against the enchanting Irish coastline, ONDINE is a poignant exploration of love, hope, and the tenacity to believe in what seems impossible, intertwining the essence of fairy tales with the realities of life.

Last Updated: May 13, 2025 at 20:30

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Magical realism movies like Ondine

Where everyday life brushes against the threads of myth and wonder.If you enjoyed the gentle enchantment of Ondine, you'll like these movies where magical realism meets everyday life. These films use subtle fantasy to explore themes of hope, belief, and emotional healing, offering a similar dreamlike and moving experience.

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Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread typically involve a character encountering a small, inexplicable element of magic, which serves as a catalyst for personal change or healing. The central conflict often revolves around choosing to believe in the fantastic, even when faced with rational explanations, leading to a journey of emotional transformation.

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Movies are grouped here for their shared premise of magic gently interrupting reality, their whimsical yet melancholic tone, and their focus on emotional growth sparked by the impossible. They create a cohesive viewing experience centered on hope and the power of belief.

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Love stories that mend broken characters while acknowledging life's scars.Find movies similar to Ondine that explore romance as a path to redemption. These stories feature flawed, lonely characters who find love and a chance at healing, often set against atmospheric backdrops and culminating in emotionally resonant, bittersweet conclusions.

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The narrative pattern follows a wounded protagonist, often isolated or grappling with addiction or loss, who finds an unexpected connection. This new love offers hope and forces them to confront their past. The journey is less about perfect happiness and more about achieving a fragile, hard-won peace, acknowledging that healing is a process.

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These films share a core theme of love as redemption, a medium emotional weight, and a bittersweet ending feel. They balance romance with heavier character-driven drama, creating a specific mood of hopeful melancholy that feels coherent across titles.

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