Patema Inverted

Patema Inverted

Year: 2014

Runtime: 98 min

Language: Japanese

Director: Yasuhiro Yoshiura

AdventureSci-FiDramaFantasyAnimation

In a world where gravity functions differently for two distinct populations, Princess Patema lives in an underground society where down is up. When she accidentally crosses into a surface world where up is down, she encounters Age, a student questioning the established order. Together, they must understand the nature of their opposing gravitational forces, the history of their separation, and confront those who benefit from maintaining the divide between their worlds, all while navigating a landscape that defies conventional physics.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Patema Inverted 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!

Patema Inverted (2014) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Patema Inverted (2014), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

In the year 2067, a scientific experiment aimed at harnessing energy from Earth’s gravity goes horribly wrong, leading to a catastrophic reversal of gravity, causing most of humanity and objects to drift away from the planet.

Fast forward to a post-apocalyptic future, where Patema, a courageous young girl, resides in an underground community that instills strict regulations to protect its inhabitants from the surrounding “danger zones.” This tightly controlled society is forever altered when Patema, emboldened by the mysterious disappearance of her friend Lagos, ventures into the dark tunnels. During her exploration, she encounters a surprising figure walking along the ceiling, which sends her tumbling down into the abyss below.

Patema’s fall lands her outside the confines of her underground home, in a peculiar region known as Aiga. Here, she meets Eiji, another teenager whose gravity is oriented differently than her own. After safely bringing Patema to the ground, Eiji introduces her to his world, where he recounts the tale of his father, who once fell from a flying craft during a demonstration—an act that has been construed by the government as part of the phenomenon of the “Inverts.”

However, their newfound connection is soon jeopardized when Aiga’s tyrannical leader, Izamura, learns of Patema’s presence and dispatches his forces to capture her. Eiji realizes that holding onto Patema allows him to defy gravity, slowing his descent and helping them dodge Izamura’s troops. Despite their best efforts, they are ultimately captured, and Eiji is reprimanded for his actions. Meanwhile, Izamura imprisons Patema at the Control Tower, threatening to release her into the open sky, and reveals that he has captured Lagos, who has sadly passed away.

In a twist of fate, Eiji returns to the fence where he unexpectedly finds Porta, one of Patema’s friends, who drags him reluctantly into the underground society. Together with the community’s Elder, they formulate a daring plan to rescue Patema. Teaming up with Porta, Eiji uses their contrasting weights to infiltrate the tower through its abandoned basement. Eiji bravely ascends alone to the top floor and liberates Patema, but their freedom is short-lived as Izamura and his men soon chase them to the rooftop. In a desperate moment, Patema leaps from Izamura’s grasp to rescue Eiji, and together they float skyward, defying the odds.

As they ascend, the unconscious duo awakens to witness a startling revelation: the so-called “sky” is merely a mechanical ceiling that manufactures Aiga’s artificial atmosphere and projects faux stars. Here, they stumble upon Eiji’s father’s flying machine and discover notes revealing that both he and Lagos had a hand in its creation. Amidst their thrilling adventure, Eiji and Patema share a heartfelt declaration of love, freeing the inverted weights keeping the craft grounded, allowing it to ascend back towards Aiga.

Meanwhile, Izamura’s right-hand man, Jaku, grows suspicious of his leader’s motives. He uncovers the shocking truth that Izamura orchestrated the death of Eiji’s father and imprisoned Lagos, seeking to maintain control and hide the reality of their small world. As Izamura confronts Jaku, they observe the return of the flying machine, prompting him to order the capture of Eiji and Patema. Outside, Eiji’s classmates, including Kaho, notice the craft and question the legitimacy of his supposed “accident.”

In a dramatic turn of events, Eiji and Patema leap from the craft as it descends, plummeting into the very shaft leading back to Patema’s underground society. The jubilant Inverts celebrate their return, but their joy is short-lived as Izamura and Jaku pursue them. A fierce confrontation ensues, resulting in Eiji getting injured while trying to shield Patema. As the battle intensifies, Porta heroically knocks the gun away from Izamura, who resorts to a knife to eliminate Patema. Yet, just as he strikes, the floor beneath them collapses, revealing the desolate surface of the Earth, scattered with the remnants of civilization and an open sky above, exposing Aiga’s shocking truth: they are the last survivors of a failed experiment living underground.

As the chaos unfolds, Izamura desperately clings to Patema but loses his grip when the damaged craft collides with him, sending him high into the atmosphere. In a heroic act, Eiji leaps to catch Patema, and with the help of Jaku and the Elder, they secure their survival. Eiji eventually awakens to the haunting beauty of the surface world, while the Elder reads through Lagos’s notes, enlightening them about their shared history. With the truth unveiled, Eiji, Porta, and Jaku agree to unite their worlds, while Patema and Eiji embrace one another, ready to face the dawn of a new era.

Last Updated: November 09, 2024 at 11:24

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.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies about forbidden friendships like Patema Inverted

Teens from opposing societies unite to heal a broken world and challenge rigid authority.If you enjoyed the unifying friendship between Patema and Age, you'll like these movies. This thread collects sci-fi and adventure stories where star-crossed characters from different worlds bridge a deep divide, challenging authority to uncover a hopeful truth.

unifyingdefiantheartfeltadventuroussuspensefulthrilling

Narrative Summary

The narrative typically begins with isolation and ignorance, then pivots on a chance encounter that defies societal norms. The core journey involves the characters learning to trust each other, uncovering a shared history or common enemy, and ultimately working together to expose lies and forge a new, integrated future.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread share a core emotional arc of connection triumphing over division. They blend the thrill of discovery with the heartfelt optimism of reconciliation, often set against a backdrop of high-stakes adventure and a fast-paced plot driven by escape and revelation.

Thrilling chases in sci-fi worlds like Patema Inverted

Breakneck escapes and suspenseful pursuits through uniquely alien or inverted landscapes.Fans of the disorienting gravity chases in Patema Inverted will enjoy these movies. This list features similar sci-fi and adventure films with fast-paced, suspenseful pursuits through uniquely designed worlds that defy conventional physics and create a thrilling, high-intensity experience.

thrillingdisorientingsuspensefuladventurousdefiantfast-paced

Narrative Summary

The plot is propelled by a series of escapes and pursuits, with little downtime. The unique rules of the world—like inverted gravity or other physical anomalies—are not just backdrop but are integral to the action sequences, forcing characters to think and move in unconventional ways to survive.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped by their shared emphasis on visceral, disorienting action and a high-intensity pace. The experience is defined by the thrill of the chase and the constant suspense of navigating a dangerous, rule-bending environment, balanced by an ultimately hopeful outcome.

Unlock the Full Story of Patema Inverted

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

Patema Inverted Timeline

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

Patema Inverted Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Patema Inverted

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

Characters, Settings & Themes in Patema Inverted

Patema Inverted Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Patema Inverted 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.

Patema Inverted Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Patema Inverted

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Patema Inverted: 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 Patema Inverted