The Great Buddha+

Year: 2018

Runtime: 102 min

Language: Chinese

Drama

Two men, known as Pickle and Belly Bottom, find comfort in a simple routine of guarding a television at night and sharing late-night snacks. When their television set malfunctions, they are compelled to examine the quiet desperation of their lives. This unexpected disruption leads them on a journey of self-discovery and forces them to confront the meaning of their existence, ultimately changing their perspectives forever.

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The Great Buddha+ (2018) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of The Great Buddha+ (2018), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

Kevin, also known as Huang-Qiwen, is a prominent artist and philanthropist who owns a factory producing exquisite Buddha statues in the serene countryside of Taiwan. Despite his fame, Kevin’s life is riddled with wantonness as he engages in corrupt practices, bribing numerous officials to secure lucrative contracts. The factory is currently focused on completing a magnificent Buddha statue for a significant upcoming ceremony. The statue is nearly finished, with only the head and body awaiting soldering.

Working alongside him is Pickle, portrayed by Cres Chuang, a diligent security guard at the factory, and his sole companion, Belly Button, played by Bamboo Chu-Sheng Chen, who struggles to make ends meet scavenging for scraps. One fateful day, curiosity leads Belly Button to sneak into Pickle’s security room, where they both the chance to glimpse the lavish life of rich people through Kevin’s recordings. However, they are unprepared for the shocking discovery they make: Kevin has brutally killed his mistress and concealed her body within the Buddha statue.

As the investigation begins, Kevin becomes a prime suspect and is summoned to the police department. Unfortunately for justice, Kevin uses his influence to bribe the local prosecutor, who swiftly halts the inquiry, allowing Kevin to remain at large. With the dark knowledge weighing heavily on them, Belly Button and Pickle live in constant fear, acutely aware that their lives could be in jeopardy. Kevin, astutely observing the pair’s growing anxiety, decides to take drastic measures to safeguard his reputation.

Tragically, Belly Button is soon found dead in a supposed drunk driving accident, though those who knew him were aware he was not a drinker. The climax unfolds during the ceremony, where the Buddha statue, now complete, is prominently displayed before a vast audience of monks and devotees. Alienating applause fills the air until an unsettling knocking emanates from within the statue, leaving everyone in a state of stunned silence and anticipation…

Last Updated: November 15, 2024 at 20:31

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The narrative typically begins with a mundane life disrupted by an accidental discovery of a crime, often committed by someone in power. The protagonists, ill-equipped to handle the situation, are consumed by paranoia and fear as they grapple with the moral dilemma of what to do. The story unfolds as a steady, tense build-up towards an inevitable, often tragic, climax where their powerlessness is starkly revealed.

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Great Buddha+

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The Great Buddha+ Spoiler-Free Summary

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