The King's Daughter

The King's Daughter

Year: 2022

Runtime: 90 min

Language: English

Director: Sean McNamara

Echo Score: 41

Budget: $41M

ActionAdventureFantasyRomanceFamily

In 17th century France, King Louis XIV pursues immortality, dispatching a sea captain to retrieve a mermaid believed to grant eternal life. This quest inadvertently sparks a series of events that threaten his reign and force his headstrong daughter, Marie-Josèphe, to confront her father's ambition. As dangerous secrets surface and loyalties are tested, Marie-Josèphe must find her own path amidst a clash of power and ancient legends.

The King's Daughter (2022) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at The King's Daughter (2022) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the gilded courts and restless seas of 17th‑century France, power is measured not only by gold and armies but by the whispered promise of everlasting rule. The film drapes Versailles in a velvety haze of opulence while the Atlantic roils with ancient mysteries, creating a world where royal ambition collides with the untamed forces of myth. The tone balances the sumptuous decadence of Louis XIV’s reign with a lingering, almost palpable sense of the unknown, hinting at currents below the surface of history that could reshape destiny.

At the heart of this restless kingdom sits Louis XIV, a monarch whose legendary desire for control has turned into an almost obsessive quest for immortality. Legends speak of a mermaid whose very breath might grant eternal life, and the king dispatches a seasoned sea captain to retrieve this elusive being. The very act of sending a ship into the unknown sets a ripple of tension through the court, suggesting that the pursuit of such a miracle could unsettle the fragile balance of power and echo far beyond the palace walls. The atmosphere is charged with intrigue, as scholars, courtiers, and sailors alike sense that the line between legend and reality is about to blur.

Against this backdrop steps Marie‑Josèphe, the king’s strong‑willed daughter, whose spirit refuses to be confined by the expectations of royalty. Intelligent, fierce, and unafraid to question her father’s grand designs, she senses that the pursuit of an ancient secret may endanger more than just a throne—it could threaten the very soul of the realm she loves. Her journey promises a compelling clash of duty and desire, hinting at a path where personal conviction may either temper or ignite the storm brewing at the edge of the empire. The film invites the audience to wonder how far a daughter will go to confront a monarch’s ambition, and what hidden currents of myth and power will surface when the sea is called upon to answer a king’s yearning for eternity.

Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 00:23

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.

Hopeful Historical Fantasy Movies like The King's Daughter

Fantasy adventures set in the past, centered on resilient optimism and emotional discovery.Discover movies like The King's Daughter that blend historical settings with fantasy elements. If you enjoyed the story's hopeful tone, steady pace, and themes of self-discovery set against a backdrop of royal intrigue and ancient magic, you'll find similar films here.

hopefuladventurousromanticresilientintrospectivefantasticalhistorical

Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread typically follow a character, often a young person coming of age, who finds themselves at the center of a conflict involving historical power structures and fantastical forces. Their journey is one of personal growth, where resilience and hope are tested but ultimately triumph, leading to a positive resolution that affirms their newfound identity and strength.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped together because they share a unique blend of genre (historical + fantasy), a consistently hopeful and resilient tone, and a focus on character-driven emotional arcs. They offer a sense of wonder and adventure without sacrificing emotional depth, resulting in a satisfying and uplifting experience.

Movies about Found Family and Sacrifice like The King's Daughter

Stories where personal growth is forged through sacrifice and the bonds of a new family.Explore films similar to The King's Daughter that focus on themes of self-sacrifice, healing, and building a found family. If you were moved by the protagonist's journey of putting others first and finding a new place to belong, this collection of heartfelt stories is for you.

hopefulmelancholicresilientintrospectiveheartfeltemotionalcoming of age

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a protagonist facing a pivotal choice that requires putting the needs of others before their own. This act of sacrifice, while difficult, becomes the catalyst for profound personal change. It often leads them away from their old life and towards a new, forged family unit—be it friends, allies, or unexpected companions—who help them heal and fully come into their own.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread share a powerful emotional core built around the themes of sacrifice and chosen kinship. They balance moments of melancholy and challenge with an ultimately hopeful arc, focusing on how vulnerability and selflessness can lead to the deepest forms of connection and personal fulfillment.

Unlock the Full Story of The King's Daughter

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

The King's Daughter Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The King's Daughter, 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.

The King's Daughter Summary

The King's Daughter Timeline

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

The King's Daughter Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in The King's Daughter

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

Characters, Settings & Themes in The King's Daughter

More About The King's Daughter

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The King's Daughter: 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 The King's Daughter

Similar Movies to The King's Daughter

Discover movies like The King's Daughter 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.