Year: 2016
Runtime: 94 min
Language: Chinese
Director: Stephen Chow
Facing the destruction of her underwater home, a mystical mermaid embarks on a forbidden romance with a real estate developer. As their love deepens, he must choose between his ambitions and protecting her world from an ancient, looming threat. Time is running out for the mermaid and her people as a sinister force approaches, endangering the ocean's depths and the delicate balance of their kingdom.
Warning: spoilers below!
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Still thinking about how The Mermaid (2016) ended? Here’s a full breakdown of the ending, key final moments, major twists, and the deeper meaning behind the film’s conclusion.
Ariel’s story culminates with her overcoming Ursula’s treachery to be with Prince Eric. After Ursula, disguised as a beautiful woman with Ariel’s voice, tricks Eric into believing she is his savior, Ariel quickly realizes something is wrong when she sees Eric about to marry Ursula. Using her own resourcefulness, she grabs her voice from Ursula’s necklace, regains her ability to sing and communicate, and rushes to stop the wedding. Just as Eric is about to say “I do,” Ariel’s voice is restored, and she sings to him, confirming her identity and her love for him. However, time is running out—she needs to seal her love with a true love’s kiss before sunset, or she’ll be forced back into her mermaid form and Ursula will take control of the sea forever.
As the final seconds tick away, Ariel and Eric nearly kiss, but Ursula intervenes, grabbing Ariel and pulling her into the sea. Ursula amplifies her power, transforming into her monstrous sea witch form, and attempts to dominate both the land and the sea. In the chaos, Ariel fights to save herself and her loved ones, managing to strike Ursula with a ship’s prow, which causes Ursula to fall into the ocean and be defeated. With Ursula gone, Triton’s magic is restored when he is struck by Ursula’s trident, and he comes back to life, realizing how much Ariel means to him.
The story concludes with Ariel becoming human and marrying Eric, symbolizing the union of land and sea, fostering harmony between the two worlds. Triton, witnessing his daughter’s happiness, finally understands that allowing her to follow her dreams and be true to herself is the greatest act of love. The kingdoms of humans and mermaids begin a new era of friendship, and although their worlds have been separated most of the story, by the end they are united in hope for the future.
Ariel’s story reaches its climax when she manages to expose Ursula’s deception just in time to save her love for Eric. After Ursula, disguised as a stunning woman with Ariel’s voice, tries to win Eric over, Ariel quickly realizes something is wrong when she sees him about to marry Ursula. Using her wit, she grabs her voice from Ursula’s necklace, regains her ability to sing and speak, and rushes to stop the wedding. As Eric is about to say “I do,” Ariel’s voice returns, and she sings her true love song, proving her identity and feelings. But she must act fast—if she doesn’t get Eric to kiss her before sunset, she will lose her human form and Ursula will take command of the seas forever.
The clock is almost out as Ariel and Eric are in a boat, and Ursula, in her monstrous sea witch form, appears and pulls Ariel underwater. Ursula’s plan is to enslave both land and sea, but Ariel’s friends—Sebastian, Flounder, and Scuttle—try to help. With Eric’s distraction, Ariel fights back and manages to hit Ursula with a ship’s prow, causing her to tumble into the ocean and die. This defeat restores Triton’s magic, and he is revived, finally understanding how much Ariel means to him and recognizing that love and happiness are worth more than fear and prejudice.
In the end, Triton withdraws his objections, grants Ariel her wish to become human permanently by using his trident, and Ariel marries Eric. Their union symbolizes a new harmony where humans and mermaids can coexist peacefully. Triton, having seen Ariel’s happiness, realizes that respecting her dreams and choices is the ultimate act of love. The story closes with the kingdoms of the land and sea celebrating their newfound friendship, suggesting that their worlds, once separated by mistrust, are now united in hope for a better future.
Ariel’s story reaches its climax when she manages to expose Ursula’s deception just in time to save her love for Eric. After Ursula, disguised as a stunning woman with Ariel’s voice, tries to win Eric over, Ariel quickly realizes something is wrong when she sees him about to marry Ursula. Using her wit, she grabs her voice from Ursula’s necklace, regains her ability to sing and speak, and rushes to stop the wedding. As Eric is about to say “I do,” Ariel’s voice returns, and she sings her true love song, proving her identity and feelings. But she must act fast—if she doesn’t get Eric to kiss her before sunset, she will lose her human form and Ursula will take command of the seas forever.
The clock is almost out as Ariel and Eric are in a boat, and Ursula, in her monstrous sea witch form, appears and pulls Ariel underwater. Ursula’s plan is to enslave both land and sea, but Ariel’s friends—Sebastian, Flounder, and Scuttle—try to help. With Eric’s distraction, Ariel fights back and manages to hit Ursula with a ship’s prow, causing her to tumble into the ocean and die. This defeat restores Triton’s magic, and he is revived, finally understanding how much Ariel means to him and recognizing that love and happiness are worth more than fear and prejudice.
In the end, Triton withdraws his objections, grants Ariel her wish to become human permanently by using his trident, and Ariel marries Eric. Their union symbolizes a new harmony where humans and mermaids can coexist peacefully. Triton, having seen Ariel’s happiness, realizes that respecting her dreams and choices is the ultimate act of love. The story closes with the kingdoms of the land and sea celebrating their newfound friendship, suggesting that their worlds, once separated by mistrust, are now united in hope for a better future.
Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 09:00
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