The Mermaid (2016) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Elizabeth explains that her legs appear during low tide because she is bound to the ocean's rhythms. As a mermaid, her transformation between aquatic and terrestrial forms is tied to the tidal cycle, allowing her to move on land when the tide is low but requiring her to return to water when the tide rises. This condition is part of her magical nature and explains how she can interact with humans on land.

• mermaid legs
• low tide
• transformation
• magical ability

The 'heart of a mermaid' refers to a rare quality possessed by Elle. Locke reveals this when he kidnaps her, explaining that she has this unique trait which makes her valuable to him. This explains why he specifically targeted Elle and why her wellbeing matters to the mermaid's world. The concept suggests Elle has mermaid ancestry or mystical connections.

• heart of a mermaid
• Elle
• Locke
• mermaid heritage
• rare ability

Locke stole Elizabeth's soul and imprisoned it in a vial, which gives him complete control over her. This magical theft is what keeps Elizabeth bound to the circus tank against her will. Without her soul, she cannot return to the ocean or exercise her full mermaid powers. Cam discovers this when he overhears Locke discussing this dark secret with his assistant Sid.

• Elizabeth soul
• Locke
• captivity
• vial
• magical control

Elizabeth heals Elle because Elle possesses the 'heart of a mermaid,' meaning she shares a mystical connection with mermaid kind. After defeating Locke and reclaiming her soul, Elizabeth uses her powers to cure Elle's illness. She also reveals that swimming in the ocean will always help Elle feel better whenever she is unwell, confirming Elle's secret mermaid lineage.

• Elizabeth heals Elle
• ocean healing
• mermaid connection
• cure

Locke captures mermaids to exploit their magical properties for profit. He uses the mermaid in his circus act and claims her 'healing water' can cure illnesses, though the interviews Cam conducts reveal none of the customers actually experienced relief. His ultimate goal appears to be harvesting valuable mermaid traits like the 'heart of a mermaid' for monetary gain.

• Locke motivation
• capture mermaid
• exploitation
• circus scam

Eloise is the elderly woman telling the story to her granddaughters. In the film's twist ending, she reveals she is actually Elle all along, the same girl from the story. This connects the frame narrative to the main adventure, showing that Elle grew up and later shared her magical childhood experience with the next generation. Her coughing fit mirrors her childhood illness, reinforcing her identity.

• Eloise identity
• Elle reveal
• twist ending
• frame story

Cam forms an alliance with Thora, a fortune teller with magical powers, and Ulysses, a strongman. Together, they devise a rescue plan to free Elizabeth from her glass tank and escape Locke's control. The group battles Locke and Sid as they make their way toward the ocean, ultimately defeating Locke and reclaiming Elizabeth's soul from his vial.

• Cam rescue
• Elizabeth escape
• Thora
• Ulysses
• battle Locke

Thora is a fortune teller with genuine magical abilities who helps Cam and Elle on their quest. She was previously victimized by Locke's deception, being brought to his circus through trickery. Her magical powers prove essential in the rescue mission, providing assistance against Locke's supernatural capabilities during the group's escape.

• Thora powers
• fortune teller
• magic
• circus victims

Locke is defeated in the final confrontation near the ocean. Cam, Thora, and Ulysses fight against him and his assistant Sid. After Locke is vanquished, Elizabeth regains her freedom and her soul is returned to her. The group successfully escapes, and Elizabeth is finally able to return to the ocean.

• Locke defeated
• final battle
• villain fate
• ocean escape

After the events conclude, Cam writes a detailed exposé about Locke's scams and the truth behind Elizabeth's story. However, he harbors doubts about whether anyone will believe such a fantastical tale, leaving the success of his journalistic effort ambiguous. This reflects the bittersweet nature of the ending where magic exists but may not be accepted by the mainstream world.

• Cam exposé
• publish story
• journalist
• doubt
• ending

The healing water from Elizabeth does have genuine magical properties, as evidenced by Elizabeth actually healing Elle at the end. However, Locke's version sold at the circus appears to be fraudulent, Cam interviews multiple people who used Locke's water and none experienced any cure, suggesting Locke was scamming people with false claims while keeping the real mermaid hidden.

• healing water
• scam
• Locke's con
• magical powers

Cam's primary motivation stems from his love for his niece Elle and his desperation to find a cure for her mysterious illness. When he discovers Elizabeth is a real mermaid with healing abilities, he has both personal reason to help and professional curiosity. Additionally, learning about Elizabeth's plight, having her soul stolen and being held captive, motivates him to fight against Locke's cruelty.

• Cam motivation
• rescue Elizabeth
• help Elle
• compassionate