The Rocket

The Rocket

Year: 2014

Runtime: 96 min

Language: Lao

Director: Kim Mordaunt

Drama

In a society rapidly changing with technological advancements, a young boy named Ahlo struggles to find his place. Determined to earn the respect of his peers, he embarks on a journey to build a rocket at a lively local festival. His quest is more than just construction; it's a search for purpose and validation in a world that seems to have left tradition behind.

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Timeline & Setting – The Rocket (2014)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Rocket (2014). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Laos mountains, Paradise

Set against the rugged Laos mountains, the story follows Mali and her family as they are forced to relocate because a dam project will flood their valley. They traverse forests and hills with a half-built boat, confronting treacherous terrain and remnants of war. Paradise, an isolated village later encountered, underscores the clash between old traditions and new, electrified life.

🏔️ Laos mountains 🏚️ Village relocation ⚡ Hydroelectricity and power struggles 🧭 Migration and survival

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 19:44

Main Characters – The Rocket (2014)

Meet the key characters of The Rocket (2014), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Mali (Alice Keohavong)

A devoted mother who defies an ancient curse by protecting her surviving twin. Her secret marriage of love and sacrifice drives the family's decisions and sets the emotional core of the story. Mali's quiet courage ends in tragedy, underscoring the costs of choosing life over superstition.

💖 Motherhood 🧭 resilience 🪶 sacrifice

Taitok (Bunsri Yindi)

Mali's mother-in-law, a staunch keeper of tradition who believes in the curse of twins. She pushes for ruthless outcomes to preserve the family's 'honor' and to protect their future in a transforming landscape. Her confrontations reveal the clash between ancestral beliefs and modern necessity.

🧭 tradition 💥 superstition 🗺️ control

Toma (Sumrit Warin)

Ahlo and Mali's father, pragmatic and protective, he wrestles with modernization and his children's fate. He seeks stability by relocating the family and supports Ahlo’s dream in the face of fear and doubt. His decisions push the family toward a precarious but hopeful future.

🛡️ father 🗺️ migration ⚒️ pragmatism

Ahlo (Sitthiphon Disamoe)

The resilient twin at the story's center, deemed cursed yet determined to claim his own destiny. He is inventive, curious, and fearless in pursuing a brighter future for his family. His rocket dream becomes a personal rebellion against fate and a beacon of hope.

🎯 determined 🧪 inventive 🚀 hopeful

Kia (Loungnam Kaosainam)

An orphaned girl living with her uncle, she embodies kindness and resourcefulness. She introduces Ahlo to a more hopeful, lived-in world and shares his longing for a better life. Her presence helps Ahlo navigate fear and find belonging.

🤗 companion 🪴 nurture 🧭 ally

Purple (Suthep Po-ngam)

A former soldier who acts as a guardian and mentor. He guides Ahlo in practical survival and the rocket-building process, sharing hard-earned wisdom from a life touched by conflict. His cynicism softens into a personal bond that fuels hope.

🪖 mentor 🧭 veteran 🧰 resourceful

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 19:44

Major Themes – The Rocket (2014)

Explore the central themes of The Rocket (2014), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🪞 Identity

Ahlo is marked by a village belief that twins bring a blessing and a curse. Mali conceals the truth to protect her living son, shaping Ahlo’s sense of self and belonging. The quest to prove he is not cursed drives him to build a rocket, turning personal identity into a public dream. The film frames personal worth through resilience in the face of superstition.

🤝 Community

Migration, displacement, and the search for a place to belong test family bonds and neighborhood ties. Kia and Purple offer new circles of support, while conflict with tradition forces the group to move again. The rocket festival becomes a communal act of hope that binds diverse characters together. Throughout, real care arises from shared hardship and collaboration.

🚀 Dream and Innovation

Ahlo channels his longing for safety and belonging into a bold project: building a rocket. The plan blends resourcefulness with danger—using unconventional materials and guidance from Purple. The contest offers a chance to secure a new home, turning fantasy into practical hope. In the end, the rocket’s ascent and rain become a symbol of transformation and renewal.

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 19:44

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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.

Personal journey movies like The Rocket

Stories where characters undertake a tangible project to prove their worth.If you liked Ahlo's quest for respect in The Rocket, you'll enjoy these other movies about characters on a personal mission. These stories feature determined protagonists using a tangible goal to find their purpose, similar to the inspiring and hopeful vibe of The Rocket.

determinedhopefulinspiringsearchingpurposefulearnestvalidating

Narrative Summary

These narratives follow a straightforward arc centered on a single character's goal. The conflict is often internal—a struggle with self-doubt—or societal—feeling out of place. The plot progresses steadily as the character works towards their objective, culminating in a resolution that brings personal growth and earned respect.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped together because they share a focus on a relatable, personal struggle for purpose. They blend a hopeful tone with medium emotional weight, creating inspiring stories about ambition and self-discovery that feel authentic and rewarding.

Coming-of-age stories like The Rocket

Young protagonists finding their way as traditions collide with modernity.Discover more movies like The Rocket that explore a young person's journey of self-discovery. These films capture the hopeful yet searching feeling of youth set against a backdrop of change, perfect for fans of inspiring and nostalgic coming-of-age dramas.

coming of agenostalgicsearchinginspiringbelongingyouthfultransitional

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a young protagonist feeling caught between old ways and new possibilities. Their journey is one of self-discovery, often symbolized by a specific goal. The story explores themes of belonging and validation, ultimately concluding with a sense of hopeful integration rather than outright rejection of the past.

Why These Movies?

These movies share a specific mood blend: they are hopeful and inspiring yet carry a touch of nostalgia for a simpler time. The pacing is steady, allowing for character reflection, and the intensity is medium, focusing on the emotional weight of growing up without being overwhelming.

Unlock the Full Story of The Rocket

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

The Rocket Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Rocket, 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 Rocket Summary

The Rocket Timeline

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The Rocket Timeline

More About The Rocket

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More About The Rocket

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