The Myth

The Myth

Year: 2005

Runtime: 118 mins

Language: Chinese

Director: Stanley Tong Gwai-Lai

ComedyAdventureActionDramaFantasy

A thrilling time‑bending adventure follows Jack when a fellow scientist enlists his help to find the tomb of China’s first emperor. As they dig into the ancient mausoleum, the boundary between past and present shatters, forcing Jack to confront the reality behind his extraordinary visions.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – The Myth (2005)

Trace every key event in The Myth (2005) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Meng Yi is tasked to escort Ok-Soo

In the Qin dynasty, General Meng Yi is assigned to escort the Korean princess Ok-Soo back to China to become the Qin emperor's concubine. While protecting her, he is injured, and their bond deepens into a restrained romance. Yet they both remain devoted to their respective duties.

Qin Dynasty Qin Dynasty, China
2

Emperor falls ill and sends Meng Yi to find the elixir

The Qin emperor grows critically ill and orders Meng Yi to find the elixir of life. Meng Yi confesses his love for Ok-Soo before he leaves, and she vows to wait for his return. The mission is desperate and the odds are long.

Qin Dynasty Qin imperial capital
3

Meng Yi ambushed and passes elixir to Nangong Yan

Meng Yi is ambushed and gravely wounded while retrieving the elixir. Before dying, he entrusts the elixir to his deputy Nangong Yan. He dies with the mission unfinished, yet his love and loyalty are clear.

Qin Dynasty Approach to elixir location
4

Nangong Yan delivers elixir; test leads to immortality

Nangong Yan delivers the elixir to the emperor. The prince and the chancellor force Nangong Yan and Ok-Soo to test its authenticity. The elixir grants immortality to them, but they are condemned to imprisonment in the Qin emperor's mausoleum.

Shortly after Meng Yi's death Qin imperial mausoleum
5

Present-day reincarnation: Jack is an archaeologist

Jack is the present-day incarnation of Meng Yi, an archaeologist who often dreams of his past life. He and his friend William embark on a quest to locate a rare material with the potential to create a zero-gravity field. The adventure blends treasure-hunt excitement with visions of a long-forgotten past.

Present day Present-day Earth
6

Expedition to India: Dasar prince floating tomb

Jack and William travel to India to the floating tomb of a Dasar prince in search of a material that can generate a zero-gravity field. As they probe the tomb, William accidentally triggers a collapse and Jack falls into a river. Samantha, a local rescuer, saves him and introduces him to her Kalaripayattu guru uncle, where Jack experiences a vision of Meng Yi duelling the Dasar prince.

Present day Floating Dasar tomb, India
7

Samantha aids Jack and the guru duel

With Samantha's help, Jack recovers and meets her uncle, a Kalaripayattu guru. He participates in a duel with the guru's student, during which he briefly relives Meng Yi's duel and gains insight into his past life.

Present day India
8

Return home with the sword to the National Museum

Having survived the ordeal, Jack and William return home and donate the sword to the National Museum of China. Their discoveries threaten Professor Koo, the syndicate's leader, who reacts with anger and mounting hostility. The notoriety plants seeds for future conflicts.

Present day National Museum of China, Beijing
9

Meteorite fragment explains the zero-gravity field

Through years of research, they determine the material is a fragment of a meteorite that fell during the Qin dynasty. They locate the Qin emperor's mausoleum, hidden behind a waterfall. The tomb's power can transform the mausoleum into a floating palace.

Present day Qin Mausoleum location behind waterfall
10

Inside the mausoleum, Jack meets Ok-Soo and Nangong Yan

Jack enters the floating mausoleum and is mistaken for Meng Yi by Ok-Soo and Nangong Yan. They reveal they have achieved immortality, but are condemned to imprison themselves within the mausoleum alongside the elixir. The unexpected encounter shifts the balance of power as Koo's men close in.

Present day Qin emperor's mausoleum
11

Syndicate clash and elixir heist

Professor Koo and his men rush into the mausoleum to seize the elixir. Aerial combat erupts as both sides clash amid the floating palace. The balance of the field is disrupted, increasing the danger for everyone.

Present day Floating mausoleum
12

William's death and the tomb's collapse

William accidentally breaks the balance by removing a piece of the meteorite, causing the tomb to collapse on itself. He drowns in mercury while escaping. Jack escapes the wreckage, changed forever by the events.

Present day Qin mausoleum
13

Ok-Soo learns Jack is not Meng Yi; Nangong Yan and Koo fall

As Koo closes in on the elixir, Nangong Yan drags him away and they fall to their deaths. Ok-Soo realizes Jack is not Meng Yi and declines to join him. With the elixir gone, her fate in the mausoleum is sealed.

Present day Qin mausoleum
14

Jack publishes The Myth; dedication to William

Back home, Jack publishes a book titled The Myth about his adventures, dedicating it to William. He finds closure in recording the journey and honoring his friend's memory. The tale ends with Jack continuing the legacy of their discoveries.

Present day Home

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 15:14

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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.

Movies like The Myth with Time-Bending Adventure Romance

Fast-paced quests that intertwine love and destiny across different eras.If you liked the blend of ancient quests and modern action in The Myth, explore these movies. This collection features similar stories of love and destiny unfolding across different time periods, combining fast-paced adventure with a bittersweet, romantic core.

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Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread often feature a dual-timeline structure, where events in the past directly influence or mirror the present. The protagonist is typically pulled into an ancient mystery or legend, discovering a personal connection to a historical love story. The plot is driven by a race against time, weaving action and emotion into a tapestry of fate and loss.

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These movies are grouped together because they share a specific mix of fast-paced adventure, a central time-spanning romance, and a bittersweet emotional tone. They create a unique experience where the excitement of a quest is deepened by the melancholy of a love that cannot be fully realized.

Movies like The Myth about Tragic Quests for Immortality

Journeys to conquer death that result in profound, tragic separation.Fans of The Myth's exploration of an ancient emperor's tomb and the price of immortality will find similar themes here. These films feature high-stakes adventures where the pursuit of a legendary power leads to a bittersweet or tragic conclusion, especially for the central romance.

epictragicmelancholicquestdreamlikeanxiousromantic

Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a protagonist on a high-stakes mission tied to an ancient myth or object of power, such as immortality. The pursuit is fraught with danger and moral quandaries. The central conflict often involves a fated love that is sacrificed or lost as a direct consequence of the quest's outcome, leaving the protagonist with a hollow victory.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their focus on the theme of immortality or ultimate power, and the inevitable personal tragedy that accompanies it. They share a high-intensity, adventurous feel with a deeply melancholic and bittersweet core, making the action meaningful and emotionally resonant.

Unlock the Full Story of The Myth

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

The Myth Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Myth, 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 Myth Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Myth

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

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Myth

The Myth Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of The Myth that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

The Myth Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Myth

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

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