The Mermaid (2016) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A wealthy developer falls in love with a mermaid and changes his life after confronting the environmental destruction caused by his ambition.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

A Gulf Under Threat

Liu Xuan buys the Green Gulf for reclamation and uses sonar that devastates the mermaid community. The survivors decide that he must be punished.

Key Events

• Green Gulf Purchase — Liu Xuan purchases the wildlife reserve for a land reclamation project supported by Ruolan. Characters: Liu Xuan, Ruolan, Mermaid Shan Location: Green Gulf
• Sonar Drives Sea Life Away — Sonar and pollution kill or sicken many members of the mermaid community. Characters: Liu Xuan, Mermaid Shan Location: Green Gulf
• Shipwreck Refuge — The surviving merpeople shelter in an abandoned shipwreck and plan retaliation. Characters: Mermaid Shan Location: Abandoned shipwreck
• Assassin Sent Ashore — A mermaid disguised as a dancer approaches Liu Xuan and gives him her number. Characters: Mermaid Shan, Liu Xuan Location: Luxury party

An Unplanned Romance

The mermaid approaches Liu Xuan as an assassin, but her attempts fail. A day at the funfair changes their hostility into affection.

Key Events

• Failed Assassination Attempts — The mermaid repeatedly tries to kill Liu Xuan, but every attempt backfires. Characters: Liu Xuan, Mermaid Shan Location: Party venue
• Unexpected Escort — Liu Xuan decides to escort the mermaid home instead of abandoning her. Characters: Liu Xuan, Mermaid Shan Location: City streets
• Funfair Lessons — The mermaid shows Liu Xuan simple amusements and challenges his obsession with money. Characters: Liu Xuan, Mermaid Shan Location: Funfair
• Feelings Develop — Liu Xuan and the mermaid spend the day together and begin falling in love. Characters: Liu Xuan, Mermaid Shan Location: Funfair
• Second Date Proposal — Liu Xuan proposes after admitting that he already believes she is the one for him. Characters: Liu Xuan, Mermaid Shan Location: City outing
• Mission Revealed — The mermaid reveals that she was sent to kill Liu Xuan, while Ruolan interrupts their kiss. Characters: Liu Xuan, Mermaid Shan, Ruolan Location: Outdoor meeting place

Truth Beneath The Waves

The mermaid reveals her mission, and Liu Xuan discovers her aquatic identity. Her people capture him, but she chooses to save him.

Key Events

• Mission Revealed — The mermaid reveals that she was sent to kill Liu Xuan, while Ruolan interrupts their kiss. Characters: Liu Xuan, Mermaid Shan, Ruolan Location: Outdoor meeting place
• Deal Cancelled — Angered by Ruolan's interference, Liu Xuan demands that she cancel their business deal. Characters: Liu Xuan, Ruolan Location: Business office
• Mermaid Identity Discovered — Liu Xuan visits the mermaid and discovers that she and her family are merpeople. Characters: Liu Xuan, Mermaid Shan Location: Mermaid home
• Captured By Merpeople — The merpeople capture Liu Xuan and explain that his development project is killing them. Characters: Liu Xuan, Mermaid Shan Location: Mermaid home
• Escape From Execution — The mermaid helps Liu Xuan escape even though the merpeople intend to kill him. Characters: Liu Xuan, Mermaid Shan Location: Mermaid home

Blood At The Shipwreck

Liu Xuan turns off the sonar, yet the location is exposed to an armed attack. The merpeople suffer heavy losses and the mermaid is shot while escaping.

Key Events

• Sonar Shut Down — Liu Xuan investigates the damage and turns off the sonar before revealing the merpeople's location. Characters: Liu Xuan, Ruolan, Mermaid Shan Location: Development control site
• Attack On Shipwreck — Ruolan's mercenaries attack the merpeople, killing many before the sonar shutdown is noticed. Characters: Ruolan, Mermaid Shan Location: Abandoned shipwreck
• Mermaid Shot — The injured mermaid reaches land but is shot while attempting to escape the attack. Characters: Liu Xuan, Ruolan, Mermaid Shan Location: Coastline
• Jetpack Rescue — Liu Xuan arrives with a jetpack and carries the badly injured mermaid toward the ocean. Characters: Liu Xuan, Ruolan, Mermaid Shan Location: Coastline

A Shared New World

Liu Xuan carries the injured mermaid to safety while the attackers are arrested. Years later, the couple supports environmental protection and reunites with the merpeople.

Key Events

• Jetpack Rescue — Liu Xuan arrives with a jetpack and carries the badly injured mermaid toward the ocean. Characters: Liu Xuan, Ruolan, Mermaid Shan Location: Coastline
• Arrests And Collapse — Police arrest Ruolan and her accomplice while Liu Xuan collapses from his wounds. Characters: Liu Xuan, Ruolan, Mermaid Shan Location: Coastal road
• Environmental Future — Three years later, Liu Xuan supports environmental research and secretly lives with the mermaid. Characters: Liu Xuan, Mermaid Shan Location: Liu Xuan's home and ocean

Story Breakdown

• Green Gulf Development — Liu Xuan's reclamation project threatens the aquatic community living beneath the Green Gulf.
  • Reserve Purchase — Liu Xuan purchases the wildlife reserve for a profitable land development project.
  • Sonar Destruction — Sonar and pollution kill or sicken many merpeople.
• Assassination Mission — The merpeople respond to the environmental threat by sending a mermaid to kill Liu Xuan.
  • Party Encounter — The mermaid disguises herself as a dancer and gives Liu Xuan her telephone number.
  • Failed Attacks — Her assassination attempts repeatedly backfire.
• Unexpected Courtship — Liu Xuan and the mermaid grow close despite the violent purpose of their first meeting.
  • Funfair Day — The mermaid introduces Liu Xuan to simple entertainment and challenges his materialism.
  • Proposal Rejected — The mermaid rejects his proposal and admits that she was sent to kill him.
• Aquatic Revelation — Liu Xuan learns that the woman he loves belongs to the merpeople he has endangered.
  • Hidden Home — Liu Xuan discovers the mermaid's true nature at her home.
  • Captive Developer — The merpeople capture Liu Xuan and explain the consequences of his project.
• Shipwreck Attack — The conflict escalates when the merpeople's refuge is exposed and attacked.
  • Sonar Reversed — Liu Xuan turns off the sonar after investigating its environmental consequences.
  • Mermaid Community Assaulted — Armed attackers kill many merpeople at the abandoned shipwreck.
• Love And Restoration — Liu Xuan risks everything to save the mermaid and later supports a more responsible future.
  • Coastal Rescue — Liu Xuan carries the wounded mermaid toward the ocean while facing gunfire.
  • Environmental Legacy — Years later, Liu Xuan funds environmental research and lives with the mermaid.

Directed by

Stephen Chow

Key Cast

• Lin Yun — Mermaid Shan
• Deng Chao — Liu Xuan
• Zhang Yuqi — Ruolan
• Show Lo — Brother Eight
• Tsui Hark — Uncle Rich