Luca

As the moon casts its silvery glow over the Italian coastline, two fishermen venture out into the dark waters, their record player spinning tales of yesteryear. But little do they know, their nocturnal excursion is about to take an otherworldly turn. A sea monster, lurking beneath the surface, snatches the record player and drags it down with him, only to become entangled in the fishermen's net. With a mighty leap, the creature breaks free, vanishing into the depths, leaving the men bewildered.

In a sunken city, Luca Paguro, a young sea monster, resides with his parents, Daniela (Maya Rudolph) and Lorenzo (Jim Gaffigan), as well as his wise and adventurous Grandma (Sandy Martin). Luca's daily routine involves herding schools of fish that behave like docile sheep, while also evading the prying eyes of a surface-dwelling boat. Despite his parents' warnings to avoid the world above, Luca has always been drawn to its allure, and even his grandmother encourages his curiosity.

One fateful evening, Luca stumbles upon the record player, now a relic from the human world. As he approaches it, a figure in a diving suit appears, sending Luca scurrying for cover in a nearby cave. The diver removes their helmet, revealing none other than Alberto Scorfano (Jack Dylan Grazer), a fellow sea monster around Luca's age. Alberto's fascination with the surface world is matched only by his love of human trinkets, which he has collected in his hidden lair.

When Luca is suddenly pulled to the surface and transformed into a human boy, he is initially stunned but soon finds himself exploring this new world alongside Alberto. The duo becomes fast friends as they bond over their shared fascination with Vespa motorbikes and their desire to experience the thrill of life on two wheels. As the hours tick by, Luca helps Alberto build a makeshift Vespa, an endeavor that ultimately requires him to bid his new friend farewell and return to his underwater home.

As the days unfold, Luca's nocturnal escapades with Alberto become increasingly perilous, prompting his parents to grow suspicious of his late returns and lack of attention to their prized sheep fish. Meanwhile, the duo's attempts at crafting a sturdy Vespa are met with repeated failures, until they finally succeed in creating a durable ride. However, Luca's lingering fears and hesitations prompt Alberto to reveal that he has a unique mental companion - a "Bruno" that only he can hear. The wise words of Bruno are for Luca to overcome his trepidation by boldly proclaiming "Silenzio Bruno!" Alas, when Luca returns home, his parents reveal they are aware of his surface excursions and have hatched a plan to send him off with his eccentric Uncle Ugo (Sacha Baron Cohen) for the remainder of the summer.

Desperate to escape this fate, Luca confides in Alberto about their predicament. The resourceful friend proposes that they retreat to the nearby town of Portorosso, where they can acquire their own Vespa and gain independence. With their human forms restored, the boys arrive in Portorosso, where they're struck by the vibrant atmosphere of the bustling plaza. Luca's initial foray into social interaction is met with a kick of a ball that inadvertently hits Ercole Visconti (Saverio Raimondo), a local bully accompanied by his cohorts Ciccio and Guido (Peter Sohn and Lorenzo Crisci). As Ercole sets out to torment Luca, the pair are rescued by Giulia Marcovaldo (Emma Berman), a spirited young girl who despises Ercole for his relentless taunting.

Giulia shares her distaste for Ercole, revealing that he constantly mocks her for losing the prestigious Portorosso Cup triathlon the previous year due to illness. Inspired by the prospect of a grand prize, Luca convinces Alberto that they can use the money to acquire their desired Vespa and pursue their dreams. Giulia agrees to let them join forces, proposing they form a team to compete in the same triathlon she's determined to win this time around. As they're welcomed into her home by her father Massimo (Marco Barricelli), a one-armed sea monster hunter with a penchant for pasta, Luca and Alberto must carefully conceal their true natures from prying eyes. The only exception is Machiavelli, Giulia's cantankerous cat, who takes an instant dislike to the boys, consistently targeting Luca with aggressive attacks.

The sun rises over the tranquil waters, casting a golden glow on Luca (actor's name), Alberto (actor's name), and Massimo as they embark on a fishing excursion, their underwater forms remaining hidden from prying eyes. Following this serene interlude, the trio accompanies Giulia to register for the coveted race, only to be met with Ercole's condescending presence. Luca's clever comparison of Ercole to a catfish, a bottom-feeder with whiskers, inadvertently ignites Ercole's pride and prompts him to grant the boys entry into the competition solely to humiliate them when he ultimately emerges victorious. As the kids begin training for the grueling three-part race, Giulia takes charge of the swimming segment, Alberto devours endless bowls of pasta in preparation, while Luca hones his bike-riding skills.

Meanwhile, Daniela and Lorenzo, Luca's parents, sense their son's absence and take on human forms to search for him. Unfamiliar with his terrestrial appearance, they resort to a creative approach, having the plaza kids jump into the fountain to determine which of them is not Luca. As night descends, Luca confides in Giulia about feeling like an outsider himself, empathizing with her struggles to fit in. She shares her passion for stargazing, revealing that Alberto previously described the celestial bodies as fish swimming across the sky. This piques Luca's interest, and Giulia leads him to a neighbor's telescope to behold the stars up close. However, Alberto becomes increasingly possessive of Luca's attention, sensing his friend's growing affinity for Giulia.

Giulia regales Luca with tales of her school in Genova, where she spends time with her mother, piquing his curiosity. However, Alberto cautions Luca that other children would not accept them due to their true nature. The boys' peace is shattered when they are discovered by Ercole and his minions, who have become suspicious of their activities. Ercole's threats escalate, culminating in a physical confrontation with Alberto before issuing an ultimatum: the boys must leave town forthwith.

As tensions between the friends reach a boiling point, Alberto takes matters into his own hands by whisking Luca away from Giulia's watchful eye, leading to a reckless bike ride that careens out of control through Portorosso's streets. The duo's exuberance eventually gets the better of them, and they find themselves hurtling off a seaside ledge and splashing into the ocean. As the boys' argumentative tones give way to a chorus of shouting, Giulia appears on the scene, her expression a mix of relief and concern as she finds the pair transformed back into their human forms.

In the aftermath of this impromptu adventure, Luca confides in Giulia about his desire to attend school in Genova with her, prompting Alberto to reveal his true nature to his friend. However, their heart-to-heart is short-lived, as Ercole and his cohorts suddenly appear on the scene, raining harpoons down upon Alberto's unsuspecting form. In a flash of quick thinking, Luca conceals his own identity beneath a cloak of secrecy, dismissing Alberto as nothing more than a sea monster.

With Giulia none the wiser to the boys' true forms, Luca returns to her doorstep, but his reticence only serves to heighten her suspicion and frustration. A sudden dousing with water reveals Luca's aquatic nature, prompting Giulia's concern for his well-being in a town where fish-hunting is a way of life. As the situation becomes increasingly precarious, Luca sets off to track down Alberto at his secluded hideout.

There, the latter opens up about his troubled past, revealing that he was abandoned by his father and has been fending for himself ever since. Despite Alberto's pleas for him to leave, Luca remains resolute in his determination to participate in the impending bike race, driven by a desire to protect their fragile friendship from the dangers that lurk beneath the surface of Portorosso's bustling streets.

As the sun rises over Portorosso, signaling the commencement of the highly anticipated Portorosso Cup, Giulia takes a bold step by entering the competition solo. However, her determination is matched only by that of Luca, who makes a surprise appearance alongside her, both choosing to forgo the comfort of their usual teamwork in favor of going it alone. As the event unfolds, the dynamic duo is joined by their friends Ercole and Ciccio, with the latter's attempt to gain an edge in the swimming segment met with hilarious consequences, courtesy of a well-timed olive oil drizzle that inadvertently attracts a school of fish, leaving Ciccio in a precarious predicament. Meanwhile, Luca dons Alberto's diving suit for the aquatic leg, while Ercole resorts to unconventional means to spur Guido on during the pasta-eating competition. As the trio navigates the increasingly treacherous terrain, Giulia and Luca gain momentum, their bond and competitive spirits propelling them forward. The atmosphere shifts dramatically as the bike portion commences, with rain clouds gathering above, casting a somber tone over proceedings.

In this heightened state of tension, Luca's hesitation to reveal his true nature threatens to compromise his chances of crossing the finish line, but Alberto's timely arrival with an umbrella proves to be the turning point. Ercole's ill-advised attempt to thwart the boys' progress results in a spectacular revelation - his own sea monster form - which sends shockwaves through the crowd. Undeterred, Luca seizes the opportunity to unveil his own true identity, sacrificing his anonymity to safeguard his friend Alberto.

As the dust settles, Giulia takes a heroic tumble down the hill, her determination to protect her friends culminating in a dramatic display of bravery. The boys cross the finish line, only to return to Giulia's side, where they are met with a hero's welcome from Massimo, who declares them the winners due to their sheer tenacity and determination. Ercole's protests fall on deaf ears as Ciccio and Guido take matters into their own hands, dispatching him to an unexpected aquatic baptism.

The festivities that follow unfold at Giulia's residence, where the triumphant trio is joined by Daniela, Lorenzo, and Grandma, who proudly reveal their own sea monster forms, embracing Luca in a heartwarming display of acceptance. As the evening wears on, the elderly ladies, whose enigmatic presence has been felt throughout the film, finally shed their human disguises, confirming that even the most unexpected among them harbor secrets beneath the surface.

As the night draws to a close, Giulia and her friends reflect on the day's events, with Daniela and Lorenzo pondering whether they have been too harsh in their treatment of Luca's curiosity. Grandma offers a sagely perspective, cautioning that while not everyone will readily accept Luca's unique nature, his intelligence and instinctive ability to discern trustworthy individuals will serve him well in navigating the complexities of the world beyond Portorosso.

As the day of departure approaches, Luca and Alberto make their way to the train station, where the air is heavy with the weight of goodbyes. Giulia's impending departure to Genova hangs like a palpable mist, casting a sentimental haze over the pair. It is here that Alberto drops a bombshell, revealing that he has sold his beloved Vespa in order to purchase a train ticket for Luca, thereby enabling him to join Giulia at school. The revelation sparks a mix of emotions within Luca, who is torn between his own desires and his concern for his friend.

Meanwhile, Daniela and Lorenzo emerge from the shadows, their faces etched with determination. They have been in talks with Giulia's parents, and the outcome is nothing short of miraculous: Luca will be able to stay with Giulia and her mother, forging a new path forward. However, Alberto has other plans, opting to remain behind and assist Massimo with his work in exchange for a roof over his head. The two friends share a heartfelt goodbye, their emotions hanging precariously in the balance.

As Luca stands outside the train, his sea monster form a testament to the extraordinary circumstances that surround him, he takes his leave of his family, the sounds of the station and the whispers of good fortune swirling around him like a maelstrom. The credits that follow are a kaleidoscope of color and joy, showcasing the adventures of Luca and Giulia as they navigate their new life in Genova, all while staying connected with Alberto, Massimo, and those back home.

And then, like a gentle whisper from beyond the veil, the credits conclude with a seemingly innocuous sequence featuring Uncle Ugo, his words weaving a tapestry of nonsensical wisdom to an attentive flock of sheep fish. The image lingers, a wistful reminder that even in the most mundane moments, there lies hidden depth and beauty waiting to be unearthed.