Directed by
Chris Appelhans
Made by
Columbia Pictures
Din Song is a hardworking college student living in Shanghai, who harbors a deep longing to reconnect with his childhood friend, Li Na. She moved away ten years ago with her father, Mr. Wang, and now enjoys a life of luxury. One day, an old man gifts Din a mysterious teapot, which releases a wish dragon named Long. Long reveals to Din that he will grant him three wishes, making Din the tenth and final master he has served. In return, fulfilling Din’s wishes will free Long from his servitude, allowing him to enter the Spirit world.
However, Din’s newfound hope quickly turns tense when he finds himself pursued by a trio of goons, led by Pockets, who are sent by Mr. Wang to retrieve the teapot in an attempt to salvage his failing business. To escape, Din uses his first wish to combat the goons effectively.
The following day, Din and Long show up at Li Na’s birthday celebration. Din wishes to transform into a wealthy princeling for just one day, hoping to catch Li Na’s attention and revive their friendship. Yet, Li Na is disheartened upon discovering her father’s absence from the celebration. As “Dan,” Din comforts her, and they are invited by Mr. Wang via video call to share a meal together. Long cautions Din that the moment Li Na learns of his true identity and financial status, she would likely abandon him.
During their date, Din seeks Long’s guidance on behaving according to his new persona but inadvertently hurts Li Na’s feelings. When the goons start pursuing Din again, they flee back to Din’s old neighborhood, where he reveals his true self to Li Na. They reminisce about their shared childhood adventures, but Li Na ultimately withdraws, insisting she has obligations to fulfill, which leaves Din heartbroken.
In a fit of anger, later that night, Din demands Long make him wealthy, yearning for respect and validation. Long discloses his own tragic past; he was a powerful lord, punished by the gods for his selfishness with a fate of becoming a wish dragon to learn an important life lesson.
Meanwhile, Pockets manages to double-cross Mr. Wang, seizing the teapot for himself and wishing for everything he touches to turn to gold. During this chaos, he mortally wounds Mr. Wang in front of Li Na and engages in a confrontation with Din. On Long’s back, Din faces off against Pockets. In a climactic moment, Long willingly puts himself in harm’s way to save Din, turning Pockets into a gold statue. The ensuing struggle results in both Pockets shattering upon impact with the ground and Long being swept away by the river.
As Long finds himself at the gate to the Spirit world, he is tempted to enter but chooses instead to plead with the guardian to return to Din for his final wish. The guardian agrees, provided Din uses his last wish to heal Mr. Wang. Upon fulfilling this wish, Long must depart.
In the wake of these events, Mr. Wang opens a restaurant that showcases Din’s mother’s culinary expertise, with both Din and Li Na actively contributing. One day, Din unearths another teapot resembling the one Long inhabited and sets him free once more. Long informs Din that his return to Earth comes with the obligation of serving ten additional masters before truly being free. After a heartfelt farewell, Din watches as Long disappears, leaving the teapot with the elderly guardian from the beginning, who is revealed to be the gatekeeper to the Spirit world.
Din's Longing
Din Song, a diligent college student in Shanghai, deeply misses his childhood friend, Li Na, who moved away ten years ago. He reflects on their memories and hopes to reconnect with her one day.
The Mysterious Gift
An old man gifts Din a peculiar teapot, which turns out to house a wish dragon named Long. Long informs Din that he can grant him three wishes, if Din agrees to help him break free from his servitude.
The Goons Appear
Din's hopes for a new life are interrupted when a trio of goons, led by Pockets, appear and demand the teapot back. They are sent by Mr. Wang, Li Na's father, who is seeking to salvage his failing business.
First Wish for Safety
To protect himself from the relentless goons, Din uses his first wish. The wish enables him to escape and fend off his attackers, showcasing the teapot's power but also drawing more attention to his situation.
Li Na's Birthday Celebration
Din and Long attend Li Na's birthday celebration, where Din wishes to appear as a wealthy princeling for the day. However, he soon realizes that Li Na is saddened by her father's absence, complicating his plan to rekindle their friendship.
Moment of Connection
Disguised as ‘Dan,’ Din comforts Li Na during the birthday meal. They share a moment over a video call with Mr. Wang, but Long warns Din that revealing his true identity may end in heartbreak.
Tensions Rise
As their date progresses, Din struggles with the persona he created, which inadvertently causes Li Na distress. When the goons reappear, they rush back to Din's old neighborhood, where Din reveals his true self.
Heartbreak and Reflections
Din and Li Na reminisce about their childhood but ultimately part ways when Li Na expresses her responsibilities. Heartbroken, Din realizes that despite their past connection, reality has shifted their worlds apart.
A Demand for Wealth
In his anger, Din wishes to Long for immense wealth to earn respect and validation. Long shares his own tragic backstory, hinting at the importance of humility and cautioning Din against selfish desires.
Betrayal and Chaos
Pockets betrays Mr. Wang, seizing the teapot and making a wish that creates chaos. In the aftermath, he fatally injures Mr. Wang, leading to a confrontation with Din.
The Climactic Battle
In a climactic face-off, Din, riding on Long, confronts Pockets. Long heroically sacrifices himself to save Din, and in the ensuing chaos, Pockets is turned to gold, leading to his demise.
Long’s Departure
As Long reaches the gate of the Spirit world, he faces a choice: to enter or to return for Din's final wish. He chooses to return, showing loyalty and courage despite his fate.
Final Wish
Upon Long's return, the guardian reminds Din that he must use his last wish wisely. Din wishes to heal Mr. Wang, fulfilling their friendship's potential and showcasing growth.
New Beginnings
With Mr. Wang recovering, he opens a restaurant that features Din's mother's recipes, allowing Din and Li Na to work together. This marks the beginning of a new chapter for both of them.
Rediscovery of the Teapot
While exploring, Din discovers another teapot similar to the one Long inhabited. This time, Long reveals he must serve ten more masters before he can finally be free, leaving Din with a mix of hope and responsibility.
Din Song (Constance Wu)
Din is a determined college student with a deep longing for connection and belonging. His character embodies resilience as he navigates the complexities of friendship and ambition, often driven by a desire for recognition. Throughout his journey, Din learns valuable lessons about honesty, self-worth, and the essence of true friendship.
Li Na (Natasha Liu Bordizzo)
Li Na is a wealthy yet lonely young woman who grapples with her father's expectations and her own desires. She embodies strength and vulnerability as she navigates the pressures of her affluent lifestyle. Her relationship with Din highlights her longing for genuine connection amidst a world of superficiality.
Long (John Cho)
Long is the wish dragon, a powerful figure who has been bound by the consequences of his past actions. He serves as a guide and mentor for Din, teaching him the importance of self-discovery and making wise choices. Long's character evolves from a magical entity to a pivotal source of wisdom and emotion.
Pockets (Aaron Yoo)
Pockets is portrayed as a cunning antagonist who represents greed and ambition. His actions and decisions contrast sharply with Din's journey, highlighting the darker aspects of desire and the consequences of selfishness. His character serves as a foil to Din, emphasizing the themes of choice and integrity.
Time period
The time period of the movie is contemporary, reflecting modern societal dynamics and the clash of traditional values with the pressures of modern life. It illustrates the challenges faced by young adults in a fast-paced urban environment while navigating personal relationships.
Location
Shanghai
Shanghai is a bustling metropolis known for its modern skyline, rich history, and cultural diversity. It is celebrated for its dynamic culinary scene, offering a fusion of traditional Chinese cuisine and modern gastronomy. The city has rapidly developed into a global financial hub, making it a symbol of progress and innovation.
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Dreams
The theme of dreams plays a significant role in 'Wish Dragon' as Din yearns for his childhood friendship and a life beyond his current struggles. His encounter with Long, the wish dragon, symbolizes the pursuit of one's dreams and the lengths one will go to achieve them. Ultimately, dreams are portrayed not just as desires, but as pathways to personal growth and self-discovery.
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Friendship
Friendship is at the heart of Din's journey as he attempts to reconnect with Li Na. Their relationship serves as a reminder of childhood innocence and the significance of genuine connections. As they navigate misunderstandings and societal pressures, the film explores the complexities of friendship and the importance of being true to oneself.
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Choices
The theme of choices is prevalent throughout the film, as each character must confront the consequences of their decisions. Din's wishes bring forth both opportunities and dilemmas, highlighting how the choices we make shape our lives and relationships. The narrative emphasizes the importance of making choices that align with one's true self and values.
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