Turning Red

Turning Red is a 2022 American computer-animated coming-of-age fantasy comedy film produced by Pixar Animation Studios and for distribution by Walt Disney Pictures. It was released on Disney+ on March 11, 2022 and then DVD, Blu-ray & 4K on May 3, 2022. It was later released in theaters on February 9, 2024, paried with a Pixar SparkShort film, Kitbull, which was premiered on Disney+ in 2019. It is directed by Domee Shi (academy award short, Bao) in her feature directorial debut, from a screenplay written by herself and Julia Cho. The film stars the voices of Rosalie Chiang, Sandra Oh, Ava Morse, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Hyein Park, Orion Lee, Wai Ching Ho and James Hong. It is the first Pixar film to be solely directed by a woman, the first to take place in Canada, and the second to feature an Asian lead character after Up. Set in the year of 2002 in the city of Toronto, a young confident and dorky Asian girl named Meilin Lee gets herself into big trouble with her strong emotions and transforms into an 8-foot red panda, and is learning to keep herself calm with her help from her friends, Miriam, Priya, and Abby, and her overprotective mother, Ming Lee.

Meilin "Mei" Lee

• [first lines of the film] [She lifts a tray to her mom in a photo] The number one rule in my family? Honor your parents. They're the supreme beings who gave you life who sweated and sacrificed so much to put a roof over your head, food on your plate, [Ming gives Mei a whole load off food] an epic amount of food. [Ming and Mei do the peace sign] The least you can do in return is [Ming and Mei holding a trophy] every single thing they ask. [In the spa with Mei and Ming] Of course some people are like, "Be careful". Honoring your parents sounds great, [Mei now grown up in her teen years lifts the tray to her mother Ming] but if you take it too far, well, you might forget to honor yourself. [the scene cuts to her in close-up; to the viewers] Luckily, I don't have that problem. [She leaps out of the picture frame and lands onto the sidewalk, carrying a case] I'm Meilin Lee. And ever since I turned 13, I've been doing my own thing, making my own moves; 24/7, 365! I wear what I want, [revealing her case] say what I want, and I will not hesitate to do a spontaneous cartwheel if I feel so moved! [She tries to do a cartwheel] Crap! [She crashes and quickly collects her stuff] [on the trolley] Not to brag, but being 13 means I'm officially a grown-up. [Showing her card to the driver] At least according to the Toronto Transit Commission.
• [Writing stuff down in her notebook] All about that hustle, am I right? [Looking at an old man] [he ignores her]
• Jesse went to art school. Tae Young fosters injured doves. Robaire speaks French. And Aaron T. and Aaron Z. are, like, really talented too. We are 4*Townies, remember? Ride or die!
• Okay. I know what it looks like. I am my own person, but that doesn't mean doing whatever I want. Like most adults, I have responsibilities. It's not all about me, you know? I do make my own moves, it's just that… some of my moves are also hers.
• ( Ming: Do you want a snack?) Cool great thanks!
• [thinking] Don't look at the notebook, don't look at the notebook, don't! [glances down at her notebook] No!
• [talking to herself after Ming confronted Devon about her drawings] You sicko! What were you thinking?! Why would you draw those things? THOSE HORRIBLE, AWFUL, SEXY THINGS?!
• It's fine, you'll move to another city and change your identity.
• [hugging her photo of her and Ming] Mommy, I'M SO SORRY!
• [scolding to her reflection] You are her pride and joy, so ACT LIKE IT! [She slaps herself]
• I'm a gross red monster! [sobs] Stop it! STOP TALKING!
• Tyler is an insecure jerk wad. Words were exchanged. Slightly uncomfortable secrets were revealed.
• AWOOGA!
• Don't look at me! Stay back!
• [furiously trying to rip the tapestry of Sun Yee into shreds] YOU CURSED US! IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT!
• I hate this! I'm slobby, I'm smelly! My mom won't even look at me, and now 4*Town? When are they coming? (Abby: May 18th. They just announced it.) The 18th?! There's no way this will be gone by then! Just go...go become women without me! (Miriam: Mei, it's gonna be okay.) No, it's...it's not! I'm...I'm a freak! Just… [sighs] Just leave me alone.
• (Ming: How is this possible? What happened to your panda?) It's easy. When I start to get emotional, all I do is imagine the people I love most in the whole world… Which is you guys.
• I know my mom's worried, but sometimes, she's just so… so… (Miriam: Wacko?)
• We need to see this concert! Why doesn't my mom get that?! I never ask for anything! My whole life, I've been her perfect little Mei-Mei. Temple duties, grades… (Abby: Violin!) (Priya: Tap dancing.) Yeah. We've been so good. If they don't trust us anyway, then what's the point? (Miriam: Wow. Who are you? I love it.)
• All right, troops, listen up. The boys are coming to the SkyDome, May 18th. Our goal: Four tickets. That's 800 bucks!
• [to Tyler] Hey, dorkbag. We're in. But you only get the panda for an hour. And we're not bringing any presents. (Tyler: [holds out his hand] Deal.)
• Just one last time. Hey, Tyler! You want the panda? You're getting the panda! Let's hear it for the birthday boy!
• I can't be like this forever. My whole family would freak. Especially my mom. All her hopes and dreams are pinned on me.
• [freaking out while learning that 4*Town's concert and the ritual are on the same night] I CAN'T MISS 4*TOWN! WE WORKED SO HARD! But...but the ritual. I'LL LET EVERYONE DOWN!
• The panda's dangerous… outta control.
• I'm keeping it.
• The panda's a part of me, and you guys are too.
• [seeing that Tyler's a fan of 4*Town] You are a 4*Townie?!
• Oh, that's nothing! You wanna see crass?! [starts shaking her butt at Mingzilla]
• [while fighting Mingzilla] I'M NOT PERFECT! I'M NOT GOOD ENOUGH! [flies directly towards her] I'LL NEVER BE LIKE YOU!
• I'm changing, Mom. I'm finally figuring out who I am, but… I'm scared it'll take me away from you.
• [to Sun Yee] I'm not going to regret this, am I?
• I'm Meilin Lee, and ever since I turned 13, life's been a lot. People still talk about Pandapocalypse 2002. Mom and I just call it... growing pains.
• What? Mr. Gao had to put her panda in something. You should see Grandma's!
• My panda, my choice, Mom.
• O-M-G! I'm so excited for the new album.
• [final lines of the film] Sometimes, I miss how things were, but… nothing stays the same forever. We've all got an inner beast. We've all got a messy, loud, weird part of ourselves hidden away. And a lot of us never let it out. But I did. How 'bout you?
• [from trailer] My whole life, I've been perfect little Mei-Mei… but maybe I like this new me.

Ming Lee/Mingzilla

• Sun Yee, revered ancestor, guardian of the red pandas, we humbly thank you for protecting and guiding us. Especially Mei-Mei.
• Who are these hip-hoppers? And why are they called "4*Town" if there are five of them?
• The Daisy Mart has lost a loyal customer today.
• Did the red peony bloom?
• [as a school security is trying to keep her out] Mei-Mei! Tell him it's me! Mei-Mei! Tell him it's mommy! Mei-Mei! Tell him you forgot your PADS!
• As you know, our ancestor Sun Yee, had a mystical connection with red pandas. In fact, she loved them so much…that she asked the gods to turn her into one. [narrating] It was wartime. The men were all gone. Sun Yee was desperate for a way to protect herself and her daughters. Then one night, during a red moon, the gods granted her wish. They gave her the ability to harness her emotions, to transform into a powerful mystical beast. She was able to fend off bandits, protect her village, and save her family from ruin. Sun Yee passed this gift to her daughters, for when they came of age. And they passed it to theirs. But over time, our family chose to come to a new world. And what was a blessing became… an inconvenience.
• No one can see her like this. I never wanted this for her.
• It's one thing to stay calm at home or school. But a concert? You'll get whipped up into a frenzy and panda all over the place.
• This isn't music, this is filth! And it's not worth jeopardizing your life over.
• What was that? Am I the only one who sees the danger here? There's no way she could keep her panda in. And $200?! For what?! Who do they think they are, Celine Dion? Hmph. Unbelievable. I saw that look. Where does she get that from? Treating her own mother like that.
• [while trying to apologize to Tyler's parents after Meilin attacked their son] I am so sorry. She's never done anything like this before. I don't know what came over her.
• [scolding Miriam, Priya, and Abby] I knew you were trouble. Putting all these thoughts into Mei-Mei's head, parading her around. Now she's lying, sneaking out. She attacked a defenceless boy! You think this is a joke? Do you know how dangerous this is?
• She is a good girl, and you've taken advantage of her!
• You can do it! Keep going!
• [after Mei runs off to the concert] GET BACK HERE! [trips herself] No.
• How could she? [growls as her sadness turns to fury] How could she do this to…her own… mother?! [her talisman pendant necklace breaks, releasing her red panda spirit as it merges into her body; everyone steps back in horror as she rises in mid-air with her eyes glowing red] MEI-MEI!!!
• [angrily picks up her daughter] You are in big trouble, young lady! (Meilin: Mom, let go!) I'm shutting this down, RIGHT NOW! Everyone, GO HOME! Where are your parents?! Put some clothes on!
• You think you're so mature! Lying to me! Blaming me! How could you be so…so… CRASS?!
• [as Panda Meilin twirks her butt at her; disgusted] What are you doing?! Stop moving like that!
• I see you, Mei-Mei. You try to make everyone happy but are so hard on yourself. And if I taught you that…I'm sorry. So, don't hold back. For anyone. The farther you go, the prouder I'll be.
• This thing's hungry all the time. [starts feeding her digital pet red panda] Eat up, little one. Oh, you're so hungry. Munch, munch, munch.
• Hold on. You're not going out like that, are you?
• [last lines of the film; to the viewers; sadly doing the community service] I hate her misbehavior.

Miriam

• [to Meilin] We love you Mei.
• [to Meilin] Panda or no panda, no matter what.
• Guys, if we can't all go, then none of us should go... Right?
• Mei, what if you didn't do the ritual? What if you kept the panda?
• Oh, no. 4*Town's the same night as the ritual?

Priya

• Tickets to 4*Town are like, a bajillion dollars, and Devon's right here. (Abby: And free!)
• Sick. I've always wanted a tail.
• Uh… This says Toledo.

Abby

• LET'S BURN THIS PLACE TO THE GROUND!
• 4-Town's coming to Toronto!
• WHAT THE HECK IS TOLEDO?!
• [rooting for Meilin as she fights Mingzilla] DESTROY HER WITH YOUR BIG BUTT!

Grandma Wu

• (Meilin: Hey, Grandma.) Poor dear. It must be so difficult keeping that unruly beast at bay. Your family is here now, Mei-Mei. And we will take care of everything.
• I know how hard it is to keep the beast in. It feels so good to let it out. So free. But each time you do, the stronger it gets. And then you'll be bound to it forever, and the ritual will fail.
• Your mother and I were close once, but the red panda took that away. I couldn't bear to see that happen to you. So no more panda. I know you'll do what's right.
• Ming, this is a critical time. Mei-Mei needs a strong hand now more than ever. Don't let her out of your sight. (Ming: I won't, Mother.)
• [looks up and sees 4-Town logos projected by searchlights in the sky] What is that?! (Ming: Um, I think it's coming from the SkyDome, Mother.) [scoffs in disgust] Four is the worst number.
• Long ago, the spirits blessed the women of our family with a great challenge. Mei-Mei, tonight is your turn. Like all the women around this table, you too will banish the beast within and finally become your true self. May Sun Yee guide you and keep you safe.
• [after Meilin abandons the ritual and dashes off to the SkyDome, deciding to keep her panda] This is a disaster! Unbelievable! Ming! How could you let this happen?! She's out of control!
• Sun Yee give me strength. [transforms into her red panda]
• You don't have to apologize. I'm your mother.
• [turns to the viewers, wearing a red 4-Town pendant; annoyingly disgusted] So unlucky.

Dialogue

Meilin: Besties, assemble! Miriam!

Miriam: Huh? Hey!

Meilin: Priya!

Priya: Yo.

Meilin: Abby!

Abby: [angrily shouting to other students in Korean; in English] Yeah! What's up, Mei?

Meilin: Ready to change the world?

Miriam: So ready!

Priya: I was born to do this.

Abby: LET'S BURN THIS PLACE TO THE GROUND!

---

Ming: Sun Yee, revered ancestor, guardian of the red pandas. We humbly thank you for protecting and guiding us. Especially Mei-Mei.

Meilin: May we continue to serve and honor you and this community.

Both: Always.

---

TV Announcer: You've heard their hits, you've seen their moves, and now you get to experience them live! The worldwide pop sensation 4-Town will be kicking off their North American tour! Tickets on sale now!

Meilin: [gasps in excitement] Oh, my gosh!

Ming: Who are these hip-hoppers, and why are they called 4-Town if there are five of them?

Meilin: Uh, I don't know. Some of the kids at school like 'em.

Ming: You mean Miriam? That girl is odd.

---

[Ming pulls up at the Daisy Mart after catching her daughter's drawings of her and Devon]

Meilin: What are you doing? [following her mother] No, no, no, no, no, no! No, no, no, no, no, no!

[Ming angrily enters the store through the door and marches over to the counter, passing Tyler]

Tyler: [laughs smugly as he witnesses this] Oh, snap!

Meilin: Mom, no! (Please!)

Ming: [points to Devon, fiercely] You! What have you done to my Mei-Mei?!

Devon: Uh, who?

Tyler: Meilin Lee, right here! [points to Mei, standing next to him]

Ming: I should report you to the police. How old are you? 30?

Devon: I'm 17.

Ming: Oh, see, see? This is what happens when you don't wear sunblock and do drugs all day! She's just a sweet, innocent child. How dare you take advantage of her! [takes out Meilin's drawings and throws them on the counter in slow-motion]

Meilin: Mom! NOOOOOOOOOO! [echoes]

Devon: What?!

[Everyone gasps at Meilin's drawings and start laughing at her]

Tyler: [laughs] What a weirdo! [mocks her by kissing the air]

[Mei looks at everyone laughing at her and Tyler looking at her, blushing in embarrassment of humiliation]

Ming: The Daisy Mart has lost a loyal customer today. [leaves the store with her daughter as everyone continue laughing; sighs exasperatedly] Thank goodness I was here. That degenerate won't come near you again. Now, is there anything else I should know about, Mei-Mei?

Meilin: [clutching her skirt, tightly] Nope. All good. [cut to her in her bedroom a little later, screaming her head into a pillow] You sicko! What were you thinking?! Why would you draw those things? Those horrible, awful, sexy things?! [later pacing around] It's fine. You'll move to another city, change your identity. [screaming under her bed whilst stomping her feet wearing her bunny slippers; then whining sorrowfully to a framed photo of her and Ming] Mommy, I'm so sorry! [stuffing her face in a pillow on a spinning chair, the chair stops as it hits a mirror; to her reflection, angrily] You are her pride and joy, so ACT LIKE IT! [slaps herself; later rips the drawings out of her notebook and throws them in the trash can; back to her reflection] This will never happen again.

---

[After Meilin screams from seeing her reflection as a red panda in the bathroom mirror]

Panda Meilin: This isn't happening, this isn't happening! [whimpers in panic, sniffs the scent of her panda form and gags] Wake up, wake up, wake up!

Ming: [knocking on the bathroom door] Mei-Mei, is everything okay?

Panda Meilin: [panicking] DON'T COME IN HERE!

Ming: Mei-Mei, what's going on honey? Are you sick? Is it a fever? A stomach ache? Chills? Constipation?

Panda Meilin: No!

Ming: Wait. Is it… that? [Jin stops in his tracks, swallows something in his mouth and backs away slowly] Did the-- Did the red peony bloom?

Panda Meilin: No! Maybe?

Ming: [gasps in horror] But it's too soon. Don't worry, Mei-Mei. I'll get everything you need. Mommy's here! Jin. Jin! IT'S HAPPENING!

---

Panda Meilin: I'm a gross red monster! [sobs] Stop it! Stop talking! [slaps herself]

Ming: [clears throat] Mei-Mei, I know this is upsetting, but we are going to get through this together. I have ibuprofen, vitamin B, a hot water bottle, and...pads. Regular, overnight, scented, unscented, thin, ultra-thin, ultra-thin with wings--

Panda Meilin: Uh-huh. All right. Awesome. Just leave them by the sink.

Ming: Mei-Mei. Perhaps we should talk about why this is happening.

Panda Meilin: No! I mean, nah. It's okay.

Ming: You are a woman now. And your body is starting to change.

Panda Meilin: [muffled] Mmm-hmm.

Ming: It's nothing to be embarrassed about.

Panda Meilin: Mom, please!

Ming: [starts her hand on the shower curtain] You are now a beautiful, strong flower...

Panda Meilin: No, no, no, no!

Ming: ...who must protect your delicate petals and clean them regularly.

[Alarm suddenly starts beeping as she quickly opens the shower curtain without looking back at her]

Jin: [offscreen] Uh, Ming?! Ming!

Ming: My porridge! [opens the door and runs out of the bathroom] Jin. Jin!

---

Ming: [pulling up at the middle school, dropping her daughter off] I know it feels strange, Mei-Mei, but I promise, nobody will notice a thing.

Meilin: [monotone] Thank you for your concern, Mother. But I'll be fine.

Ming: Well, here's your lunch. I packed extra snacks. And herbal tea. For cramps. It helps relax your…

Meilin: [panicky] I got it! Thank you! Bye!

---

Classmate: What's with her?

Miriam: What's with your face? [The classmate becomes offended by Miriam's trash talk]

Miriam: [to Meilin as she buries her head on her desk] What is with you? You're being weird.

Meilin: [hesitantly] I'm just really excited about math.

---

[Lee Family Temple; Panda Meilin, Ming, and Jin enter the Sun Yee shrine and Ming lifts up the bottom part of the tapestry, revealing a secret compartment in the wall, then opens it, and takes out a small wooden chest]

Ming: [sighs deeply] As you know, our ancestor, Sun Yee, had a mystical connection with red pandas. [opens the chest and takes out a small scroll] In fact, she loved them so much…that she asked the gods to turn her into one. [opens the scroll, revealing a story] It was wartime. The men were all gone. Sun Yee was desperate for a way to protect herself and her daughters. Then one night, during a red moon, the gods granted her wish. They gave her the ability to harness her emotions, to transform into a powerful mystical beast. She was able to fend off bandits, protect her village, and save her family from ruin. Sun Yee passed this gift to her daughters, for when they came of age. [back to reality] And they passed it to theirs. But over time, our family chose to come to a new world. And what was a blessing became… [smiles sheepishly] an inconvenience. [bites her lower lip]

Panda Meilin: [looks at the tapestry of Sun Yee; shocked] Are... you... [with her eyes in red of fury] SERIOUS?! [angrily tries to rip it apart as her parents try holding her back]

Jin: NO!

Ming: Mei-Mei, NO!

Panda Meilin: IT'S A CURSE!

Ming: She meant it as a blessing!

Panda Meilin: YOU CURSED US! IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT!

Ming: Mei-Mei, stop! Listen to me! Listen! There's a cure!

Panda Meilin: [calms down, letting go of her anger] Really? How do you know?

Ming: Because…it happened to me.

Panda Meilin: Why didn't you warn me?

Ming: I thought I had more time! You're just a child. I thought, if I watched you like a hawk, I'd see the signs and be able to prepare. But it's going to be fine. I overcame it and you will too. On the next red moon, you'll undergo a ritual that will seal your red panda spirit into one of these. [holds up her panda necklace] And then you'll be cured. For good. Just like me. But any strong emotion will release the panda. And the more you release it, the more difficult the ritual will be. There is a darkness to the panda, Mei-Mei. You only have one chance to banish it, and you cannot fail. Otherwise, you'll never be free.

Jin: [looking through the May 2002 calendar] Let's see, the next red moon will be the 25th.

Panda Meilin: That's a whole month away!

Ming: We'll wait it out together. And I'll be with you every step of the way.

---

Ming: [worriedly] This is awful. What are we gonna do?

Jin: Don't worry. We'll get through this.

Ming: No one can see her like this. I never wanted this for her. Did you see how she was in the temple? Her eyes…

[Meilin hears their conversation and cries, poofing into her panda form throughout the night]

---

Ming: Oh.

Meilin: Which is you guys.

Ming: Oh. Oh, Mei-Mei.

Meilin: So, now that that's settled, I just have one teeny-tiny favor to ask.

[scene cuts to Ming looking at Mei, not happy later that evening…]

Ming: [defiantly] No. Absolutely not.

Meilin: What?! But this is once in a lifetime!

Ming: Mei-Mei, it's one thing to stay calm at home or school, but a concert? You'll get whipped up into a frenzy and panda all over the place.

Meilin: I won't, I won't! I promise! You saw me keep it in!

Jin: Ming, maybe we should trust her.

Ming: It's them I don't trust! Look at those glittery delinquents with their… [shudders in disgust] Gyrations. Why on earth do you want to go so badly?

Meilin: [imagines herself and her friends at the concert while chugging soda, and Robaire proposing to her; back to reality] Like I said, I just want to broaden my musical horizons.

Ming: This isn't music, this is filth! And it's not worth jeopardizing your life over. Right, Jin?

Jin: Uh--

Ming: [insistently, thinking Jin agrees] See? Your father agrees. No concert, and that's final.

Meilin: [inhales sharply with a tightened sarcastic grin] Okay, well, thanks for listening. Good night. [picks up her 4-Town CDs and radio, and walks to her room with an annoyed scoff]

Ming: What was that? Am I the only one who sees the danger here? There's no way she could keep her panda in. And $200?! For what?! Who do they think they are, Celine Dion? [the phone rings and Jin gets up to answer it] Hmph. Unbelievable. I saw that look. Where does she get that from? Treating her own mother like that.

Jin: Hold on. Ming, it's your mother.

Ming: [alarmed] I'm not here! [lays down sideways on the sofa in a fetal position, takes the phone out of Jin's hand] Mother. Hello. [on speaker] How's everything in Florida?

Grandma Wu: [while putting makeup on] Ming. I know about Mei-Mei.

Ming: I was just about to call you, but everything's fine. [hesitantly] I'm gonna handle the ritual on my own.

Grandma Wu: [scoffs as she puts lipstick on] The way you "handled" Mei-Mei being on the news?

Ming: No one knows anything. They barely saw her!

Grandma Wu: I'm on my way…with reinforcements.

Ming: NO, I CAN HANDLE IT! I CAN… [Grandma Wu hangs up]

---

Meilin: That presentation was bomb.com! I cited all my sources, I had sparklers… [throws a dodge ball and grunts] and she still said no!

Priya: [dodging dodge balls] My parents said I could go when I'm 30.

Abby: [hitting other dodge balls with the ones she holds] Mine called it stripper music! What's wrong with that?! [catches a dodge ball with her teeth and growls]

Miriam: Mine said yes, but I have to buy the ticket. Who the heck's got that kind of cash?

Meilin: I know my mom's worried, but sometimes, she's just so… so…

Miriam: Wacko?

---

[As Meilin is about to sneak out through her bedroom window to head over to Tyler's birthday party, Grandma Wu suddenly enters]

Grandma Wu: Mei-Mei, can I have a word with you?

Meilin: Uh, sure. What's up?

Grandma Wu: [takes a folded cloth out behind her back and unfolds it, revealing a piece of red panda fur] I found this. Strange for a girl who hasn't let her panda out.

Meilin: It's, uh… [chuckles nervously] It's not mine.

Grandma Wu: Mei-Mei, I know what you're doing. I know how hard it is to keep the beast in. It feels so good to let it out. So free. But each time you do, the stronger it gets. And then you'll be bound to it forever, and the ritual will fail.

Meilin: Has that ever happened?

Grandma Wu: It cannot happen. [sighs] Your mother and I were close once, but the red panda took that away. I couldn't bear to see that happen to you. So, no more panda. You are your mother's whole world, Mei-Mei. I know you'll do what's right.

---

Tyler: You want your money? Then get your butt down here now!

Panda Meilin: Forget your money, and forget you!

Miriam: Mei! Let's just go.

Tyler: What about our deal?!

Panda Meilin: SHOVE YOUR DEAL!

Tyler: Fine! Get out of here! Go back to your psycho Mom and your creepy temple, you freak!

[Panda Meilin growls furiously, having to have heard that, and jumps off the roof and attacks him]

Miriam: Mei, no!

Panda Meilin: TAKE IT BACK! DON'T TALK ABOUT MY FAMILY LIKE THAT!

Miriam: [shocked] Mei, you're hurting him!

Panda Meilin: [screams in frustration] I HATE YOU!!!

Ming: [off-screen] Mei-Mei, STOP! [enters the scene] What is going on here?

Tyler: [sobbing] I'm sorry! Just get off of me, please!

[Panda Meilin looks at everyone gasping in fear at her with a horrified "What have I done?" stare; Later, Tyler's parents scold Ming while Meilin remorsefully watches, along with her friends]

Tyler's Mom: I cannot believe you would let your daughter do this!

Tyler's Dad: Do you understand what she did to my boy?

Ming: I am so sorry. She's never done anything like this before. I don't know what came over her. [in unison] I'm sorry again.

Tyler's Dad: [in unison] No, no. I don't want to hear your apologies, okay?

Tyler's Mom: [looking at Meilin as they go back inside the house] She is an animal!

Tyler's Dad: [to everybody] All right, party's over! Everyone, go home!

[Meilin braces herself as Ming walks over to her, but passes her]

Ming: [to Miriam, Priya, and Abby; sharply] I can't believe you girls would use her like this!

Miriam: What?

Priya: But we didn't.

Abby: No, we'd never!

Meilin: What?

Ming: I knew you were trouble. Putting all these thoughts into Mei-Mei's head, parading her around. Now she's lying, sneaking out. She attacked a defenseless boy! You think this is a joke? Do you know how dangerous this is?!

Miriam: We didn't mean to, we just wanted to see 4-Town.

Ming: 4-Town! You manipulated her for a bunch of tacky delinquents?!

Miriam: No! She wanted to…

Ming: Don't you blame her! She is a good girl, and you've taken advantage of her!

Miriam: Mei, tell her!

[Meilin looks up at her mother as she looks down to her, buries her face in her chest, refusing to tell]

Priya: What?

Abby: Dude!

Ming: [stares coldly at the girls before turning to her daughter, starts to leave] Come on, Mei-Mei. [holds out her hand] Let's go.

---

[Meilin is in her room, getting ready for the ritual, and reacts frightfully when she imagines the horrifying memory of attacking Tyler at his birthday party]

Meilin: [as Jin enters her room] Hey, Dad. I-I'm almost ready.

Jin: [shows her the recorded footage of her in her panda form and her friends having fun] Did you make this?

Meilin: Here, I'll erase it. [Jin pulls the camcorder away] What? We were just being stupid. The panda's dangerous, outta control.

Jin: Huh. You sound like your mother. What has she told about her panda?

Meilin: [sighs] Nothing. She won't talk about it.

Jin: It was quite destructive. [chuckles] And big. She almost took out half the temple.

Meilin: You... you saw it?

Jin: Only once. She and your grandma had a terrible fight.

Meilin: Over what?

Jin: [points to himself] Your grandma didn't approve of me but, you should've seen your mom. She was... incredible.

Meilin: But I'm a monster.

Jin: [sighs] People have all kinds of sides to them, Mei, and some sides are messy. The point isn't to push the bad stuff away. It's to... make room for it, live with it.

---

Abby: Mei, you're here!

Miriam: Mei, what are you doing here?

Meilin: I couldn't do it. The panda's a part of me, and you guys are too.

Miriam: Mei, you threw us under the bus.

Meilin: I know and I'm sorry. I've been, like, obsessed with my mom's approval my whole life. I couldn't take losing it, but losing you guys feels even worse.

Miriam: [coldly] Well, too bad. 'Cause you did.

---

Miriam: Your mom must've gone nuclear.

Meilin: Who cares? What's she gonna do, ground me?

---

Robaire: Toronto! Who knows what's up?

---

Jin: Mei!

Meilin: Dad?

Grandma Wu: We have to save your mother!

Chen: She's gone loco!

Jin: Mei, we have to the ritual again!

Meilin: What happened?! She's HUGE!

Jin: I told you, she was big!

Meilin: THAT BIG?!

---

Mingzilla: THIS ISN'T YOU!

Meilin: [savagely] This IS ME! [angrily bites Mingzilla's paw as she poofs into her panda form]

[Mingzilla roars in pain and let goes of her, making her fall]

Jin: Mei, are you okay?

Panda Meilin: [angrily] I'm not your little Mei-Mei anymore! I lied, Mom!

Mingzilla: [shocked] What?!

Panda Meilin: It was my idea to hustle the panda. My idea to go to Tyler's party! It was all ME! I like boys! I like loud music! I like gyrating! I'M 13, DEAL WITH IT!

[After a short pause, Mingzilla growls extremely livid over being lied to and ratted out by her own daughter and roars in fury]

Grandma Wu: The ritual. [claps her hands] Everyone in position!

---

Meilin: [fighting Mingzilla while poofing into her red panda form and her human self] All I wanted… was to go to the CONCERT!!!

Mingzilla: I never went to concerts! I put my family first! I tried to be a good daughter!

Meilin: [growls lividly] WELL SORRY I'M NOT PERFECT! SORRY, THAT I'M NOT GOOD ENOUGH! AND SORRY! THAT I'LL NEVER BE LIKE YOU! [flies directly at her and headbutts her between the eyes, knocking her unconscious]

---

Grandma Wu: Sun Yee, give me strength. [takes off her panda bracelet and throws it on the ground, breaking it, poofs into her panda form, and rushes over to help her granddaughter] Pull, Mei-Mei!

Panda Meilin: Grandma?

Grandma Panda Wu: I am not losing my daughter! [to the aunties] Don't just stand there!

[The aunties rush over to them while taking off and shattering their trinkets, poofing into their red panda forms]

Panda Chen: Make room for your elders, Mei-Mei!

Panda Meilin: What?

Panda Ping: We're with you!

Panda Meilin: What are you doing?! What if you can't turn back?!

Panda Helen: Your mom needs us!

Panda Lily: She's family!

Grandma Panda Wu: Less talking, more pulling!

Panda Lily: This fur is so itchy!

Grandma Panda Wu: Quiet, Lily!

---

[In the Astral Realm, Meilin finds Ming, who looks a little younger]

Young Ming: [sobbing hysterically] I'm sorry... It's all my fault.

Meilin: What happened?

Young Ming: I... I hurt her!

Meilin: (Her) Who?

Young Ming: My mom! I got so angry, and I... and I lost control! I'm just so sick of being perfect! I'm never gonna be good enough for her... or anyone.

Meilin: I know it feels that way. Like, all the time. But it isn't true.

---

Ming: [sadly sighs as Grandma Wu hugs her; heartbroken] I'm sorry.

Grandma Wu: Shh. You don't have to apologize. I'm your mother. [to Meilin; sighs] May Sun Yee guide you and keep your safe. One at a time, ladies. And quickly.

Chen: That's it? Mei-Mei's keeping the panda?

Helen: It's her life. Now move.

---

Ming: No! Mei-Mei, please. Just come with me. [holds out her hand, begging her daughter to come along]

Meilin: [shakes head in refusal] I'm changing, Mom. I'm finally figuring out who I am. But… [gasps softly; sadly] I'm scared it'll take me away from you.

Ming: Me, too. I see you, Mei-Mei. You try to make everyone happy, but are so hard on yourself. And if I taught you that… [short pause] I'm sorry. So, don't hold back… for anyone. The farther you go, the prouder I'll be.

---

Meilin: [with her panda ears and tail] Bye, Mom! Bye, Dad!

Ming: [stops her] Hold on. You're not going out like that, are you?

Meilin: [scoffs] My panda, my choice, Mom. [chuckles before hugging her] I'll be back before dinner, okay?

Ming: [sighs] Fine. Oh, um… You're welcome to join us.

Miriam: [gasps] For Mr. Lee's cooking? [in unison with Priya] Uh, yeah!

Priya: [in unison with Miriam] We are so there.

Ming: Don't load up on junk!

Meilin: Thanks for covering for me, Dad!

Jin: Have fun!

About Turning Red

• Set in Toronto between 2002 and 2003, Turning Red centers around Meilin "Mei" Lee, a 13-year-old Chinese-Canadian. One morning, she is horrified to discover that whenever she gets too excited or stressed, she poofs into an eight-foot-tall red panda, but can turn back, if calm. Soon Mei later learns that her ancestors have a shared history with the species as a family curse. Soon she must try maintain her new lifestyle as a teenager.

Voice cast

• Rosalie Chiang as Meilin "Mei" Lee

Ming and Jin's daughter / Wu's granddaughter

• Sandra Oh as Ming Lee

Mei's mother / Jin's wife / Wu's daughter

• Orion Lee as Jin Lee

Mei's father / Ming's husband / Wu's son-in-law

• Ava Morse as Miriam
• Maitreyi Ramakrishnan as Priya
• Hyein Park as Abbey
• Wai Ching Ho as Wu

Ming's mother / Mei's grandmother / Jin's mother-in-law

• Tristan Allerick Chen as Tyler
• Addy Chandler as Devon
• James Hong as Mr. Gao
• Jordan Fisher as Robaire
• Finneas O'Connell as Jesse
• Josh Levi as Aaron Z.
• Topher Ngo as Aaron T.
• Grayson Villanueva as Tae Young

External links

• Turning Red quotes at the Internet Movie Database
• Media related to Turning Red on Wikimedia Commons