“Where can I watch The Bay Where Whales Vanished?”
This Taiwanese buzz title has been drawing attention even before release.
We’ve thoroughly researched how to watch it for free and which streaming services offer the best value!
Blending BL elements with a road-movie vibe and fantasy, the film also makes waves with the pairing of Terence Lau × Fandy Fan.
“If I’m interested, where should I watch it?” We’ve got answers.
This guide fully covers how to watch The Bay Where Whales Vanished for free or on the cheap.
We also dive into key details, streaming predictions, and impressions/reviews.
By the end, you’ll know which subscriptions to prep before streaming begins—a must-read for film fans!
Please don’t vanish before I get to watch you, kuma~.
I’ll track down where to watch, kuma!
…Ah, I dropped my cookie in the bay. I’ll find that first, kuma.
- What is The Bay Where Whales Vanished?
- Story & Key Details
- Highlights to Know Before Watching
- Streaming Services Most Likely to Carry It
- FAQs for Watching The Bay Where Whales Vanished
- Selected Filmography of the Leads (Terence Lau, Fandy Fan)
- Similar & Related Recommendations
- Check the Buzz & Reviews on Social Media!
What is The Bay Where Whales Vanished?
The Bay Where Whales Vanished is a Taiwanese film releasing on August 8, 2025, a hybrid of fantasy × road movie × BL.
Starring Terence Lau (盧瀚霆) and Fandy Fan (范少勳),
it’s earning attention from cinephiles at home and abroad as a visually and emotionally resonant work.
The director is Liang Shu-han (梁淑涵), making her feature-length debut.
With delicate character work and poetic visuals, the film caused a major stir at the 2025 Taipei Film Festival.
The “bay where whales vanished” of the title is a key setting symbolizing lost memories, despair, and renewal; its meaning unfolds as the story progresses.
As a Taiwanese LGBTQ+ film, it has been highly praised, especially for weaving together themes of sexual diversity in Asia with family, solitude, and the journey.
Festival buzz and reception
The film premiered at the 2025 Taipei Film Festival, earning multiple nominations including the Audience Award.
In particular, the subtle performances by Terence Lau and Fandy Fan drew strong acclaim.
Critics position it as “a work that opens a new door for Asian cinema,” and many fans in Japan have eagerly awaited its release.
The Bay Where Whales Vanished is one of 2025’s most anticipated Asian films.
Its unusual fusion of LGBTQ+ × road movie × fantasy is the talk of the town!
Story & Key Details
The story of The Bay Where Whales Vanished begins when two young men, both carrying emotional scars, set off on a journey.
Yu (Terence Lau), a writer unable to face the death of his former lover, and Yang (Fandy Fan), a young man who has lost his sense of purpose,
meet by chance and set out together for “the bay.”
They head for a mystical inlet said to be “where whales once appeared.”
Along the way they meet various people, confront the past, and search for the path to renewal.
A healing road movie + dreamlike visual beauty
Throughout, Taiwan’s beautiful nature and ethereal imagery are portrayed with striking impact.
The unhurried flow of time and quiet music gently soothe the viewer.
Yu and Yang’s relationship features subtle BL expression “spoken through glances rather than words”.
With few overt moments, the careful depiction of inner feelings evokes deep empathy.
Production Data
| Title | The Bay Where Whales Vanished |
|---|---|
| Release | Friday, August 8, 2025 |
| Genres | Road Movie, BL, Fantasy |
| Director | Liang Shu-han (梁淑涵) |
| Cast | Terence Lau, Fandy Fan |
| Country | Taiwan |
| Runtime | Unannounced (Est.: around 110 min) |
This healing road movie offers a rich visual and emotional experience.
Recommended not only for fans of Taiwanese cinema but for anyone seeking a cleansing, restorative watch.
Highlights to Know Before Watching
To get the most from The Bay Where Whales Vanished, here are the must-see elements and charms to note in advance.
1) Quietly searing performances by Terence Lau and Fandy Fan
The film’s greatest strength is the overwhelming presence of its two leads.
Terence Lau delicately plays Yu, a writer wrapped in silence and hurt, while Fandy Fan portrays Yang with vibrant life force, skillfully crafting a contrast of stillness and motion.
Because their bond is not spelled out in explicit dialogue, emotions are conveyed through glances, silence, and timing.
This “understated acting” lends the film its quiet depth.
2) Taiwan’s nature and fantastical locations
The bay, mountains, and coastlines featured in the film capture Taiwan’s beauty itself.
The changing landscapes along their journey mirror the evolving states of their hearts.
Shot largely with natural light, the images carry a soft, natural tone that lingers in the mind.
3) Gentle, embracing music and sound
The film employs quiet, piano-centered music that fills in the sparseness of dialogue and resonates with the audience.
Natural sounds—waves, wind—are treated as part of the narrative.
4) Delicacy of BL depiction
There are no explicit love scenes; the reason it draws high marks from BL fans lies in its “portrayal of emotional distance.”
The physical closeness versus emotional apartness is exquisitely staged, inviting empathy with the gradually crossing currents of feeling.
Acting, visuals, music, and themes all in harmony.
Ideal for those drawn to wordless exchanges of feeling.
Streaming Services Most Likely to Carry It
Time your free trials to the release window for maximum savings.
Below is a beginner-friendly list of major platforms with estimated windows and free options.
| Service | Estimated Start | Price (¥/mo, tax incl.) | How to Watch Free |
|---|---|---|---|
| U-NEXT | Mid-August 2025 | 2,189 (31-day free trial) | Watch during free trial; use points/cashback when applicable |
| Netflix | Early September 2025 | Basic: 990 / Standard: 1,490 / Premium: 1,980 | Use limited-time free trials where available by region |
| Hulu | Mid-September 2025 | 1,026 (2-week free trial) | Watch during free trial |
| FOD Premium | Late August 2025 | 976 (first 2 weeks free) | Register for the free trial to watch |
| d Anime Store | Late August 2025 | 550 (first 31 days free) | If listed, watch within the free period |
| ABEMA | Early September 2025 | 960 (first 2 weeks free) | Watch as an included title during trial |
There’s a strong chance of staggered releases across these services from mid-August to mid-September 2025.
Use free trials wisely to get to ¥0.
FAQs for Watching The Bay Where Whales Vanished
Q1. What genre is it?
A road movie with fantasy elements and BL undertones—a human drama centered on a journey of healing and renewal.
Q2. How prominent is the BL depiction?
It places greater weight on emotional connection and delicate psychology.
There are no explicit romance or love scenes; it portrays a quiet, deep “bond.”
Q3. Which subscription is most recommended?
U-NEXT and FOD Premium tend to be early and offer longer trials.
With U-NEXT, some titles allow point use, making it especially good for first-time users.
Q4. Where can I watch the trailer before release?
On the official YouTube channel and the distributor’s social accounts.
Search “The Bay Where Whales Vanished trailer.”
Q5. What are people saying who’ve already seen it?
From festival/preview audiences: “A film that draws quiet tears,” “The visuals are beautiful—my heart felt cleansed.”
It doesn’t lean too heavily into BL; it carries deeper themes.
Understanding the tone and genre ahead of time will heighten the impact.
Selected Filmography of the Leads (Terence Lau, Fandy Fan)
Here are representative works from the two leads—must-knows for film fans.
Terence Lau (盧瀚霆) – Key Works
- Show Me Your Face (2023): A human drama about family ties; praised for nuanced acting.
- Calm After the Storm (2024): On renewal in the wake of natural disaster.
- Promise by the Sea (2024): A love story about reuniting with a first love.
Fandy Fan (范少勳) – Key Works
- Voice at Dawn (2022): An ensemble youth drama about a musician chasing dreams.
- Promised Stars (2023): A fantasy drama set in space.
- Whispers of the Wind (2024): A poetic film exploring nature and humanity.
The duo’s range and presence fuel big expectations here.
Watching their past work first can add weight to their characters in this film.
Similar & Related Recommendations
If you’re seeking works like The Bay Where Whales Vanished—quiet tone, BL elements, growth through travel—here are close matches.
1) Call Me by Your Name
An iconic BL film set in Italy.
Shares delicate psychology and natural-light visual beauty.
2) Blue Hour
Japanese film. A road movie about a woman burned out by life reclaiming herself on a trip home.
Resonates with the “journey toward renewal” theme.
3) Summer Hours
French film on family and inheritance.
Quiet, poetic storytelling with lingering afterglow.
4) Paradise Next
Taiwan–Japan co-production.
Two former hitmen on the run—a cross-cultural road movie.
5) You Are the Apple of My Eye
Beloved Taiwanese coming-of-age film.
Nostalgia and emotional tremors; youth, loss, and growth at its core.
If you loved The Bay Where Whales Vanished, quiet, deeply felt films are your next stop.
Watching similarly themed works can deepen understanding and emotion.
Check the Buzz & Reviews on Social Media!
We pulled reactions from those who saw it at preview screenings and festivals, rating five parameters.
| Parameter | Score (5-pt) |
|---|---|
| Visual Beauty | 4.8 |
| Story | 4.5 |
| Acting | 4.7 |
| Music | 4.6 |
| Originality | 4.4 |
| Total (out of 100) | 92 |
Representative Posts
- “The visuals are truly beautiful—felt like I could hear the sounds of nature.”
- “Tears wouldn’t stop during the interplay between Terence Lau and Fandy Fan.”
- “I didn’t know wordless expression could hit so hard.”
Social media is full of praise for the emotion and imagery.
In particular, accolades focus on its “quiet yet profound aftertaste.”
Timing is everything for free viewing, kuma!
…By the way, what if I get lost in the bay, kuma?
I’ll rescue you on a boat called “subscription,” kuma~!
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