On (the Day of the Dead), Miguel discovers a hidden photo suggesting his great-great-grandfather was actually Ernesto de la Cruz. While trying to "borrow" Ernesto's guitar from his tomb to enter a talent show, Miguel is magically transported to the Land of the Dead .
Miguel's family, the Riveras, have strictly forbidden music for generations. This began when Miguel’s great-great-grandfather abandoned his wife, , and their daughter, Coco , to pursue a career in music. Imelda then started a successful shoemaking business and banished music from the family forever. The Land of the Dead
Miguel meets a charming trickster named , who claims to know Ernesto. Héctor agrees to help Miguel find the star in exchange for Miguel putting Héctor's photo on an ofrenda (altar) back in the living world. Without a photo on an altar, Héctor will eventually disappear—the "Final Death"—as he is forgotten by the living. The Shocking Twist