The Siren

I really liked this movie. It was slower moving but it had to be. It built a relationship between the siren and the man. No other way could it have been done. For those who didn't like it don't appreciate this kind of film. That's ok. You though, have to watch it for yourself.

I can't believe anyone would give this movie more than a one or two. I truly thought there must be some mistakes with editing because it was so disjointed and confusing. I had to keep rewinding, thinking I missed something, but the movie just jumped around.

I'm glad I found this unexpected gem. The texture and feel of the film is consistent and perfect. The acting is very good, with minimal dialogue. The fear is there and the scares are there, made all the more real by the gentleness and emotional weight. Especially startling is how the composition of filming, lighting and sound made the girl blend perfectly with the water she inhabited. There are some very chilling scenes, and this is a movie that will stay with me in a good way for a long time. The music is beautiful, too.

THE SIREN is a deeply engrossing tale about the tragedy of love, co-dependency and addition. This is the second feature from Director Perry Blackshear who proves here that you can make a stunning film with a solid story, fantastic cast and a limited budget.

Inspired by the legend of The Rusalka, Blackshear has crafted a microscale creature feature taking time and effort to create something very special. Romantic and whimsical, Blackshear harnesses his unique aestetic to wrap his audience in a tragic love story that, at times, taps into its horror elements and executes them very effectively.

The cast are fantastic. As the "titular monster" Margaret Ying Drake is superb. Her performance as Nina is equal bits charming, dark and strangely sweet. Starring opposite her is Evan Doumouchel as Tom who appears as the catalyst for change. Handling his role with the right amount of charm and faith, Doumouchel not only stands his own but his presence is very much welcomed. Together, there is no denying the chemistry between the leads as this shines brightly like a lamp across a dimly lit lake. It's really beautiful to watch.

Rounding up the cast is MacLeod Andrews who plays Al, a man who is searching for his husband's killer. In the film, his character quickly forms a friendship with Tom but it's not long before he soon starts to suspect Nina is responsible for his husbands death. In the role Andrews nails each emotional beat of his character with precision.

Although this film is clearly not for everyone, I was blown away with what the team have brought to the table. As a film, it made me smile, it broke my heart... It was an emotional rollercoaster and it has me excited for what Blackshear comes up with next!

Yes, it's slow and not a typical horror movie. But it was still a beautiful story with beautiful cinematography.

mertgsb said: "I truly thought there must be some mistakes with editing because it was so disjointed and confusing." I guess you mean the fantasy scenes. There are some shots where characters fantasize, but they are quick and with context it's obvious they are fantasies. The siren can't leave the lake....so it cutting to a shot of her and some guy cuddling in a bed after zooming in on her pensive face is pretty self-explanatory.

kvhdn000 said: "There are many shots of one of her feet dangling in the water; I don't know what that means." She can't leave the lake.....she's cursed. Her dangling her foot in or standing on the very edge of the lake is as close as she can get to being on land.

kvhdn000 also said: "there are frequent jumps back and forth between shots that take place at unknown times and didn't convey anything to me." One set is the Siren fantasizing about what life would be like between her and the mute man if she could leave the water. That doesn't convey anything to you?