The Siren

If you're not into subtle slow burn movies, and you consider Marvel movies to be masterpieces this may not be for you.

It's slow, methodic, tortured and utterly heartbreaking... but a wonderful movie.

to the reviewer that felt the need to write a thesis on Siren and Mermaid lore, review the movie, we don't need a history lesson on mythology, geez.

What a uniquely strange and haunting film this is. Billed as a horror, which it unquestionably is, it is also a truly heart-wrenching tale of longing and impossible love.

Nina, the titular siren (Margaret Ying Drake), mute outsider Tom (Evan Dumouchel) and lonely Al (MacLeod Andrews) are the three main characters, and with them we spend the 80 minutes of this story's running time. Inspired by the legend of The Rusalka, director and co-writer Perry Blackshear has these three guide us through a myriad of emotions - loss, friendship, distrust, suspicion and love. Interesting that Tom is a man of deep faith, and it such a refreshing change that faith isn't used as any kind of catalyst for anything else - it is simply part of his character and it gladdens us that he isn't totally alone, even after all that transpires.

Al is bereft after his husband - seen only briefly in flashback - is taken from him. When Nina appears, things change slowly. In fact, most things happen slowly, which will ensure this film isn't for everyone - but I found myself genuinely moved by it.

Terrific, intense performances all around - Ying Drake especially is creepy, sorrowful, alluring and endearing, sometimes all in one scene - allow 'The Siren' to stay in your mind long after the credits, and the haunting music, have finished rolling. My score is 8 out of 10.

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'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.

So many analyst. Just watch a movie with a blank slate. Relax. Does it intrigue? Peak your interest? This is what I look for. And this movie does.