Follow two sisters who wound up in a luxurious state, only to find themselves in an alluring chaos, wealth, and men.
Netflix unveiled a new captivating series titled Sirens, which premiered on May 22. The show consists of a limited number of five episodes. It features familiar names such as Julianne Moore, Kevin Bacon, and upcoming Actress Milly Alcock, who is best known for her role in House of the Dragon. The show, created by Molly Smith Metzler, is a dark comedy drama and draws inspiration from her play, Elemeno Pea. The story unfolds on a Labor Day weekend at a beach estate, centering around Devon and her younger sister Simone. Devon, played by Meghann Fahy, is facing difficulties at home as she cares for her father, who suffers from an illness, and sends her sister a message —a code word for help, “Sirens.” Yet, Simone fails to respond, and when she does, she sends an edible arrangement, which to Devon is out of the norm and insensitive. So, she decides to visit her sister on the Island, and as soon as she does, she grows concerned for her and her boss, Michaela Kell, played by Julieanne Moore, and their unsettling dynamic. The show explores themes such as social power, class, and the relationships of women. Yet, delivers it in a manner that is sexy and comedic at the same time. Both actresses, Fahy and Alcock, carry the show through their acting styles, which complement each other well and draw the viewers in.
Sirens is also visually stunning as the show displays beautiful imagery and metaphorical scenes that symbolize the charisma of mermaids, making it a perfect series to dive into this summer. Numerous scenes capture the essence of the character’s charisma and allure, such as Simon standing at the edge of the cliff with a warm-toned sunset illuminating her skin and highlighting her eyes, which mask the siren-like quality she possesses at the end of the show, as she has “let go of what no longer serves her.” Throughout the series, we witness the inner turmoil the character faces and the relief when she comes into her own and regains control.
The show is also nominated in not only one, but four categories in the Emmy Awards. Meghann Fahy has received a notable nomination in the Best Limited/Movie Actress category. The show is also competing in the directing category with Nicole Kassell, nominated for her work on the first episode, titled “Exile.” And, the final awards rounding out the Sirens nominations are Best Limited/Movie Contemporary Costumes and Best Limited/Movie Picture Editing.
Overall, Sirens is worth watching, especially for those seeking a compelling summer series.
Rating: 8 out of 10
Review by Samantha Ysaguirre
