Sirens Review: Meghann Fahy & Milly Alcock Shine in Netflix’s Dark Comedy Drama

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Over the past ten years, we’ve witnessed an increase in storytellers tackling the class divide using both humor and drama. HBO’s “Big Little Lies” was one of the earliest examples that found success, with subsequent productions such as Peacock’s “The Resort” and Mike White’s “The White Lotus” emulating its style. However, before these hits came about, Molly Smith Metzler’s darkly comedic play, “Elemeno Pea,” which was later adapted into the miniseries “Sirens,” seems a bit like it arrived a little too late to the party.

Metzler’s work, primarily penned by her, titled “Sirens“, revolves around Devon DeWitt (known from The White Lotus and Drop), a character who is grappling with the challenges of caring for her father, who has been diagnosed with dementia, while also battling to stay sober.

Accompanied by her younger sister Simone (from “House of the Dragon” played by Milly Alcock), Devon deliberately avoids responding to her sister’s messages and phone calls for several months. He then travels to a secluded island resort where she works under Michaela Kell, a wealthy socialite known for her cult-like following. Noticing the unsettling bond between them, Devon seeks to bring Simone back home and tackle the ghosts of their shared past.

Sirens Has Some Intriguing Mysteries & Meaningful Character Moments

Many Of The Payoffs, However, Aren’t All That Great

In Sirens, Michaela is caught between a mysterious cult-like following and a string of traumatic experiences in both Devon and Simone’s pasts, making for an enthralling beginning. Julianne Moore’s character exudes an air of eccentricity, hinting at hidden secrets beneath her facade, while Meghann Fahy‘s DeWitt sister leaves us curious about the reason behind her sending the title code word to Simone.

Throughout the five-episode journey of “Sirens,” I ended up having mixed feelings about its narrative flow and execution compared to the original play. The miniseries successfully implements several adjustments, such as eliminating the Jos-B character and replacing the DeWitt sisters’ living family with just their father, who has dementia. These alterations enhance the characters significantly. Yet, I couldn’t help but feel that the series might have been even more effective with a different runtime – either shorter for tighter pacing or longer to explore certain aspects further.

The imbalanced structure of the series is most evident in its finale, especially the conclusion. As hard truths were faced by the characters in the show Sirens, important decisions were made that seemed out of place because it appeared as though several plot points had been overlooked until the very end and then resolved with a brief line instead of a more significant resolution. Moreover, some character choices contradicted the direction the ending was heading, focusing on themes other than allowing characters to learn and develop.

Sirens’ Dark Sense Of Humor Is Often A Welcome Reprieve

Its Soapy Material Is Far Less Interesting Than Its Comedy

Although Sirens might initially appear as a prelude to a more intense thriller, it actually thrives as a blend of dark comedy. The constant back-and-forth between Devon and Simone may stem from a sorrowful past, but it mirrors the familiar squabbles that teenage siblings often have. Moreover, Devon’s recurring discomfort with the upper-class setting reflects an insightful understanding of the world portrayed in the series.

In all honesty, I found myself yearning for a deeper exploration of the tone in “Sirens,” as I was eagerly anticipating something more substantial than the frequent return to its melodramatic, soap opera-esque feel. However, it’s important to note that the drama is not without merit; the emotional turmoil within the DeWitt sisters’ family dynamics is heart-wrenchingly realistic at times, and the portrayal of Michaela’s marital struggles with Kevin Bacon’s character, Peter, offers a thought-provoking commentary on the role of women in upper-class society.

That being said, there are aspects that shine brighter, such as Devon’s unique approach to sobriety and the Kell staff’s lively group text conversations. These elements strike a chord with me and resonate more effectively in a comedic context.

The Cast Is Absolutely Radiant In Their Respective Roles

Bill Camp Frequently Broke My Heart

The series, Sirens, truly excels not just through its humor and engaging mysteries, but primarily due to the powerful acting from its ensemble cast. Fahy delivers a captivating portrayal of the tormented Devon, Alcock sparkles as the devoted Simone, and Moore leaves you spellbound with her hypnotic portrayal of Michaela. The duo of Fahy and Alcock, in particular, stood out to me as their on-screen sibling chemistry was one of the most palpable I’ve ever witnessed between two acting siblings.

Among the many impressive performances, Bill Camp as Bruce, the troubled alcoholic father of the DeWitt sisters who resides with Devon, stood out for me. At first, I must admit, I was a bit hesitant about how Zero Day alum would portray his deteriorating mental condition. However, as the series unfolded and Metzler seemed to understand that Bruce needed to be more than just a character struggling with his mental state, but someone who yearned to overcome it in order to be an active presence in his daughters’ lives, I became deeply touched by his acting. In retrospect, I found myself wishing he had a larger role in the story of Sirens.

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2025-05-22 10:21