The Lure (2015)

Director: Agnieszka Smoczynska
Stars: Marta Mazurek, Michalina Olszanska, Kinga Preis
Runtime: 92 minutes

Synopsis: In Warsaw, a pair of mermaid sisters are adopted into a cabaret. While one seeks love with humans the other hungers to dine on the human population of the city.

Verdict: A gory horror musical about two mermaids who visit the surface with different goals in mind, “The Lure” is the type of movie that will stick with you no matter how you feel about it. Whether you love it or hate it, it’s guaranteed to leave a trace due to its unique blend of genres an unusual sense of direction.

Quite obviously based on Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale “The Little Mermaid”, Polish director Agnieszka Smoczynska perfectly understood how to remain faithful to the original story’s themes without it feeling like a rehash of the countless adaptations we already have. No pun intended, but it truly did stand on its own two feet thanks to its uncomfortable atmosphere, intimidating lead performances, and creepily realistic cosmetics.

But what stood out most about “The Lure” is undoubtedly Smoczynska’s decision to turn it into a musical despite its grim tone. It’s well known that a siren’s most dangerous weapon is her appealing voice, used to attract sailors at sea to drown them. The film’s soundtrack uses the same tactics to hypnotize its audience and make them feel part of the narrative. Every musical number is an enchantment, a spell that acts as both a dream and a nightmare, and I absolutely loved each one of them.

So take notes, Disney, because this is how you reinvent a previously adapted intellectual property. Some pacing issues refrain it from being a modern horror classic in my books, but it’s a more than solid watch nonetheless.

FINAL GRADE: 7/10