If you’re into films that leave you feeling both emotionally moved, contemplative, and artfully inspired, you’re in for a treat.
From its first frame, Mermaids’ Lament lures you in with extraordinary cinematography — but this isn’t The Little Mermaid. Quickly, you’re swept into a psychological joy ride, that can at times, feel jarring.
Nell, played by Justina Taft-Mattos, embodies the paradox of a lonely psychologist desperate for both control and aching for freedom in a delicately, masterful way. Her chemistry pairs beautifully with Oee, played by Dayva Summer Escobar, who artfully keeps viewers on their toes, pondering the question “is she, or is she not, a mermaid?”.
What sets Mermaids’ Lament apart is not only its unique narrative and attention to cinematic eye candy, but it’s homage to the complicated nuances of mental health, and the stark impact of our disordered society and the repercussions it can have on our psyche and environment, through a fresh lens.
Overall, I give Mermaids’ Lament my profuse admiration. While you could compare it to a socially conscious, fantasy rendition of Thelma and Louise, there is really nothing quite like it.
Visually stunning underwater scenes. Unlike most films which ply for realism, this one really works in the realm of metaphor and myth. Definitely worth a watch for anyone who has struggled with trauma, loss, or anxiety (all of us?)