Sirens (review)

Published by Mason Oldridge, 6 June 2025

CONTAINS SPOILERS!

Two sisters become embroiled in the world of the rich in this lavish new Netflix limited series.

Devon is struggling to care for her father Bruce, who has been diagnosed with early-onset dementia, and travels to ask for help from her younger sister Simone, only to be disturbed by her close relationship with her boss Michaela.

Billed as a dark comedy, Sirens is much more of a psychological thriller. Intriguing and compelling throughout, this series diverts expectations and changes direction constantly.

It probably wouldn’t have succeeded as much without its interesting and entertaining selection of characters. Julianne Moore is terrifying as Michaela and Kevin Bacon is charming as Peter, while the pain and trauma of their upbringing is felt through Meghann Fahy and Milly Alcock as Devon and Simone respectively. Furthermore, Bill Camp conveys Bruce’s condition well and Felix Solis is both funny and likeable as Jose, worlds away from his diabolical cartel boss role in Ozark.

Throughout the series, Michaela is presented as an evil mistress, a suspected cult leader and murderer who has brainwashed Simone into her way of life, and Devon is seen to be the only one aware of this who can rescue her from under this spell. Therefore, it is all the more shocking when Peter divorces Michaela, has her escorted off the property and begins a relationship with Simone out of leftfield. As Michaela quietly leaves on the ferry, it shows how she was never really a villain. In a chilling final scene, Simone smiles at her new position, having essentially replaced and betrayed the woman she practically worshipped, perhaps a statement on how wealth and status defines who is the villain rather than the individual themselves? Additionally, Devon turns down Morgan’s offer to go sailing in order to return to Buffalo with her father, despite teasing a happy ending for her.

Sirens is a truly unique show like no other and is bound to keep viewers glued to their screens all along.

8/10