Hidden family secrets, dark histories and tense female rivalry strike a delicate balance leaving an atmosphere that feels akin to a house of cards. One wrong maneuver from either sister will cause the whole thing to fall apart. On May 22, Netflix debuted “Sirens," a buzz-worthy new miniseries that has quickly made its way to number one in TV shows in multiple countries. The show features an all-star cast: Julianne Moore, Kevin Bacon, Meghann Fahy, Glenn Howerton and up-and-coming actress Milly Alcock. Filmed primarily on Long Island and set on the fictional island of Port Haven, “Sirens” channels the aesthetic charm of the Hamptons.
The series follows two sisters — older sister Devon (Meghann Fahy), who is seeking to find her younger sister Simone (Milly Alcock). The series begins with Devon receiving a fruit basket from Simone, which allows her to trace her back to the island of Port Haven. When Devon makes the long journey across land and sea, she is met with a less than enthusiastic sister and her peculiar billionaire boss, Michaela (Julianne Moore). Michaela, affectionately referred to as “KiKi” by Simone, is beautiful, unfathomably rich and a little cult leader-esque.
As Devon attempts to reconnect with Simone and lure her back to their home to help care for their sick dad, she is met with resistance from her sister and odd encounters with Michaela. The mini-series is fraught with familial tension and an unsettling atmosphere where it’s hard to place whether or not the lead actresses are on a cult compound or just the property of an off-putting billionaire and her passive at best husband (Kevin Bacon). Viewers are left not knowing who to root for or what exactly is happening on Michaela’s compound.
While the potential reconciliation of the sisters remains a pervading storyline, the real question that hangs in the air is who is Michaela? And how did she become the Michaela viewers see on screen? While there are moments of humor woven throughout each episode, the show dips its toes into psychological thriller territory. Netflix viewers who enjoyed “The Perfect Couple” or “The Four Seasons” will also take a liking to this series that is rich in plotline and genre. It suspends viewers on the edge of their seats for all five episodes, with the ending being completely unpredictable.
With only five, 50 to 60-minute episodes, the series is an easy watch to power through over your weekend. It has everything from weird sibling dynamics, to cult undertones, all the way to summer flings and hidden romances. Every episode brings with it laughter and a whole lot of suspense, taking you along a journey where you won't know what's next, ever. The series, as compact as it is, sneaks in a bit of everything and packs a lasting punch.
Final verdict: Friday night binge-worthy.