Sirens Review: A Beautifully Shot But Overstuffed Class Warfare Story

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This May, we have two limited series arriving that focus on estranged sisters seeking reconciliation for their troubled pasts. First is the Netflix miniseries “Sirens,” a five-episode series that combines dark comedy and family drama. It shares similarities with HBO’s “The White Lotus” (reviewed in Season 3), but it strives to establish its unique identity within the “eat-the-rich” subgenre, with varying success. When compared to Amazon Prime’s “The Better Sister,” which debuts a week after “Sirens,” both shows share similar themes but “Sirens” sets itself apart through its bold and biting humor, offering some laugh-out-loud moments amidst an overcrowded and inconsistently toned series that struggles to find its identity.

Devon, portrayed by Meghann Fahy, is a 30-something woman hailing from Buffalo, New York, who’s grappling with financial difficulties and overcoming alcoholism. She’s stuck in a low-paying job at a fast-food restaurant, and she’s also caring for her father, Bruce (Bill Camp), who has early-onset dementia. One unexpected day, upon returning home to her father, she discovers a lavish basket filled with fruit at the door. This generous gift has been sent by her distant sister, Simone (Milly Alcock), who’s currently enjoying a luxurious lifestyle on an exclusive island owned by billionaires.

In a dramatic turn, Devon, enraged by her sibling’s flippant gift, impulsively embarks on an arduous 17-hour journey without any supplies, intending to confront Simone over her family neglect issues. Questions about who will care for their ill father while she’s away and how she managed to afford travel are briefly addressed in the narrative. However, these details become significant in a show where characters grapple with numerous problems and past traumas, and this lack of concern about such matters raises red flags, suggesting sloppy writing. Even though Devon’s journey serves as the catalyst for the story, its casual treatment feels out of place in a series that emphasizes the weight of its characters’ struggles.

The story begins as a character named Devon unexpectedly arrives on the island where her sister, Simone, works for a high-society cult leader named Michaela or Kiki (portrayed by Julianne Moore). This enigmatic woman is married to billionaire Peter (Kevin Bacon), living in an opulent mansion with numerous staff members who serve as attendants. The environment is eerie and Kiki exhibits villainous tendencies, yet Simone is captivated by her. As Michaela’s assistant, Simone caters to her every need before she even knows what they are. At first, Devon aims to persuade Simone to return home and relieve herself of the burden, but once she witnesses the eccentric and exploitative individuals employed by this cult, Devon resolves to extract Simone from their grasp as soon as possible.

To accomplish this, however, she must immerse herself in the chaos temporarily, untangle a possible murder enigma, all while maneuvering through the suspicious characters and romantic entanglements that make this location absolutely chaotic – the staff members here are anything but ordinary!

A dysfunctional marriage of drama and comedy

As a gamer diving into “Sirens,” it’s challenging to pinpoint the game’s overarching goal. The intricacies of each character’s storyline are so dense and intertwined that it feels almost impossible to fully explore their individual arcs without compromising satisfaction. Topics such as domestic abuse, addiction, family strife, and class struggle are woven throughout, but the sheer volume of these heavy themes makes the narrative feel overwhelming at times.

Moreover, the characters, particularly Devon and Simone, seem to make decisions that contradict their established traits, which not only disrupts their character development but also leaves me feeling confused as the game progresses. It’s a bit like trying to keep track of too many puzzle pieces that don’t quite fit together perfectly.

Midway through, I chose to overlook the inconsistencies and flaws within the personal dramas, which were abundant, and instead appreciate the aspects where the show excels: its bold embrace of absurd and chaotic humor, as shown through peculiar characters like quirky weirdos and wealthy psychopaths. The ordinary staff members find comfort in their amusement amidst the extravagant misery and self-indulgence displayed by these individuals. This is what made the first season of “The White Lotus” so enjoyable. However, “Sirens” is not nearly as good — even at its peak — but the workers, especially Felix Solis’s Jose, are the most relatable characters who we can heartily laugh with every time they make funny comments about their superiors and underlings in group texts (or in person).

The supporting characters steal the show, for better or worse

In “Sirens,” it’s not just the outstanding performances by Meghann Fahy, Milly Alcock, and Julianne Moore that stand out, but also the lesser-known characters who steal the show. Jose’s witty comments in both Spanish and English about his arrogant bosses, the collective eye-rolls of the hardworking catering staff towards the rich, and the struggles of characters like Josh Segarra’s unfaithful Raymond, Glenn Howerton’s boastful Ethan, and Bill Camp’s erratic Bruce, resonate with us. We share their laughter, empathize with their everyday issues, and cheer them on as they navigate this madness without completely losing it.

Essentially, “Sirens” suffers from being overly long, a problem that would have been resolved if it were a two-hour film at most. A more compact and streamlined narrative might have made the story more engaging, with a stronger emphasis on its underlying themes of mundanity. It’s important to remember that humor can only carry so much weight when dealing with troubled and dysfunctional characters, especially when they repeatedly delve into their traumatic pasts, potentially exceeding the intended effect.

“Sirens” is available to stream on Netflix.

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2025-05-22 10:00