‘Some myths are real’
Mermaid Down is a 2019 American fantasy horror film in which a tailless mermaid is thrown into a mental institution.
Written and directed by Jeffrey Grellman (Whiskey Blue) from a concept co-developed with Kelly Lauren Baker,
The movie stars Alexandra Bokova (Girls After Dark), Phillip Andre Botello (Pledge; Minutes to Midnight; Attila), Megan Therese Rippey (Danni and the Vampire; The Devil’s Playthings; Witch’s Brew) and Drew Moore.
Plot:
A mermaid is ripped from the Pacific, her tail is chopped off and she’s thrown into a mental home where no one believes she is a mermaid…
Reviews:
” …this film is ambitious and on a little-to-nothing budget. The cinematography is unbelievable at that price. Everything looks fantastic! The script is bug nuts crazy but never gets too far ahead of itself. The actors/actresses do a great job selling their roles and the mermaid is downright gorgeous.” Ain’t It Cool News
“I’m sure there’s some kind of point about female empowerment being made. Fortunately, it’s so muddled that any such message is completely incomprehensible. I say, fortunately, because going by the way literally every man here is a psychopath, while the women are all supportive, I’ve a feeling I wouldn’t like it much. Bokova’s is the only performance that stands up to inspection…” D- Film Blitz
“This is a fantasy film of the mythic mermaid cut in half and all presented without barely a sign of computer effects. Every bloody detail was done practically utilizing ingenious camera angles, quick cuts, and brilliant editing […] It shows that the camera tricks of the past are still just as effective as the high-priced, high-tech of today. It’s worth a watch.” Film Threat
“I’ve not seen anything quite like this in some time. Even when it doesn’t make sense in the traditional linear fashion, you’re still held spellbound. Mermaid Down is a film that requires a little bit of patience for the way the story is told, admittedly, but as you feel it gaining speed, you know you’re in for something you’ll have a very hard time forgetting.” 4/5 Horror DNA
“As good as the flick looks, the acting on display is it’s equal with Bokova giving an impressively physical performance that conveys her every emotion without the benefit of dialog (the character basically sounds like some sort of dolphin), and Culver turning in a performance dripping with quiet menace.” Horror Fuel
“It’s beautifully shot, with a swelling, soul-stirring score that would make Pirates of the Caribbean jealous. The story, the characters, the relationships that blossom on screen, the themes of hope and sisterhood. All of these things make it a deeply emotional film that will stay with you long after it ends.” 5/5 Morbidly Beautiful
Release:
Currently available on Video-on-Demand (VOD) and Digital HD, Mermaid Down was released on DVD by Archstone on January 7th 2020.
Choice dialogue:
“Mermaids are definitely not sirens.”
Cast and characters:
Alexandra Bokova … The Mermaid
Phillip Andre Botello … Doctor Miller
Eryn Rea … Charlotte
Drew Moore … Lawrence
Megan Therese Rippey … Reyna
Jessica Honor Carleton … Nurse Margaret
Burt Culver … Doctor Beyer
Meggan Kaiser … Ghost
Cara Bamford … Susan
Amber Gaston … London
Ashley Cordelia … Rebecca
E. Shepherd Stevenson … Stanley
Caroline Dunaway … June
Shani Drake … Alex
Michelle Gallagher … Sandra
Melissa Perl … Nima
Erin LaMere … Linda
Graham Drake-Maurer … James Michael
Duane Sincerbox … Truck Driver
Zana Glisovic … Natasha
Tim Ray … Sadistic attendant
Filming locations:
Los Angeles, California
Technical details:
1 hour 31 minutes
Aspect ratio: 2.35: 1
Budget:
$85,000
Trailer:
Full film free to watch online via YouTube
