Siren

20 May 2017. Siren is one of those horror movies that might have been better, but really how could it? Too often other movies become so simplistically, stereotypical. The PBS television movie Dracula (1997) had similar polished authentic focus. Here the Siren is depicted quite well considering, without either the romanticized nor the glorified monster portrayal. Like in the Keanu Reeve's cult horror Constantine (2005) or perhaps even more like the more recent depictions of eerie characters like Anya Taylor-Joy's Morgan (2016) or Scarlett Johansson's Under the Skin (2013). In the lower budget tradition of Stanley Kubrick's last movie classic Eyes Wide Shut (1999), Siren really wasn't so much scary as it is absurdist horror with a more human inhuman twist. So really this movie while it isn't superb and a great classic, it is a solid horror movie that stands out from most other for its creepy factor, its more all American plot outline, and its more somber rather than typical gross out ending.

Is there one horror buff out there that hasn't seen the much acclaimed V/H/S/ franchise. Well if so you do know that there were some weird and gory tales to see. "Amatuer Nigh" was on the first part and let this full feature being an adaption of it.

When I did see the siren it immediately reminded me of Splice (2009). Did I like Siren, well, somehow it did remind me of the VHS segment but it didn't feed my hunger. There isn't that much of gore in it. Let me even say that there isn't that much of horror in it or even scary moments. What it did deliver was a lot of nudity at strip bars but after a while I thought, let's bring in the horror.

So many reviewers did like it somehow but for me it was rather weak. It do has a few good moments but face it, the hitting of ones knee to break it is done off-camera. And the biting of the siren in faces is also done off-camera. Siren looks to me as a flick made quickly to cash in on the VHS reputation.

Gore 0/5 Nudity 1/5 Effects 2/5 Story 2/5 Comedy 0/5

The plot has no obvious continuity issues, and the scenes are carefully thought out, if a bit naive - but in a positive, honest way. It could even be called a spiritual sequel to the 'episode' with the demon girl in V/H/S, the influences are clearly there but the story is constructed separately, in a neat narrative. The actors are refreshingly on par, nice chemistry between the cast shows through which is always good. The movie is not a huge production, and it does not try to be. This is a good thing because it shows focus on what can work. And it is not lazy or jaded, nor does it look 'poor'. The few downsides it does have come naturally from a lack of budget, but they are not distracting. Other than that, it manages to feel like a properly engaging movie.

I am certainly not sorry for spending the time to watch it.

Fantastic work ethic and detail went into this movie. Disturbing isn't quite the word the creature who in a way stalks the lead because she likes him. He freed her from some sort of cult supernatural club. Okay some of the acting is lacklustre the editing does your head in, the horror was more sex gone wrong and gore, although surely a film to jumpy and weird enough for a an okay score.

Siren is a spin off from the VHS films, which of course mixes up a variety of horror tales, in new and amusing ways.

There's bloody bucket loads of black humour on offer here, alongside a few "sort of" creepy zany scares all bundled up with a weird tale of unrequited monster love. Its a good mix that's calculatedly camp and, in my view, all the better for it.

As you might expect, given this flicks VHS pedigree, there's a lot of mixing of familiar horror themes and a few moments that feel like tributes to other horror film's. Most notably and without giving too much away, this films ending is somewhat reminiscent of the closing scenes in the first Jeepers Creepers film.

If you like your horror a little "way out" and "off beat" Siren is definitely worth a look. Seven out of ten from me.