The Lure

The Lure

By Agnieszka Smoczyńska

  • Genre: Foreign
  • Release Date: 2017-02-01
  • Advisory Rating: Unrated
  • Runtime: 1h 32min
  • Director: Agnieszka Smoczyńska
  • iTunes Price: USD 14.99
  • iTunes Rent Price: USD 3.99
7.2/10
7.2
From 6 Ratings

Description

In this bold, genre-defying horror-musical mashup — the playful and confident debut of Polish director Agnieszka Smoczynska — a pair of carnivorous mermaid sisters are drawn ashore in an alternate '80s Poland to explore the wonders and temptations of life on land. Their tantalizing siren songs and otherworldly aura make them overnight sensations as nightclub singers in the half-glam, half-decrepit fantasy world of Smoczynska's imagining. In a visceral twist on Hans Christian Andersen's original Little Mermaid tale, one sister falls for a human, and as the bonds of sisterhood are tested, the lines between love and survival get blurred. A savage coming-of-age fairytale with a catchy new-wave soundtrack, lavishly grimy sets, and outrageous musical numbers, The Lure explores its themes of sexuality, exploitation, and the compromises of adulthood with energy and originality.

Trailer

Reviews

  • Bizarre yet powerful, chaotic yet beautiful ✨

    4
    By moonledria
    Definitely one of the most interesting takes in Han Christian Andersen’s beloved classic.
  • TERRIBLE

    1
    By iamhollowstine
    This was a waste of my time.
  • Campy and delightful

    5
    By strxer
    Two parts David Lynch, one part “Splash.” Only thing missing is Darryl Hannah.
  • Just for fun

    4
    By Very Violated
    Veering away from the sexy mermaid stereotype brings the ugliness of humanity into focus, but never dwells on any subject. It's myriad set pieces, great characters, 100% art film, and captures that 80s range of sublimely clumsy vibes perfectly. Certainly not for everyone, but I got several kicks out of it. As a person who hates musicals, I was shocked at how poignantly enjoyable it really was. "Don't touch me."
  • Bizarre but worth the 5 stars

    5
    By FleetFeetPete
    This film is so novel that it is difficult to get your bearings, but the originality in combination with the vitality, music, and imagery make it all worth while.
  • So it isn’t for everyone

    2
    By AMJ33
    This movie is bizarre! And while I like a taste for the strange, this movie did not leave me particularly satisfied. Its not scary (only mildly gory compared to most horror films). Its not exactly funny even though it parades itself through multiple song and dance numbers. Its dramatic, but not in the sense that it excites me or leaves me full of intrigue. If you are familiar with the original little mermaid (not the Disney version) you will have an idea of where this is going… and for that, there are no real surprises. To me the movie is confused and does not stick to a particular theme other than off the wall weirdness. One minute the girls make sounds like whales and dolphins and in one scene they are growing and hissing like cats. Its just inconsistent and kinda sad. I don’t recommend it unless you are just completely desperate to watch a strange foreign film.
  • Manage your expectations

    5
    By macgyverrr
    This movie is good but it’s “smelly cheese” good, you need to have mood and taste for it.
  • AMAZING movie.

    5
    By DanMagnum
    One of the best movies I have seen in the last few years. So different yet appealing, the music, the acting, the dark twists... AMAZING.

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