Mermaid Review: Surrealist “Florida Man” Horror Comedy Fails To Excite

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Scheduled for release in 2026, Mermaid promises to be a truly unusual film – and that’s both a good thing and a potentially strange one. This surreal horror comedy consistently stays true to its core idea: a loving, if quirky, portrayal of Florida, told through a personal story with fantastical elements. That story hinges on Doug, played by Johnny Pemberton, who perfectly embodies the eccentric ‘Florida Man’ archetype. When Doug, a struggling loner battling addiction, discovers an injured mermaid during a particularly low point in his life, he takes on the task of caring for her. As he helps her recover, he’s forced to confront the dangers lurking around them and becomes her only hope for survival in the unpredictable landscape of Florida.

Mermaid Works In Its Goal To Celebrate Florida

The movie Mermaid is unusual, and while it’s not perfect, it achieves what it sets out to do. Unlike many recent blockbusters that have been criticized for dull colors, Mermaid is strikingly vibrant. Its depiction of Florida is visually stunning, using a rich, saturated color scheme. Just as The Batman made Gotham City feel like a character itself with its dark and moody visuals, Mermaid truly brings Florida to life as a central element of the story. The film is a warm and visually inviting experience.

The bright, sunny backdrop beautifully highlights Doug’s internal struggles. After losing his job early in the film, he spirals downward until he eventually finds hope. This contrast between his sadness and the energetic world around him is particularly effective. Writer-director Tyler Cornack leans into the bizarre, creating situations perfectly suited to the internet phenomenon of the “Florida Man,” a concept the film playfully acknowledges. While the movie blends genres, it’s rooted in the surreal comedy that Cornack previously explored in films like Butt Boy and Tiny Cinema, and the setting is key to making this style work.

Despite Compelling Visuals, Mermaid Lacks Excitement

A movie’s quality ultimately depends on how well-developed its characters and story are. While Mermaid is visually stunning, it unfortunately doesn’t have enough energy to keep viewers engaged through its very slow pace. It’s true that not every film needs constant action, and Mermaid wasn’t aiming for that, despite a briefly frightening mermaid scene at the beginning. However, as a movie intending to explore the inner world of a man desperate for a second chance, Mermaid doesn’t deliver the emotional impact needed to truly captivate the audience.

Walton Goggins, who plays Thaddeus in the popular series Fallout, has a captivating screen presence that consistently draws viewers in. However, his character in Mermaid presents a contrast; while you occasionally feel for him, much of his trouble stems from his own choices. Beyond Goggins, Robert Patrick delivers a standout performance as the tough-talking Ron, clearly enjoying the role.

Honestly, even putting the filmmaking aside, Mermaid just wasn’t a fun watch for me. I didn’t connect with any of the characters, and the movie felt really slow. Not a lot happens, and it left me feeling uneasy for most of it. I thought the setup with Doug and the idea of him caring for a mermaid had so much potential! It could have gone in a lot of interesting directions. I definitely picked up on the connection to the old sailor legends about sirens and losing your mind at sea – that was a cool idea! It could have been really powerful if they’d played that up more. But sadly, beyond a few weird moments, Mermaid was just…boring.

Mermaid will release in select theaters on Wednesday, April 8.

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2026-04-06 16:08