I found the beginning a bit lengthy, simply because – based on the trailer – I had expected more action. (Also, at first I thought it was a fictional story structured like a documentary, but it’s actually a documentary. Albeit with a few fantastical elements that underline the themes – and which, due to the color grading and editing, give fictional vibes. I believe this experimental blend was intentional.)
However, starting with the “The Friend” chapter, things get really interesting. And once I realized that this isn’t an entertainment film, but rather a deeply emotional experience – something you have to feel and live through rather than just watch –, I was completely hooked.
My favorite part was the road trip featuring Una and Moth. Briefly, it felt like a scripted feature film, yet simultaneously like a genuine glimpse into their actual lives. (And also because I happen to be in a road-trip mood myself.)
I also really liked their relationship; it wasn’t explicitly stated what exactly they are to one another, but it is definitely queer. They didn’t share the kind of intense chemistry one typically expects/gets in fictional movies. They simply found one another, connected, and then either moved in together or became travel buddies because they’re in the same community. It was portrayed in a realistic, casual manner.
My other favorite aspect was the interviews. They were deeply emotional; I was able to sympathize with every single person, and their stories truly moved me. Some of them touched me quite deeply – a few even felt as though they were speaking directly to my soul. I found myself shedding tears more than once. The people featured were also quite diverse (though, in my opinion, the cast could have been even more diverse).
Rather than viewing it (solely) as a documentary about the Merfolk, I see it more as a diary entry regarding life on Earth right now – specifically the left political scene and how certain people (particularly those within spiritual communities) process all that Weltschmerz.
I really appreciated the queer aspects as well. As mentioned earlier, it’s not part of the romance genre – the relationship between the two main characters (Una and Moth, who is non-binary) remains unlabeled. LGBTQ+ news are mentioned on the radio, and Moth explicitly states that they are queer and a passionate advocate for trans* people.
Additionally, there is a BDSM scene with no sex. Only the receiving partner’s upper body is nude; otherwise, they and the others present remain fully clothed from the waist down. I think this is amazing from an educational standpoint, as the misconception that BDSM is a sexual fetish remains still ingrained in most people’s heads (even though “sex” doesn’t even appear in the acronym).
Definitely recommended. However, you do need to be in a certain mindset to appreciate it. Think: punk, goth, tarot, BDSM, feminism, raw emotions, Weltschmerz, activism, spirituality. It has a meditative vibe, with very few camera movements, and long focused shots where – in terms of plot – absolutely nothing happens. It’s about living in the moment. Breathing.
That said, the aesthetics are top-notch. The camera and directing team really did an excellent job. Honestly, every single frame looks like it could be from a Pinterest board.
I’ve received ‘Akira Kurosawa’s Dreams 1990‘ as a recommendation to this film, so if you’ve watched the other, you might like this documentary too. It may be also, storytelling wise, similar to ‘Le Fabuleux Destin d’Amélie Poulain (2002)’.
The only logical inconsistency that puzzles me is why the Merfolk eat fish. I mean, if they view themselves as half-fish, isn’t that essentially cannibalism? Unless, of course, they view other fish as a different species – in which case, it would be no different than humans eating monkey meat, for example.
| Criteria | Scores | Our Score |
|---|---|---|
| Acting | 1-5 | 5 |
| Script | 1-5 | 4 |
| Cinematography | 1-5 | 5 |
| Soundtrack | 1-5 | 4 |
| Originality | 1-5 | 4 |
Finale Grade
A
(Although I, too, feel a kind of “siren’s call” within me – and would actually love to try out all the rituals shown in the film myself (except the non-vegan ones) – surprisingly enough, I don’t identify as Merfolk. I mean, I certainly wouldn’t mind being part of that community – and as a shapeshifter, I technically already am – and I absolutely adore the ocean and swimming. Yet… I tend to view myself more as a winged creature. A dragon, perhaps, or a (night) owl. I need to do some research to see if there are actual communities out there like the Merfolk featured in this documentary…)
Watched it in theaters with german subtitles.
Watched 6th May 2026
~A. S.
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Arden Skye or Ayxan Solongo, also widely known as TimeFliesAway, is a shapeshifter traveling through the multiverse.
Written By: Arden Skye aka Ayxan Solongo aka TimeFliesAway
Favorite game/film/book: doesn’t have one, cause there are too many good ones!
About: A child of Mother Nature, traveling through the multiverse. Likes to explore the stories of unique individuals – most often referred to as “weird” in a lot of worlds.
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