THE MERMAID: THE LAKE OF THE DEAD (2018)

Synopsis

Based on dark Slavic folklore, the film centers on Roman, a fiancé who returns to his childhood home by a haunted lake. During his bachelor party, he encounters a mysterious woman—actually a deadly rusalka (Russian mermaid spirit)—who becomes obsessed with him. Unable to resist her, Roman falls ill and drifts from reality. His fiancée Marina, who suffers from hydrophobia, must confront her fears and unravel ancient secrets—through family revelations and cursed talismans—to save him before the malevolent spirit drags him into her underwater realm forever.

Cast & Crew

Director: Svyatoslav Podgaevskiy (also co-writer alongside Natalya Dubovaya and Ivan Kapitonov)
Cast: Viktoriya Agalakova as Marina, Efim Petrunin as Roman, Sofya/Sesil Shidlovskaya as the Mermaid, plus others

Themes & Folklore

Draws on the Slavic rusalka myth—vengeful spirits of drowned women who seduce men to watery graves
Explores love, betrayal, obsession, and supernatural vengeance. Marina’s fear of water adds psychological depth.

Strengths

Atmospheric visuals: Misty lakes, blue-toned cinematography, and chilling underwater sequences create a gothic fairy-tale mood .
Creature design & performance: Marina and the rusalka are hauntingly portrayed by Agalakova and Shidlovskaya, respectively .

Weaknesses

Inconsistent pacing: Builds tension slowly but rushes the climax, leaving unresolved threads .
Script issues: Some critics cite a formulaic plot, flat dialogue, and uneven character arcs .
Dub vs. subtitles: While dubbed versions received mixed feedback, the Russian original with subtitles is preferred for authenticity .

Critical Reception

Rotten Tomatoes: 26% (4 critic reviews), noted for its atmosphere but criticized for uneven suspense .
Reviews range from praising eerie vibe and folklore authenticity , to laments over poor CGI, disjointed narrative, and weak jumpscares .

Reviewer Quotes

Backseat Mafia called it “an intriguing, creepy and claustrophobic slice of genre cinema” .
My Bloody Reviews rated it a mere 2/10, lamenting Hollywood formula mimicking and poor dubbing .

Final Verdict

The Mermaid: Lake of the Dead is a rich dive into Slavic myth, offering visual flair and atmospheric chills. It remains a compelling, albeit flawed, experience in supernatural horror. The film is ideal for viewers drawn to folklore-based scares and moody settings—but those seeking tight plotting and strong character development may find it lacking.

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