Picture: Netflix
Milly Alcock and Meghann Fahy play sisters Simone and Devon in Netflix’s lavish new drama Sirens. A dark comedy with seductive, alluring tones and a mysterious cult, Sirens is easily one of Netflix’s standout shows from May 2025.
Netflix has been dropping some excellent limited series in recent months, including everything from the Western American Primeval to the global phenomenon Adolescence. May 2025 brings us Sirens, a 5-episode limited series created by Molly Smith Metzler (Maid) based on the play Elemeno Pea, which she wrote during her school years.
A mysterious dark comedy with a tantalising, provocative, and feminist backbone, Sirens follows Devon (Meghann Fahy), who travels to see her sister, Simone (Alcock), where she works as a live-in assistant to the Kell family on their lavish island estate, to request assistance in caring for their ailing father Bruce (Bill Camp). The couple who own the ornate Cliff estate, Michaela (Julianne Moore) and Peter (Kevin Bacon), are an elite, socialite, and cultish couple — harbouring secrets of their own.
Devon believes the manipulative Kell’s, specifically Michaela, have got some kind of pull on her sister, and decides to remain around the Kell estate to investigate, much to the annoyance and dismay of Simone. The entire series is told over the course of a Labor Day weekend.
The first aspect of Sirens that instantly strikes a chord is the casting. Both Milly Alcock and Meghann Fahy play sisters excellently. Alcock shines as Simone, the emotionally conflicted and vulnerable younger sister, drawn away from a struggling, dysfunctional home life and into the sumptuous world of luxury. Similarly, Fahy delights as Devon, who is hilariously sarcastic on the surface, but deeply protective of her sister and determined to do what’s best for her. Of course, Devon has taken the form of a mother figure, following their mother’s death earlier in their lives, and their father’s deteriorating health.
In addition, Julianne Moore is enchanting as Michaela — a philanthropist and animal activist. She overlooks the numerous get-togethers and galas in high society, striking a close bond with her assistant Simone. And then there’s Peter Kell, the billionaire head of the family. Peter earned his money largely through inheritance. He’s out of touch in many aspects, but still comes across as one of the more grounded characters. A devoted family man, even he finds himself under the thumb of his wife.
At its core, Sirens is a series about power, and the rift between working class and high society — and what happens when they clash. Sure, it’s funny at times, but it also explores how profound, deep-rooted trauma can be covered by the guise of fancy dresses and galas.
While the story itself is far from fantastical, there’s something inherently mystical about the way it’s presented. Like the sirens of Greek myth, it’s incredibly alluring, with a soundtrack that contains enchanting, irresistible singing. Coupled with often breathtaking visuals and clever cinematography, Sirens has the power to draw you in. It keeps you engaged through excellent, layered characters and the numerous scandals that they encounter. The comedic elements land too, especially when Fahy’s character Devon is involved — she’s electric in her scenes. Another character I loved was Felix Solis as Jose, the humble gardener-turned-impromptu manager of Cliff House.
‘Sirens’ Ending Explained
Sirens has a pretty definitive conclusion, but it’ll leave you craving more. The series ends with Peter breaking up with his wife Michaela, soon after learning that she’d fired and banished Simone for alleged cheating. At the gala, he presents Simone as his new partner. Meanwhile, Devon returns home to Buffalo with her father. Devon accepts Simone’s choice to remain, and they move on with their respective lives. Of course, Simone does not seek to help care for her father. We learn earlier on in the series that he was abusive to her as a child — which is one of the key reasons why she chose to escape to a more lavish life.
Here are some key points and takeaways from the show’s ending:
- Devon decides not to pursue a relationship Jordan or Raymond, and returns home with her father Bruce, while Simone remains on the island and takes up her new position as Mrs. Kell.
- Peter breaks up with Michaela after learning that she’s kept a photograph of him kissing Simone as incriminating evidence against him.
- We learn that Michaela isn’t a murderer as Devon suspected; Peter’s first wife, Jocelyn, went recluse after their breakup following facial surgery gone wrong.
- Michaela encourages Devon to cash-in a cheque she’d previously been given as a bribe to leave the island.
- Despite breaking numerous bones, Ethan survives after his drunken fall down a cliff, wrongly accusing Simone of attempted murder when he awakes.
- Raymond’s wife appears to split up with him after becoming suspicious of his activities on the island.
Picture: Netflix
Despite being a limited series, Sirens leaves the door open for another season, and let’s be honest, just because something is a limited series nowadays, does not mean the door is shut – see The Perfect Couple or Adolescence, for instance.
With Simone now taking the mantle of Mrs. Kell, following Peter’s split up with Michaeas, will the newfound power go to her head? In the final moments, Devon and Michaela share a conversation on the boat back to the mainland. Michaela confides in Devon, admitting that the power and influence that comes with being Mrs. Kell comes with a price, adding that Simone may fall under the sway of great power.
Have you watched Sirens? Tell us what you thought of the show in the comments down below!
