How To Watch Sirens: The Greek Myth Meets Modern Drama in Netflix’s Newest Cult Hit
On May 22, 2025, Netflix dropped Sirens, a dark comedy that blends family tension, luxury cults, and biting social commentary. At its core, the series asks: How far would you go to save a sibling from a life of dangerous glamour?
With Julianne Moore’s chilling performance and a storyline ripped from Greek tragedy, Sirens has become a word-of-mouth sensation. Here’s why this five-episode thriller is the summer’s most talked-about show—and what its future holds.
A Sister’s Desperate Rescue Mission
Devon DeWitt (Meghann Fahy) is a Buffalo waitress racing against time. Her younger sister, Simone (Milly Alcock), has vanished into the glittering world of billionaire socialite Michaela Kell (Julianne Moore). What starts as concern over their father’s dementia diagnosis spirals into a clash of class, power, and manipulation.
“I told you Dad’s sick, and you sent a fruit basket?” Devon snaps in the trailer, capturing the raw frustration of sibling estrangement. Simone, now Michaela’s devoted assistant, insists she’s living her “best life”—but Devon suspects something sinister lurks behind the hydrangea-lined mansions of Port Haven.
Julianne Moore’s Chilling Role as a Cult Leader
Michaela Kell isn’t your typical villain. She’s a former lawyer turned enigmatic hostess who rules her elite circle with a mix of charm and psychological control. Moore’s performance has been described as “haunting” by critics, as Michaela manipulates Simone into severing ties with her family.
“Devon thinks her sister has a creepy relationship with her boss,” the synopsis warns, and the tension peaks when Michaela’s husband, Peter (Kevin Bacon), enters the fray. Their twisted dynamic—a marriage built on old money and darker secrets—fuels the show’s most explosive twists.
Behind the Scenes: From Stage Play to Screen
Sirens began as Molly Smith Metzler’s 2011 play Elemeno Pea, a satire about class divides. Metzler reworked it into a Greek myth-inspired thriller, weaving in the lore of sirens—the mythical creatures that lured sailors to their deaths.
“The title has a double meaning,” Metzler explains. “It’s the sisters’ SOS code and a nod to how women like Michaela become monsters in others’ eyes.” The show’s lush setting, filmed at a real Hamptons estate, contrasts sharply with its gritty themes of greed and family betrayal.
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What Critics Are Saying About Sirens
With an 83% Rotten Tomatoes score, Sirens is praised for its sharp writing and standout performances. Milly Alcock, soon to star as DC’s Supergirl, steals scenes as Simone—a character one reviewer calls “a fevered apparition of ambition.”
The series’s dark humor also shines, like when Michaela’s chef deadpans, “Rich people don’t eat; they curate.” But not all reviews are glowing. Some critics argue the plot’s focus wavers, though most agree the finale’s gut-punch twist—Simone marrying Peter—makes up for any lulls.
Will There Be a Season 2? The Burning Question
Sirens was billed as a limited series, and its ending wraps up major arcs: Simone becomes the new Mrs. Kell, Michaela faces isolation, and Devon returns to Buffalo, wiser but heartbroken.
Showrunner Metzler hasn’t ruled out a follow-up, telling Variety, “Never say never—these characters have more stories.” However, with the core conflict resolved, Season 2 seems unlikely unless Netflix greenlights a prequel or spinoff. For now, fans are dissecting clues in the finale’s haunting last shot: Simone staring at the ocean, her face unreadable.
Final Words
Sirens isn’t just a show about wealth—it’s a mirror held up to how society judges women who want more. Simone’s rise from assistant to billionaire wife sparks debates about ambition versus morality, while Devon’s loyalty challenges viewers to ask: Would you walk away from family to chase power?
With its mix of sharp dialogue, A-list acting, and mythic undertones, Sirens proves that the darkest stories often hide behind the prettiest facades. Stream it now, before the next watercooler spoiler hits.
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