Movie Review: The Mermaid: The Lake of the Dead (2018)
“She waits beneath the surface, and love is her curse.”
The Mermaid: The Lake of the Dead is a visually eerie and emotionally charged Russian supernatural horror that blends Slavic folklore with modern romantic tragedy. Directed by Svyatoslav Podgaevskiy, the film follows a familiar yet effective horror setup: a cursed lake, a seductive ghost, and a doomed love triangle that spirals into the realm of the occult.
The story centers on Roman, a young swimmer engaged to Marina, who falls under the spell of a vengeful mermaid spirit after a mysterious swim in the haunted lake. As his behavior grows erratic and his health declines, Marina must confront the legend of the lake and its horrifying truth before Roman is lost forever. The narrative plays with the idea of obsessive love—both human and supernatural—and asks how far one will go to save the person they love from themselves.
The titular mermaid is not the singing Disney princess audiences might expect. Instead, she’s a pale, otherworldly creature—both beautiful and horrifying—whose tragic backstory unfolds as the film progresses. Her presence is more psychological than gory, haunting Roman through visions, dreams, and unrelenting obsession. The film leans more on atmosphere than jump scares, relying on shadows, water imagery, and symbolic dreams to create unease.
Visually, the film is stunning. The underwater sequences are mesmerizing and sinister, blending beauty with dread. The fog-shrouded forest, abandoned dachas, and the lake itself feel steeped in mystery and decay. The cinematography enhances the folklore theme, immersing viewers in a world that feels both ancient and fragile.
Though some plot elements are predictable and the pacing lags at times, The Mermaid: The Lake of the Dead succeeds in creating a mythic, melancholic mood. It’s less about gore or shocks and more about the haunting pull of unresolved emotions, grief, and doomed passion. Fans of atmospheric horror and ghostly legends will find plenty to enjoy here.
Final Verdict: ★★★☆☆ (6.5/10)
Beautifully shot and steeped in Slavic myth, The Mermaid: The Lake of the Dead is a haunting fairy tale turned nightmare. Though it doesn’t break new ground in horror, its eerie style and emotional undercurrents make it a worthy watch for fans of dark romance and folklore-inspired horror.
