Mermaid Down

A brutal encounter with a fishing crew leaves a mermaid badly wounded and unable to return to the sea. After her tail is removed she’s rescued by a stranger who seems to help, but instead confines her inside an institution for young women labeled as mentally disturbed. Surrounded by staff and patients who insist she’s delusional, she has to rely on raw survival instincts to get through each day, piece together what happened, and look for any opening to escape. The film keeps its focus tight and ominous, favoring atmosphere, physical horror, and the strain of being trapped in a world that refuses to believe you.

Released in 2019, the movie was written and directed by Jeffrey Grellman, and features Alexandra Bokova as the mermaid, supported by Meggan Kaiser and Burt Culver. It’s an independent production that leaned on practical effects and mood over blockbuster scale.

Audience scores average about 6.5 out of 10 based on hundreds of votes, and critical reaction was mixed to positive. Reviewers highlighted its unsettling visuals, tactile makeup and practical effects, and tense mood, while some found the pacing uneven. The film raises themes of exploitation, bodily autonomy, isolation, and the violence of disbelief.

Among genre fans it’s become a talked-about title for turning mermaid lore into a harsh, modern nightmare. Viewers and critics often point to its stark premise and memorable imagery, and it’s been shared in horror circles as an example of grim, small-scale creature cinema that refuses to feel cute or romantic.

Commercially the film had a limited theatrical run and went on to reach most viewers via VOD and streaming platforms. It didn’t have a wide box office presence, but its visibility grew through word of mouth among horror communities and niche streaming playlists.