The Mermaid: Lake of the Dead (original title: Rusalka: Ozero Myortvykh) is a Russian horror-fantasy film directed by Svyatoslav Podgaevskiy, released in 2018. The movie is deeply rooted in Slavic folklore, featuring the figure of the Rusalka—a female water spirit, starkly different from the mermaids of Western tales. With its gripping storyline, eerie atmosphere, and unique horror elements, the film promises a chilling yet captivating experience.

General Information

• Directors: Svyatoslav Podgaevskiy, Christopher Bevins
• Writers: Natalya Dubovaya, Ivan Kapitonov, Svyatoslav Podgaevskiy
• Main Cast:
  • Viktoriya Agalakova (as Marina)
  • Efim Petrunin (as Roma Kitaev)
  • Sofia Shidlovskaya (as Lisa Grigorieva / Rusalka)
  • Nikita Elenev (as Ilya)
  • Sesil Plezhe (as Olga)
• Genre: Horror, Fantasy, Romance
• Runtime: 90 minutes
• IMDb Rating: 4.4/10
• Release Date: July 12, 2018 (Russia)
• Language: Russian (recommended to watch with English subtitles for a more authentic experience).

Plot

The story revolves around Roma Kitaev, a competitive swimmer, and his fiancée, Marina, as they prepare for their upcoming wedding. During a getaway with friends at a family lakeside house, Roma encounters a mysterious woman by the lake. This woman is not a fairy-tale mermaid but a Rusalka—a vengeful spirit of a young woman who drowned centuries ago, cursed to haunt the lake. The Rusalka becomes infatuated with Roma and seeks to drag him into her underwater realm of death to keep him forever.

Marina, who has an intense fear of water, must confront the Rusalka to save Roma and protect their love. With only one week to act, she must overcome her fears, uncover the secrets of an ancient curse, and battle a supernatural force. Will Marina’s love be strong enough to break the curse, or will she be pulled into a spiral of doom?

Highlights

1. Inspired by Slavic Folklore:
   The film draws heavily on the legend of the Rusalka, a spirit of drowned women prevalent in Russian and Eastern European folklore. Unlike the alluring mermaids of Western tales, the Rusalka is a haunting, dangerous entity with the ability to shapeshift and use magic to lure victims. This offers a fresh and unique perspective compared to Western horror films.
2. Chilling Atmosphere and Striking Visuals:
   The film is praised for its cinematography and visual effects. Underwater scenes, cold blue lighting, and creative camera angles create a haunting, eerie atmosphere. The Rusalka’s design, with her dripping hair and ghostly appearance, is a terrifying highlight, though some CGI effects have been criticized for lacking polish.
3. Acting and Emotion:
   Viktoriya Agalakova (Marina) and Sofia Shidlovskaya (Rusalka) deliver compelling performances, effectively portraying the contrast between passionate love and supernatural menace. However, the English dubbed version has received mixed reviews for lacking the emotional depth of the original Russian version with subtitles.
4. Soundtrack and Audio:
   The film’s score is designed to heighten tension and fear, perfectly complementing the horror elements. The Rusalka’s eerie whispers are a standout feature, adding to the unsettling mood.

Weaknesses

• Familiar Plot Elements: Despite its unique premise, the film has been criticized for relying on familiar horror tropes such as jump scares and predictable slow-motion sequences, which some viewers find unoriginal.
• Underdeveloped Potential: The Rusalka legend has rich potential, but the film doesn’t fully explore it to create a truly distinctive story. Some viewers find the ending predictable and lacking depth.
• CGI Effects: Certain special effects, particularly the Rusalka’s monstrous form, have been noted as less convincing, which can detract from the viewing experience.

Target Audience

The film is ideal for fans of supernatural horror, especially those curious about Russian and Eastern European folklore. If you enjoy films like The Ring or Gothika with their dark, mystical atmospheres, The Mermaid: Lake of the Dead is worth a watch. However, if you’re not a fan of jump scares or expect a groundbreaking horror experience, you might find it slightly disappointing.

Overall Review

The Mermaid: Lake of the Dead is a compelling horror film thanks to its unique take on the Rusalka legend and its well-crafted eerie atmosphere. Despite some shortcomings in the script and effects, it delivers chilling moments and a dramatic love story set against the backdrop of life and death. If you’re looking for a horror film steeped in Slavic folklore, dive into the Lake of the Dead!

Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Recommendation: Watch the subtitled Russian version for the most authentic experience.
Where to Watch: Available on platforms like Apple TV, Fandango at Home, or on DVD/Blu-ray from Scream Factory.