The Lure

Name: The Lure
Genre: Drama, Thriller, Horror, Comedy, Musical
Released: February 1, 2017
Duration: 92 min
Rating: 72

2017

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 19 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 28 Ratings

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7.3

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7.3	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 28 Ratings

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The Lure

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Movie Details & Credits

Janus Films | Release Date: February 1, 2017 | Not Rated

Summary: In this bold, genre-defying horror-musical mashup — the playful and confident debut of Polish director Agnieszka Smoczynska — a pair of carnivorous mermaid sisters are drawn ashore in an alternate '80s Poland to explore the wonders and temptations of life on land. Their tantalizing siren songs and otherworldly aura make them overnightIn this bold, genre-defying horror-musical mashup — the playful and confident debut of Polish director Agnieszka Smoczynska — a pair of carnivorous mermaid sisters are drawn ashore in an alternate '80s Poland to explore the wonders and temptations of life on land. Their tantalizing siren songs and otherworldly aura make them overnight sensations as nightclub singers in the half-glam, half-decrepit fantasy world of Smoczynska's imagining. In a visceral twist on Hans Christian Andersen's original Little Mermaid tale, one sister falls for a human, and as the bonds of sisterhood are tested, the lines between love and survival get blurred. A savage coming-of-age fairytale with a catchy new-wave soundtrack, lavishly grimy sets, and outrageous musical numbers, The Lure explores its themes of sexuality, exploitation, and the compromises of adulthood with energy and originality. [Janus Films]… Expand

Director: Agnieszka Smoczynska

Genre(s): Drama, Thriller, Horror, Comedy, Musical

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 92 min

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Critic Reviews

Dominick Suzanne-Mayer

Jan 31, 2016

The Lure somehow manages to seamlessly assemble a film equal parts hilarious, affecting, and grisly while trading and warping aesthetics and tones by the scene. Read full review

IndieWire David Ehrlich

Jul 25, 2016

Dare to peek under the scales of this wholly original and ominously enchanting nightmare, and you’ll find a simple story about the things that society forces a girl to give up if she wants to be part of our world. Read full review

Matt Donato

Feb 2, 2017

The Lure is powerful enough to cast an obsessive spell on anyone watching. Read full review

Diego Semerene

Jan 31, 2017

Agnieszka Smoczynska's film is most poignant when it simply stares at its own strangeness. Read full review

Barry Hertz

Mar 16, 2017

The result is hallucinatory and puzzling, but never anything less than captivating. Read full review

Justin Lowe

Jan 31, 2016

The filmmakers’ enthusiasm for their characters and the vanished period setting is palpable, asserting a certain fatalistic charm of its own. Read full review

Peter Keough

Mar 9, 2017

There is no continuity in narrative or character and it’s all shot in an elliptical, heavily stylized, gaudily lit (much of it looks like it’s shot through an algae-filmed aquarium) collage. Read full review

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User Reviews

Deanomite

May 27, 2020

This was a total surprise. i never knew I needed a Polish musical about carnivorous mermaids working at a strip club until it happened. Excellent photography, above all an excellent script, made this memorable. I like the idea of the main character dying in the start of the third act, itThis was a total surprise. i never knew I needed a Polish musical about carnivorous mermaids working at a strip club until it happened. Excellent photography, above all an excellent script, made this memorable. I like the idea of the main character dying in the start of the third act, it kind of happened in No Country For Old Men, but the possibility happened here and it was genius.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

souzais

Jun 10, 2017

Marvelous. Great composition in the scenes. A good direction, photography and nice visual effects. I never heard Polish song before, I love it. It is a simple complex history.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Performer777

Feb 6, 2017

The mermaids and their visit to Warsaw, Poland seems to be a symbolism overlooked by all critics and it's as simple and straightforward as it can be - mermaid with sword and shield is heraldic of Warsaw put on city yellow and red flag color. This explains nothing to me but it does not haveThe mermaids and their visit to Warsaw, Poland seems to be a symbolism overlooked by all critics and it's as simple and straightforward as it can be - mermaid with sword and shield is heraldic of Warsaw put on city yellow and red flag color. This explains nothing to me but it does not have to explain anything. If someone has a good ear and sense of humour and enjoys a bit of surrealism with multilayered narrative and mixture of Cabaret (1972), Lars von Trier with excellent pastiche music (pop, new age, punk, rock) diving into and enjoying movie is no brainer. I have watched it twice back to back and enjoyed it so much that felt compelled to write my first meta review.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

evildevil17

Jul 5, 2018

Here's something you don't see quite often: a feisty, exotic movie made in Poland. It's so surreal and burlesque, even Baz Luhrmann would find it intriguing. If you're hungry for animalistic, yet sensual horror story, which is also a musical, "The Lure" is a movie you should give a chance.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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