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When Netflix first released the trailer for its short documentary series ‘MerPeople’, the teaser looked fascinating and promised to provide viewers with an intriguing glimpse into the lives of real people who portray these mythical creatures as professional performers in water parks, conventions, cruises or pool parties. As I began streaming the 4-part series, I was mentally prepared to skip forward whenever things became a bit dull, but was pretty surprised by how engrossing it was for most parts.
Directed by Cynthia Wade, the series is shot like a reality show, with fewer direct sit-down interviews and more direct coverage of what life can be for different kinds of performers. Some bits seems a little staged and rehearsed, but they didn’t disrupt the flow of the show. From seasoned, successful professionals to those struggling with their bills and hustling to live their underwater dreams, we get to meet an interesting set of people, some odd, some endearing.
Titled “No Dead Mermaids,” the first episode kicks off with a group of gorgeous ‘mermaids’ & ‘mermen’ gracefully performing in a tank, captivating the audience with their smiles and blowing kisses to the crowd. The kids, especially, are absolutely thrilled and in complete awe of the spectacle. But the moment the performers emerge from the water, their smiles wash off, their eyes are burning, and they inquire whether the pool guy went overboard with the chlorine dosage. It’s at that moment the illusion shatters. However, for the spectators, who never get to see what’s happening behind the scenes, the magic remains unbroken. Within the first minute of the documentary series, the essence of the mermaid industry is vividly portrayed – a contradictory fusion of enchanting fantasies and perilous realities.
Props to the creators for featuring older women who were mermaid performers in the 1960s at Florida’s Weeki Wachee Springs, a renowned water park. These performers played a significant role in showing children that being a mermaid could be a full-time job. While the mermaid industry is massive, with an estimated worth of half a billion dollars according to the creators, the show doesn’t delve deeply into many of the field’s issues. Instead, it focuses on a select group of characters and events, providing viewers with a surface-level understanding of the mer-person’s life. The cinematography is captivating, bright and has some mesmerizing shots of underwater performances.
Some of the key individuals in the series include Morgana Alba, the founder of Circus Siren Pod, who trains and hires some of the industry’s best talents. We also meet Brittany Sparkles, who works as a waitress to support herself while striving to establish a reliable career as a mermaid performer. Another fascinating person is Blixunami, a non-binary individual whose parents do not support their chosen lifestyle. Finally, there’s Eric Ducharme, who started as a merman at Weeki Wachee Springs when he was just seventeen. However, due to health issues, his father made him quit. Undeterred, Eric went on to become ‘The Mertailor’ and is renowned for creating some of the industry’s finest tails for performers.
The final episode features a colorful and fun mermaid pageant aboard a luxurious cruise ship, along with a heartwarming reunion of former mermaids in Florida. If the documentary’s premise intrigues you, you can catch it streaming on Netflix.
