In the gripping film, Bad Fish (2024), Brad Douglas illustrates deeply enthralling fusion of folklore and horror. The film unfolds in the town of Brookings, Oregon, where John Burton, a marine biologist, is called upon to cover the ongoing fisherman attacks leading to homicides. Surprising of his existence, the perpetrator is not a human but a mermaid.
At first thought, the notion of Bad Fish appears to be outrageous. But Douglas has an original and captivating take on the mermaid’s myth. She is characterized as a ruthless new life form aiming only of finding a partner to reproduce and hence, lives in danger. The unexpected use of mermaids as sinister lets the observer question the representation of the character in fairy tales.
This particular American story is based on themes of perseverance and redemption, while tracking the protagonist who slowly breaks away from his childhood roots into the wide possibilities of American streets. The quiet yet chilling perspective breaking fall of the character represents the seamless transitions America offers. Actually, this destructing and repulsive angle of unique ambition exists because the world creates possibilities that fuel the transformation itself. Crossing curves, time zones and networks, the man finds himself into middle America, away from the sea breezes and palm trees of Hawaii yet the enchanting scenery of American landscape brings him peace until he tosses into the chaos of New York Times Square and society’s expectations as it breaks down an entire world built by his father’s nurturing. It’s a conflict between two worlds captivity vs the freedom the man used to know. Feeling lost, unmotivated and unable to establish a print for himself, he spends years searching only to find himself and his true passion against all odds.
In its loss of innocence theme, the casting and characterization are further strengthened by the supporting actors. In the role of Abby’s grandmother Phyllis, Marlyn Mason acts as the town’s librarian, providing vague details about the origin of the mermaid. Mark Schneider who plays Skip Porter, a curious fisherman expresses doubts while Scott Ford’s role of Ben Burns, the town’s cursed local, knows more than what is timely.
The villain of the story; the mermaid is played by Abby Wathen and she does a glorious job. It is the type of performance that can be called both overly impressive as well as frightening because of the fact that the creature is portrayed as attractive but deadly. There’s a reason why the mermaid is searching for a mate and that is to cause the kill, making the plot even more scary and furious as she wreaks havoc on anyone near her in search of a mate.
Yet where Bad Fish could have gone into camp, its vigorous direction and equally spirited performance brings it back. There is a gradual increase in the build up across the film, ending in a nail biting, engaging climax. The more fantastical parts of the tale are counter balanced by the more fanciful parts so that the film should appeal to all creature feature and thriller film fanatics alike.
To summarize, Bad Fish is a good thriller exceeding one’s expectations. With such a different angle how it incorporates horror, folklores and suspense, it is one of the films that is able to stand out from other horror based films; it shows that there is always a more sophisticated edge to an outlandish premise if handled properly.
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