Every Man's Desire. One Woman's Curse.

Leigh lives secluded and isolated in the mountains woods, normalcy is in sight when a stranger is unaffected by her affliction.

Not be be confused with cleavage packed Siren (2011). Jesse Peyronel's 2013 Siren is a lost gem, a finely executed indie film from Osiris Entertainment that has managed to stay hidden away like its security surveyed main character. Directed and written by Peyronel it's a slow burning contemporary dark fairytale with widow-like imagery.

Opening with a voice over that says, "Once upon a time..." a flower and candle filled large house, there's a flashback to a boys encounter with a showered with gifts (well cast) young girl called Leigh. The set up is wonderfully played out by the child actors who set the stage of what's to come. The captivating Ali Larter-like Vinessa Shaw (of the Hills Have Eyes rehash) holds attention throughout, her blood is being bottled due to its attractive pheromone powers. She is cursed, everyone can't help but fall in love with her and their life is subsequently turned upside down. However, charming Robert Kazinsky (of Pacific Rim fame) is immune to her allure having lost his sense of smell. With a dodgy perfume company over arching the proceedings it gives this Posion Ivy setup a sense of scale on what is quite a reclusive tale. At times, its forcible sexual relations are a little uncomfortable and the stalker, rapey moments are provokingly questionable.

It's more grounded and sophisticated than Milan Todorovic's horror Killer Mermaids. Siren has a fairly paint by numbers outcome but it's beautifully shot and framed, benefitting from a somewhat novel premise as men go crazy over the potent smells. There's a melodic violin and piano driven score which gives it a mysterious lazy Sunday feel.

Overall, don't expect an action horror thriller. Peyronel successful commits to screen a twisted romantic character study in the guise of a deadly modern fairy tale. Recommended for adult fairytale fans.

Rating: 3 / 5