MERMAID

(director/writer: Tyler Cornack; cinematographer: Joel Lavoid; editor: Cole Eckerle; music: Tyler Cornack; cast: Johnny Pemberton (Doug Nelson), Avery Potemri (Destiny), Nancy McCrumb (Mother), Robert Patrick (Ron Bocca), Kirk Fox (Skip), Kevin Dunn (James Morris); Runtime: 105; MPAA Rating: NR; producers: Cole Eckerle, Dane Eckerle, Daniel Brandt; Candy Pictures; 2025)

“No mermaid pic has ever looked so weird.”

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz

Writer/director Tyler Cornack’s (“Butt Boy”/”Tiny Cinema”) hybrid film blends together an oddball horror story, a twisted romance story, a satire on America’s spiritual void, and a tall tale about a loser desperate to find redemption for his wasted life. In other words, it’s another absurd film from Cormack, intended to be a “love letter to Florida.”

Doug Nelson (Johnny Pemberton) after his divorce is broke, owes big bucks to dangerous mobsters and is strung-out on meth. He  relaxes on his yacht listening to music and sipping a cocktail while off the Florida coast. He soon discovers an injured mermaid (Avery Potemri), he names Destiny, on the boat, and brings her back to shore for treatment. But he falls madly in love with her despite her ugliness and decides to keep her for himself.

Mob enforcer Ron (Robert Patrick) and his henchmen come around to collect the debt, and Doug shows him what he’s got in his bathtub hoping to cut a deal.

The film is played straight. The performances are lovable. Pemberton’s over-the-top performance is priceless. No mermaid pic has ever looked so weird.

It played at the SXSW Film Festival.

REVIEWED ON 4/2/2025  GRADE: B
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