It is always fun to watch a flick not made by Hollywood, because you never know what the story or director might be going for. I'll give this team an A for effort. All the main actors were natural and believable. The tone was consistent in some ways but had some over the top comedy hijinks towards the end. You know I was fine with some comic relief, we laughed. Female characters were well fleshed out, yet the male parts were mostly a combination of mean, aggressive, and comedy. I suppose it fits their description of a feminist voodoo mermaid flick.
One thing I had hoped for was less year 2022 Hollywood/politics in movies. I didn't read the descriptions going in so was open to whatever. I haven't seen Chen's other movies to get a feel, but this one sort of ticked off all the current political tropes I was hoping to avoid. Women good, man bad. Even more so, white man bad. Check. Friends/couples must be different races. Check. Non-standard sexuality, check. It wasn't overbearing at least, and I could see these gals being friends just fine, so I could enjoy the movie no problem.
The actors: Kirkpatrick was able to portray various styles quite well. Rose had perhaps the most nuanced portrayal, you could see something haunting in those close-ups, well done. Graham was believable as an abused, broken young lady. Trieu was interesting as someone I've perhaps witnessed as (I'm guessing she is adopted based on her character's generic white American name) the somewhat spoiled adopted kid that cares about friends but is perhaps too selfish to be the heroine. Oliviér seemed genuine and likeable... I think she spoke like a counselor would. Scott was a great choice as a voodoo monster with a slight attitide... her annoyed demeanor while sitting high and dry with the fish tail was funny.
What could have been done a little better- near the end I couldn't tell who was on which team as the struggle near the water unfolded. Also I would have enjoyed more local color... Kirkpatrick's accent was natural, but one of the thug's was more Civil War confederate than natural. One extra with a true Cajun accent would have been nice.
Random things I liked about the setting: The weird houses on stilts, the general store, tubing in muddy water, cypress knees, and an invasive bamboo forest all were nice touches... felt like Southern Louisiana. The idea of a voodoo mermaid was strange yet fun.