Frightfest 2024: ‘Mermaid Legend’ Review
Stars: Jun Etoh, Mari Shirato, Kentarō Shimizu, Seiji Miyaguchi, Junko Miyashita, Yoshiro Aoki, Takashi Kanda | Written by Takuya Nishioka | Directed by Toshiharu Ikeda
As FrightFest unveils its line-up each year, part of the fun is seeing what cult gems they have unearthed to show on a large screen. Amongst 2024’s line-up was Mermaid Legend, a 1984 feature from the late Toshiharu Ikeda (Evil Dead Trap) that had never been released in any format internationally or played at a film festival outside of its native home of Japan. In celebration of the film’s 40th anniversary, this rare exploitation film is rightfully given the chance for a brand-new audience to appreciate it.
The story introduces viewers to fisherman Keisuke Saeki (Jun Etoh) and his pearl-diver wife, Migiwa (Mari Shirato). They are newlyweds who may be growing at odds with each other, but love still remains between them. After witnessing a murder late one night, Keisuke finds that nobody believes him. Things worsen when the fisherman is soon killed by greedy land developers, leaving Migiwa framed for her husband’s murder.
With the help of Shouhei (Kentarō Shimizu), her late husband’s friend, Migiwa manages to find shelter in a brothel on a nearby island. As the past threatens to never let go, the widow begins focusing on revenge against the yakuza responsible.
Working off a script from Takuya Nishioka, director Ikeda crafts a tale of revenge that is bloody brilliant (emphasis on bloody). Wrapped up around that is an ecologically relevant narrative where polluting the world offers financial gain for corporate figures, making it a choice worth destroying livelihoods and lives over. Corporate greed once more rules the roost, and those in charge are more than willing to commit some murder to get their way.
Playing the character central to this ordeal, Mari Shirato delivers a phenomenal performance as the poor wife whose life is shattered. She initially reacts to the horrifying turns with despair, with each change in circumstance weighing upon her until she finds a newfound focus on delivering payback. A special mention is deserved for Kentarō Shimizu, who captures Shouhei’s torn allegiances between protecting his deceased friend’s wife and living up to his father’s example.
It is worth pointing out that the film does not contain actual mermaids, so anybody expecting the mythical creature will be disappointed. However, there are a lot of fantastically shot underwater sequences that capture the allure of diving in and exploring a submerged world. The beauty of these sequences is tremendously contrasted with the violence, as the blood-soaked vengeance bursts forth to paint the scenes red with arterial spray. It leads the narrative towards a breathless final act that is equally cathartic and horrifying, as Migiwa’s steely determination is unbreakable amidst an onslaught which magnificently makes the body count rise. Mermaid Legend is a fantastic gem that deserves to be seen by more people and recommended widely.
****½ 4.5/5
Mermaid Legend screened as part of this year’s Frightfest London.
