From the play “Elemeno Pea” by Molly Smith Metzler, Netflix’s “Sirens” seems like a story we have come across on TV countless times. After her father is diagnosed with early-onset dementia, Devon (Meghann Fahy) tries in vain to reach out to her younger sister Simone (Milly Alcock), who, for her part, ignores the texts and sends a fruit basket instead. Following a jail stint for reasons we learn later, Devon heads to the coastal island where Simone works as a live-in aide to the irresistible and enchanting Michaela “Kiki” Kell (Julianne Moore).
Simone is seemingly addicted to this new, luxurious lifestyle as she manages the preparations for the bird sanctuary’s fundraising gala. As the first lady, dressed in pink and blue, handpicked by Michaela, Simone flashes her white teeth at every answer her sister poses for her. While this is the only version of Simone we know at this point, it’s clear from Devon’s reaction that this is not the sister she thought she had. This is strikingly different from the reality seemingly built around Simone. As fierce as the winds that batter the shores, this idyllic life begins to crumble, necessitating each of these three women to surrender to an Akrasitic version of themselves.