But one that has a fine cast, especially in the lead roles. I wonder if Carla and Rufus are invited to Horror conventions. But back to this movie, that has a nice creature feature feel to it. You know where this is going, you also realize where the motivation of the main actors comes from.That doesn't mean you'll agree with their decisions at all. It's really obvious and predictable and made a bit better because of the acting at hand. That doesn't mean you'll like it, but the make-up on the "creature" is really good. Also they didn't "hide" her upper body, so there is partial nudity (not from Carla G. though, just in case you were wondering). Overall a nice little film that does what it says on the box (apart from the fact that there weren't more than one of these)

Released to TV and video in 2001, "Sea Creature" is about a couple of carnies (Rufus Sewell & Carla Gugino) in the early 20th century who come across a real mermaid in Ireland (Rya Kihlstedt), which they apprehend and intend to transport to America as a freakshow attraction. Horror ensues. Reno Wilson and Gil Bellows are also on hand.Originally called simply "Sea Creature" the movie was unnecessarily burdened with the overlong title of "Mermaid Chronicles Part 1: She Creature," which doesn't make sense since there's no "Part 2," although the ending leaves room for that possibility.The movie plays like a modern-day Hammer flick with elements of "Bram Stoker's Dracula," "Species" and "Alien/Aliens." While it lacks the budget of those three films, the production is comparable to those Hammer horror movies that take place during the Victorian era. "Sea Creature" also shares similarities to 1961's haunting "Night Tide" with Dennis Hopper, which also was about a (possible) mermaid. There are three basic settings in the movie: The opening carnival sequence that segues into a (sorta) castle sequence and, lastly, the long ship sequence that takes up the bulk of the story. The last one reveals the greatest weakness of the movie in that sailing on a ship is a limited setting, which makes for a little dullness here and there, but the flick makes up for it with an over-the-top horrific last act. The renowned Stan Winston was on hand as producer and you can tell with the excellent F/X of something revealed at the end, which is on par with the Aliens, Predator, and Pumpkinhead movies. No kidding.While a TV movie, "Sea Creature" is adult-oriented in that the mermaid is top-nude the entire movie (the horror, the horror!) and there's at least one overt simulated sex scene. Keep in mind, however, that the movie was shooting for realism and not raunch; not to mention that redemption and comeuppance factor into the equation.BOTTOM LINE: Despite a couple of dull or dubious scenes, "Sea Creature" delivers the goods for those who appreciate Hammer's haunting Victorian-era films, as well as movies like "Bram Stoker's Dracula," albeit understandably no where near as lavish as Coppola's film. Carla shines in both beauty and acting chops, as does Rya (who's been married to Bellows since 1994); and Sewell plays a superlative protagonist. "Sea Creature" shows that a quality product can be made on a TV budget.The film runs 91 minutes and was shot in California.GRADE: B+

Surprisingly effective TV movie set in the early 1900s about an Irish carny couple (Gugino and Sewell) who steal an imprisoned mermaid (Kihlstedt) with plans to put her on display in America. But the trip over proves deadly to just about all, as this stunningly beautiful mermaid is not what she appears to be. The acting is topnotch for a TV movie, and the claustrophobic atmosphere aboard ship (it's the Marie Celese, folks!) is scary at times. This is no "Little Mermaid" type fantasy, but a bloody good horror movie with surrealistic overtones. Kihlstedt as the mermaid is incredibly sexy and terrifying at the same time. The doomed ship with its supernatural presence aboard is right out of Bram Stoker's novel Dracula. And anyone who is familiar with the sirens in Greek mythology will know where this is ultimately going. A very intense and nightmarish horror flick whose subtitle, SHE CREATURE, is a nod to a schlocky 1950s monster movie of the same name. For you guys who might be tempted to turn this off, thinking it's a chick flick in disguise, be aware that Kihlstedt is naked throughout, and Gugino, who is no slouch in the sex appeal department, has a sweaty, noisy roll in the hay with Sewell halfway through. Lucky Rufus. For that matter, Kihlstedt and Gugino share their very own intimate moment.

If you meet some bloke with a mermaid in his basement, and he tells you that it's a murderous thing which killed his wife, then it might just be a good idea to believe him and not steal it to take it to America to feature as the main attraction in your freak sideshow. Because, you see, the mermaid might not have watched the Disney feature. No, it might have watched Nosferatu instead, and got the idea that it ought to be killing the crew of the ship one by one during the voyage.This movie is a blending of Creature From The Black Lagoon, Nosferatu, Splash, Species, and Alien. But it's quite a good one. It summons up the Gothic feel of the 1960s Corman horrors, particularly with the initial unconvincing process shot of the house next to the sea - this shot both summons up the Corman films and also makes you think that the film is likely to be technically much worse than it is. But the nostalgic Corman-like atmosphere is offset by a distinctly modern-day take in terms of partial nudity, an element of raunchiness and occasional bad language.The mermaid is an effective and original creature (and Stan Winston's work has always been wonderful - oh how he is missed!) and Carla Gugino gives a performance which, frankly, is considerably classier than a cheap horror deserves. Others have commented on her English accent: I endorse this.This is a decent and atmospheric old-school horror, delivered with some modern-day sensibilities.