The Lure (2015)

[Scottie]

This genre-defying horror-musical mash-up—the bold debut of Polish director Agnieszka Smoczyńska—follows a pair of carnivorous mermaid sisters drawn ashore to explore life on land in an alternate 1980s Poland. Their tantalizing siren songs and otherworldly auras make them overnight sensations as nightclub singers in the half-glam, half-decrepit world of Smoczyńska’s imagining. The director gives fierce teeth to her viscerally sensual, darkly feminist twist on Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Mermaid,” in which the girls’ bond is tested and their survival threatened after one sister falls for a human. A coming-of-age fairy tale with a catchy synth-fueled soundtrack, outrageous song-and-dance numbers, and lavishly grimy sets, The Lure explores its themes of emerging female sexuality, exploitation, and the compromises of adulthood with savage energy and originality.

DIRECTOR-APPROVED SPECIAL EDITION:

High-definition digital master, supervised by director of photography Kuba Kijowski, with 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack on the Blu-ray
New program about the making of the film, featuring interviews with director Agnieszka Smoczyńska, actors Marta Mazurek and Michalina Olszańska, screenwriter Robert Bolesto, Kijowski, composers Barbara and Zuzanna Wroński, sound designer Marcin Lenarczyk, and choreographer Kaya Kołodziejczyk
Deleted scenes
Aria Diva (2007) and Viva Maria! (2010), two short films directed by Smoczyńska
New English subtitle translation
PLUS: An essay by writer Angela Lovell

https://www.criterion.com/films/29061-the-lure

[demonknight]

Best movie of the year so far (considering it was released in the US this year)

[Scottie]

Release date: October 10, 2017

OP updated with specs.

[javi92]

Been waiting to see this since the reviews have come out at all the different festivals. Definitely looking forward to it.

[Hubunkey]

Cool, but this doesn't scream criterion to me like most of their other new film releases. This looks more like something Scream Factory would put out

[Bradsdadg]

I have not seen this one, but am pretty interested in it. I think it is a good fit with Criterion, they have some others that are more on the odd/weird end

[El_Fez]

I saw this a couple of years ago at the Seattle International Film Fest.

I have to hand it to Lure: this is the best Polish New Wave rock opera mermaid horror movie I've ever seen. It's very stylized and visually it looked great, and had some great music in it. However the script has some serious leaps in logic and doesn’t quite fit together correctly. I suspect that this is one of those movies that will vary wildly person to person.

I give it three Splashes out of five

[monorail91]

I loved this movie and can't wait to own it on Blu-ray. I bought the soundtrack a couple weeks ago and I listen to it at least once every day.

I wrote a review of it here back when I saw it in theaters if anyone's interested. Lmk your thoughts!

[Scottie]

Just a heads up that the theatrical poster can be purchased for $25.00 through Criterion's website.

[JezelleGHartman]

Wasn't sure I'd like this but this movie is f*cking awesome! Makes total sense now why criterion would release it. Loved it. If you liked SPRING 2014 then you'll love this movie

[prkchopexpress]

this seems so weird... I kinda have to see it

[wonkavision]

Watched this last night for the first time and really thought it was cool and weird.

[Scottie]

REVIEW




PACKAGING

[Member-167298]

This movie looks so bizarre. I definitely need to see it. Added to my Netflix disc queue.

[Namuhana]

Yeah, I'm really looking forward to this one. It'll be first in my cart whenever the flash sale begins.

EDIT: Nope, couldn't wait. I just ordered it from Amazon.

[monorail91]

Re-watched it last night after getting to see it in theaters earlier this year. Loved it the first time, and the second viewing was even more enjoyable - catching the elements of foreshadowing and dread that build up throughout.

Releases like this are why I'm SO thankful for Criterion / Janus. This is an (undeniably) weird movie, blending multiple genres, with a disco soundtrack. It could so easily have slipped through the cracks and never gotten international attention. Thanks Criterion for bringing Silver and Golden into my life!

[Doctor Jack]

Watched this for the first time ever just now and absolutely loved it. I already want to watch it again. Can’t say that about too many movies that come out these days. If only I spoke Polish, I would definitely make it a point to memorize all of the gloriously bizarre songs.

[cheez avenger]

Watched this over the weekend and loved it. It's up there with my favorite musicals like Hedwig and the Angry Inch and Phantom of the Paradise.

[formula_nebula]

Originally Posted by cheez avenger

Watched this over the weekend and loved it. It's up there with my favorite musicals like Hedwig and the Angry Inch and Phantom of the Paradise.

I don't really care for musicals myself, but this one I highly enjoyed. Will have to revisit it again soon.

[Leonidas King]

One of the best blind buys I’ve recently done from Criterion.

I’m hooked to “The Bed” from the soundtrack