Sirens spins a complex web of characters, making it hard to determine who the true villain is. The new mystery dramedy has reigned over Netflix’s global charts for weeks, as audiences are thoroughly intrigued by the alluring characters and motivations in the five-episode miniseries. Sirens’ ending offers a ton of material to unpack, with some aspects left ambiguous as to the characters’ purposes and where their lives might be headed after the show. Not to mention, there are Greek mythology parallels to explore.

Sirens’ cast is led by up-and-coming stars like Milly Alcock (Simone) and Meghann Fahy (Devon) as well as veteran actors like Julianne Moore (Michaela) and Kevin Bacon (Peter). Each character has a critical part to play in the unfolding events, yet none of them is clearly evil or malicious. The series initially sets up Michaela to appear as some horrifying cult leader, but more of her story is unraveled over time, and the closing scene on the ferry almost entirely subverts everything we knew about her.

Sirens’ Complex Characters Don’t Give The Show One Main Villain

Every Character Has Made Some Questionable Choices

Of the four main characters, it’s impossible to determine one obvious villain. Each person has their strengths and their flaws, but they’re all profoundly human. Each of them does terrible things, but their motivations allow us to sympathize with them, making it hard to view them as an antagonist. They’ve all made mistakes and poor judgment calls to get themselves to where they are at the start of the series, and that makes it easy for them to view each other as villains at times, but the audience has the liberty of seeing every aspect.

Each person has their strengths and their flaws, but they’re all profoundly human. When the show begins, Devon views Michaela as a villain. She thinks Michaela has manipulated her sister and is essentially holding Simone captive, when really, Michaela is just a woman who married into wealth with an ultimately unhappy man, and has had to deal with terrible rumors surrounding her. Simone views her father as the villain, as he made her life terrifying from the get-go, and views Devon as an extension of him when she tries to get her to return to Buffalo. She even antagonizes her sister when she believes Devon is a threat to her job.

“You’re not a monster” is a critical quote at the end of the series that demonstrates many of the show’s most critical themes. Each of these women is vilified at some point by their respective love interests for acting in a certain way. Peter blames Michaela for his children being absent and for his unhappy life. Ethan blames Simone for not wanting to marry him and reciprocate his love. Raymond feels similarly about Devon, accusing her of not living up to his expectations while he cheats on his wife with her.

All of these men have made choices that have led to their current positions, but rather than take accountability for those actions, they blame the women in their lives.

All of these men have made choices that have led to their current positions, but rather than take accountability for those actions, they blame the women in their lives. We directly see Ethan fall off a cliff, then blame Simone for pushing him. We see Raymond actively messing up any chance of a steady life with his family by pursuing Devon. None of these men are ever accused of being monsters, but all the women are. Sirens is an examination of how men and women experience different consequences for their actions.

Peter Kell Is The Closest Character Sirens Has To A Major Villain

Peter Manipulates Each Of The Show’s Women

Peter seems like a relatively decent guy. He’s kind to his staff, appears to be fairly reasonable and understanding, and craves time with his children. However, it’s evident throughout the show that he’s the most manipulative character. Even though his wife ends up leaving him, Peter doesn’t feel like he experiences any consequences for kissing another woman. He’s constantly turning those around him against each other, even if it’s a subconscious choice, just by putting on a kind face and making himself out to be the good guy in any situation.

An important element to note is that Sirens episode 4 is titled “Persephone,” which ties to the aforementioned Greek mythology references. In mythology, Persephone was a goddess who became the Queen of the Underworld after being kidnapped by Hades. In the context of Sirens, this would make Peter Hades, with the island being the Underworld, and his wife being Persephone. If anyone is the villain, it’s Peter, who gets away with whatever he pleases due to his charisma and ability to seem reasonable.

Sirens’ Villain Subverts The Greek Mythology It’s Inspired By

The Sirens Aren’t The Monsters In The Netflix Miniseries

Sirens are mythical creatures in Greek mythology who are half-woman, half-bird, known for singing songs and luring men in with their beauty, only to cause their demise. In The Odyssey, Odysseus and his crew are lured in by sirens, and Odysseus is forced to rescue them from horrible fates. The Netflix TV series Sirens is an evident subversion of this myth, incorporating many of the same elements. Michaela is portrayed initially as a siren, carrying a bird and singing a song on her island in the dream-like opening sequence.

However, rather than Michaela being the villain who causes her man’s death, she’s the victim of a loveless marriage and a husband who blames her for his life rather than taking responsibility for his choices. By the show’s ending, Simone takes Michaela’s place as Persephone, remaining in the Underworld with Hades while everyone else leaves. Her choice to marry Peter was a cry for help, and Devon turned her head rather than devote herself to Simone again.

However, rather than Michaela being the villain who causes her man’s death, she’s the victim of a loveless marriage and a husband who blames her for his life rather than taking responsibility for his choices. By the show’s ending, Simone takes Michaela’s place as Persephone, remaining in the Underworld with Hades while everyone else leaves. Her choice to marry Peter was a cry for help, and Devon turned her head rather than devote herself to Simone again.