Debapriya Bhattacharya
Created by Molly Smith Metzler based on her eponymous book, ‘Sirens’ tells the story of two sisters, Devon (Meghann Fahy) and Simone (Milly Alcock), set over a single weekend. After failing to reach out to her sibling while their father is facing early-onset dementia, Devon sets out in search of Simone to bring her home personally. To her surprise, she finds her at a posh retreat, working as the assistant to the owner, socialite Michaela Kell (Julianne Moore).
Wife to hedge fund billionaire Peter (Kevin Bacon), Michaela is preparing for a grand charity gala and invites Devon to stay over for the occasion. The latter soon realizes that her hostess leads a cult, and her sister has become embroiled in it with no way to escape. The dark comedy drama limited series on Netflix explores themes of sisterhood, mythology, and cult mentality, more of which can be experienced by audiences in the following list of shows similar to ‘Sirens.’
10. The Path (2016-2018)
‘The Path,’ created by Jessica Goldberg, follows Eddie Lane (Aaron Paul), an upstate New Yorker and member of the new-age spiritual movement, Meyerism. Eddie is joined in his faith by his wife, Sarah (Michelle Monaghan), and their children. Unknown to them, he has a vision that makes him question his faith, just as he is about to ascend the spiritual ladder. However, Sarah becomes aware of her husband’s crisis of faith, which leads to her own devotion being tested. Similar to ‘Sirens,’ ‘The Path’ explores the idea of cults and the disillusionment it produces on the human mind when one sees through the public facade.
9. Palm Royale (2024-)
Set in 1969, ‘Palm Royale’ follows Maxine Dellacorte-Simmons (Kristen Wiig), an outsider who leaves no stone unturned to become the queen of the high society in Palm Beach, Florida. The only way to do that is to become a member of the Palm Royale, the town’s most exclusive country club, and the meeting place for the richest, most fashionable, and deceitful people. Created by Abe Sylvia, the period comedy drama is based on Juliet McDaniel’s novel ‘Mr. & Mrs. American Pie.’ The treachery among the members of Palm Royale can be compared to the experiences shared by the sisters Devon and Simone in ‘Sirens,’ as they mingled with the rich and influential at the gala hosted by Michaela.
8. Gypsy (2017)
A psychological thriller drama created by Lisa Rubin, ‘Gypsy’ follows Jean Holloway (Naomi Watts), a successful clinical psychologist based in New York. While leading an apparently picturesque life with her family, Jean begins to overstep her professional boundaries as she becomes involved in the personal lives of her clients and forms relations with people close to them. The control and manipulation exerted by the character is similar to that of Michaela in ‘Sirens,’ with both shows diving deep into a maze of lies and deceit.
7. The Better Sister (2025)
‘The Better Sister’ follows estranged sisters Chloe (Jessica Biel) and Nicky (Elizabeth Banks) who get reunited following the murder of the former’s husband, Adam (Corey Stoll). A successful media executive, Chloe leads a very different life from her sister, who struggles with substance abuse. However, the tragedy that brings them together reveals stunning details upon investigation and forces them to confront their twisted family history. Created by Olivia Milch and Regina Corrado, the thriller revolves around sisters facing hidden truths after being reunited after a long time, much like ‘Sirens.’
6. Bad Sisters (2022-)
Created by Malin-Sarah Gozin, ‘Bad Sisters’ revolves around the five Garvey siblings, Eva (Sharon Horgan), Grace (Anne-Marie Duff), Ursula (Eva Birthistle), Bibi (Sarah Greene), and Becka (Eve Hewson), living in Dublin, Ireland. They find themselves at the center of an investigation following the untimely death of Grace’s abusive husband, John Paul (Claes Bang). While the sisters had indeed once plotted his demise, an insurance agent is determined to prove that they followed through in order to save his struggling business. The dark comedy show sets the same tone as that of ‘Sirens,’ with the sisters getting caught in the middle of a catastrophe seemingly beyond their control.
5. Killing Eve (2018-2022)
Based on the Villanelle novel series by Luke Jennings, ‘Killing Eve’ follows the titular character, Eve Polastri (Sandra Oh), a desk-bound MI5 security officer who gets the break she was desperately looking for when she gets tasked with capturing a talented assassin, Villanelle (Jodie Comer). While ruthless and efficient, the latter is extremely moody and attached to the material comforts of her way of life. As the two women go head to head, they become obsessed with each other in a way that surpasses professional boundaries. The creation of each of the four seasons of the show was led by a different female head writer. The dark comedy thriller follows the same themes of hidden truths and deceptions, and the bond between women that is the crux of ‘Sirens.’
4. The Perfect Couple (2024-)
Created by Jenna Lamia, ‘The Perfect Couple’ revolves around the unfortunate events that take place at the wedding of Amelia Sacks (Eve Hewson). A murder in the midst of the lavish wedding at the beach derails the event and turns everyone into a suspect. The thriller drama is based on a novel of the same name by Elin Hilderbrand. While ‘Sirens’ had the sisters get together and confront hidden truths about themselves and their surroundings, ‘The Perfect Couple’ sets the same tone but puts it on a grander scale, bringing the extended family together over the event that drives the plot.
3. Nine Perfect Strangers (2021)
Based on the eponymous novel by Liane Moriarty, David E. Kelley’s ‘Nine Perfect Strangers’ follows the titular characters who converge at a wellness resort for a 10-day retreat. Their hostess, Masha Dmitrichenko (Nicole Kidman), promises to heal them and transform their lives over the period. However, they soon realise there is more than meets the eye, after Masha informs them that they have been provided with a psychoactive drug with their meals without their prior consent. The guests lose their faith in her and themselves, and soon discover suppressed secrets about each other.
Many parallels can be drawn between ‘Nine Perfect Strangers’ and ‘Sirens,’ starting with the wealthy hostesses Masha and Michaela, both of whom seek to hold a position of influence in the minds of their guests. The shows follow the same genres of mystery and thriller, exploring the secrets of retreats meant for the affluent members of society.
2. Sharp Objects (2018)
‘Sharp Objects’ follows Camille Preaker (Amy Adams), an alcoholic crime reporter who has been institutionalized for self-harming. Following her release, she returns to her hometown of Wind Gap, Missouri, to investigate the disappearance of two young girls. However, it reunites her with her estranged family, including her judgmental socialite mother Adora Crellin (Patricia Clarkson). The investigation dredges up suppressed childhood trauma for Camille, such as the death of her younger sister, making her relate to the victims on a personal level.
Created by Marti Noxon, the miniseries is based on an eponymous book by Gillian Flynn. Adora’s social influence in ‘Sharp Objects’ is akin to what Michaela is gifted with in ‘Sirens.’ The relationship that Camille shared with her late sister is also comparable to what Devon and Simone once shared. The overall theme of a suspenseful thriller is maintained in both shows, making them prominent examples in the same genre.
1. Dead to Me (2019-2022)
Created by Liz Feldman, ‘Dead to Me’ follows Jen Harding (Christina Applegate), a realtor who has recently lost her husband in a hit-and-run accident, and Judy Hale (Linda Cardellini), who meets and befriends her at a support group. Judy claims to have lost her fiancé in a heart attack, but maintains a sunny disposition. As the bond between the women strengthens over time, Jen uncovers the truth about her friend with the potential to forever change her opinion of her. The dark comedy drama falls in the same genre as ‘Sirens.’ The support group for women where Jen and Harding meet is comparable to the cult led by Michaela in the latter series. The shifting dynamic between them is also comparable to the one between Devon and Simone.
Read More: What Does Sirens Mean, Explained
