Julianne Moore and the Influence of “All About Eve” on Netflix’s “Sirens”
When it comes to the classic film “All About Eve” directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz and starring Bette Davis and Anne Baxter, Julianne Moore is known to be one of its devoted fans.
Molly Smith Metzler, the creator of Netflix’s hit series “Sirens” where Moore plays a mysterious philanthropist, revealed that Moore is a fan of “All About Eve.” The 1950 classic had a significant impact on the making of “Sirens,” with director Nicole Kassell frequently referencing the film during production. Metzler mentioned, “I believe that she and the cast talked about it at length and watched it at length. I can’t testify to that, but I do believe that’s what happened.”
The creative team behind “Sirens” recently gathered for a screening of “All About Eve” with Variety to discuss the timeless classic and its relevance to their own series that explores the evolving power dynamics of three women.
Metzler, along with writer and executive producer Colin McKenna, cinematographer Greg Middleton, and editor Catherine Haight, joined forces to kick off the Variety 120 Screening Series presented by Barco. This summer-long program, hosted by Jazz Tangcay, celebrates Variety‘s 120th anniversary by showcasing iconic films and engaging in insightful discussions.
“Sirens” follows the story of Devon (Meghann Fahy), a woman from Buffalo, N.Y., who cares for her father and seeks help from her sister Simone (Milly Alcock). However, Simone is living a lavish lifestyle on a secretive island estate controlled by Moore’s character Michaela. The team drew parallels between Simone and Baxter’s Eve, as well as Michaela and Davis’s Margo.
Although “All About Eve” had a subconscious influence on the creative team behind “Sirens,” Metzler emphasized that they chose not to portray Simone as a straightforward villain. She explained, “I think the show sort of asks you to decide if she’s a monster or not. [Eve is] a sort of traditional villain, and I think Simone has ingredients of that, but we try to have more fun.”
McKenna highlighted a key difference between Eve and Simone in their approach to their pasts, stating, “We find out that Eve has been lying about her backstory and kind of covering up a darker, sadder story. And with Simone in ‘Sirens,’ she is lying about her past, but it’s actually a really sad story, and it’s almost kind of opposite.”
Middleton noted that “Sirens” offers a different viewing experience compared to “All About Eve” by evoking empathy for the central character. He explained, “The one big difference between this and the film tonight is that you feel something for Simone. I don’t think I feel anything for Eve.”
The team also discussed the female gaze present in “Sirens,” contrasting it with the male gaze of “All About Eve.” Metzler mentioned how they aimed to portray Michaela in a hypnotic light, shifting the perspective from the traditional portrayal of female characters in film.
“Haight touched on the tonal similarities between “All About Eve” and “Sirens,” which balances drama, humor, and satire. She remarked, “When we started to get the footage in post, to me it was very clear what the tone was, even though it was unusual…it was very hard to think of a comp. But it’s funny because this movie sort of is.”
