Netflix launches Sirens with a magnetic first episode titled Exile. The show wastes no time in laying its foundation: a complex tale of power, sisterhood, and suspicion set against the deceptive calm of a wealthy seaside estate.
The story follows Devon DeWitt, played by Meghann Fahy. She knows something is wrong when her younger sister Simone suddenly stops answering her calls. The sisters have always had a complicated but unshakable bond. Silence has never been part of it. Simone has taken a job as a personal assistant to billionaire Michaela Kell, and the role brings her into a seaside mansion full of elegance and control. Devon senses danger and decides to go see her.
The mansion looks flawless. It is big, bright, and dressed in luxury. But Devon notices what others might miss. The staff act too careful. The calm feels staged. And Simone, although shining on the outside, carries a flicker of doubt in her eyes.
Fahy’s Devon brings energy and bite to every scene. She is sarcastic and blunt, but the emotion under it is clear. Every jab at Michaela or plea to Simone comes from love and fear.
Julianne Moore plays Michaela in a chilling way. She never yells or raises her hand. Her strength lies in how she makes people question themselves. Compliments sound generous at first but leave a sting. Smiles land with weight. Michaela controls a room without lifting her voice.
Milly Alcock’s Simone looks transformed in Michaela’s world. She dresses well and carries herself with new confidence. Yet when Devon presses her, you see hesitation. Her voice shakes when Michaela cuts in. Her eyes dart when Devon speaks truth. Simone wants to belong, but she also wants to be free. That conflict drives the heart of the episode.
Most of the story unfolds over one weekend. Conversations build like battles. Devon pushes to get Simone alone. Michaela always appears, calm and collected, to steer the moment back. Tension rises at the dinner table, in hallways, even in casual exchanges. By the end, Michaela still holds Simone close, while Devon leaves with more suspicion than answers.
Director Tanya Hamilton frames the setting with purpose. Wide shots remind you how isolated the estate is. Close shots box the characters in, showing the pressure of every choice. The mansion looks like a dream, but it traps everyone inside.
The writing trusts the audience. It does not explain everything. Michaela speaks in riddles wrapped in charm. Devon comes in with raw honesty. Simone stays caught between the two. Each scene adds weight without spelling it out.
By the time the episode ends, you know one thing: Simone is in deep, and Michaela’s hold is real. Devon can see it, the viewer can see it, but Simone cannot break free yet.
Exile sets the stage for a show that promises tension over spectacle. It is not about fast twists. It is about unease, family ties, and control that feels invisible but powerful. The wave is building, and the storm is near.
