Deadline reports that the film Reptilia stars Mikey Madison as Anora, a central figure drawn into a world where a mermaid becomes the guiding mystery. The project places Anora at the heart of a narrative that blends submerged myth with a sharp, contemporary atmosphere. As the story unfolds, the mermaid’s presence triggers a collision of ambition, danger, and desire that pulls the audience into a strange, breathless landscape beneath the surface. The character’s choices set in motion consequences that ripple through the drama, inviting viewers to question who holds power in a world where treasure and secrets lie just beneath the waves.
Together with Kirsten Dunst, Alejandro Landes, a director originally from Colombia and Ecuador, is steering Reptilia toward a mood of taut tension and lyrical imagery. The collaboration signals a cross-cultural approach to storytelling, where cosmopolitan production values meet intimate character studies. The film uses a title that hints at danger and strange ecosystems, and Deadline notes that the pairing of Dunst with Madison promises a dynamic on screen as the two actors navigate loyalties, betrayals, and revelations within a mermaid-centered narrative.
At the center of the film’s plan sits a hygienist dentist who becomes increasingly drawn into the world of exotic animal trade after encountering the mermaid. The dentist’s clinical routine collides with the mermaid’s mythic qualities, creating a tension between ordinary day life and the unknown currents of the sea. This setting allows the film to explore questions of ethics, commerce, and wonder while the environment shifts from sterile offices to the shadowy edges of marine fantasy. The mermaid’s fascination with the animal trade becomes a metaphor for desire and risk, pulling both characters into ethical gray areas.
Mikey Madison carries the weight of Anora with a blend of resolve and vulnerability. The project also features Anora alongside names like Sean Baker in early production conversations, and the film’s path toward recognition has fueled conversations about Oscar potential within industry circles. The combination of Madison’s performance and the evolving production team signals a project that aims to leave a lasting impression on festival and awards circuits.
On the eve of production, director Alexander Molochnikov discussed his conversations with the film’s producer about the direction and tone of Anora’s world. He described plans to lean into atmosphere, texture, and precise character motivations, building a cinematic space where the mermaid’s legend can resonate with contemporary audiences. The discussions underscored a strategy to blend international collaboration with intimate storytelling, hoping to attract partners who share a bold vision for the project.
Molochnikov later explained that the energy of artists from Russia and Armenia helped sustain the film through early development, lending resilience, texture, and a sense of shared purpose. That cross-cultural energy is described as a catalyst for inventive sequences, cultural references, and a heightened sense of scale that supports the Mermaid narrative. The director’s remarks emphasize the value of diverse creative voices in crafting a film that aspires to universal resonance.
Industry observers note that the project has attracted attention from prominent figures in music and media, including reports that Elton John discussed soundtrack directions with the production while conversations about AI protections and rights grow louder. Deadline continues to trace these developments as Reptilia moves toward production and eventual release.