Netflix’s Sirens has captivated audiences with its layered storytelling, mythological undercurrents, and shocking finale. In the final episode, viewers are left with Simone (Milly Alcock) standing alone on a cliff, her expression unreadable, yet oddly peaceful. This ambiguous image has sparked countless theories. But now, showrunner Molly Smith Metzler offers her own insight into Sirens’ ending — and what Simone’s Mona Lisa smile really means.
A Finale That Was “Inevitable” — But Still a Surprise
Metzler, in a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, explained that she crafted the ending with careful attention, aiming to surprise viewers while making it feel emotionally earned:
“I didn’t want anyone to see it coming. But then when it comes, I wanted it to feel inevitable… We chose the take where Simone had a Mona Lisa smile. Her face is a little opaque.”
The smile, according to Metzler, can be interpreted in multiple ways. For some, it may signal victory — Simone has “won” and claimed a new life. For others, it’s a moment of sorrow, a quiet reckoning with the cost of her decisions. And for many, it may be both.
Sirens Was Always About Moral Ambiguity
At its core, Sirens is not just a mystery — it’s a story about choice. Each character makes decisions, often in morally gray areas. Simone chooses to escape her traumatic past by joining Michaela (Julianne Moore), only to fall into an affair with Michaela’s husband, Peter (Kevin Bacon).
Metzler wants viewers to ask themselves: What would I do in Simone’s place?
“If that ferry is leaving to take you back to trauma and destitute, what would you do?”
It’s this very question that haunts the show’s final image. The siren mythology is invoked — traditionally seen as monsters, Metzler challenges that idea. Perhaps the siren is not a villain, but someone who does what they must to survive.
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The Mona Lisa Smile: Power or Pain?
Simone’s expression at the end is intentionally ambiguous. She has gained access to wealth and status, but at what cost? She’s severed ties with her sister Devon (Meghann Fahy), and the future is uncertain. Metzler explains:
“There’s a version where she won, she’s a siren and hear her roar. And there’s a version that this is bittersweet and painful.”
That subtle Mona Lisa smile is the show’s final challenge to the viewer: decide for yourself. Your interpretation may say more about you than it does about Simone.
Will There Be a Sirens Season 2?
Netflix has not officially renewed Sirens for a second season, but the ending leaves the door open. Whether Simone’s story continues or not, the first season concludes with the message that every choice has a price, and the real tension isn’t in what happens next — it’s in how you feel about what’s already been done.
Source : screenrant.com
