Florida Man Finds a Mermaid in Horror Comedy Film ‘Mermaid’ Trailer

by Alex Billington
March 4, 2026
Source: YouTube

“Daddy’s gotta go save a mermaid.” Utopia has unveiled an official trailer for a funky indie comedy about a Florida Man called Mermaid, about a guy who finds a mermaid and brings her home. But yep – this one is less about the mermaid, more about what a kooky Florida Man would do with a new mermaid friend & what happens when everyone else finds out (hint: it’s not good). Mermaid premiered at last year’s 2025 SXSW Film Festival (one year ago) and opens in the US this April. A drug addicted Florida man finds a wounded mermaid at his lowest point. When word spreads about his secret, he’ll stop at nothing to protect her. This stars Johnny Pemberton as Doug, Avery Potemri as the mermaid he names “Destiny”, Kevin Nealon, Kirk Fox, Julia Larson, Devyn McDowell, Tom Arnold, with Robert Patrick & Kevin Dunn. The reviews are actually quite good – stating: “the film hangs on Pemberton’s performance, and he imbues Doug with a sweetness that makes us feel for him despite his deeply misguided actions.” This looks super weird & wacky – they don’t show the mermaid in this trailer because it turns into a horror story at one point. Freaky.

Here’s the official trailer (+ poster) for Tyler Cornack’s comedy Mermaid, direct from YouTube:

Doug is an awkward Florida drug addict. Divorced and alone, he shares custody of his young daughter with his ex. Doug’s reeling from losing his job at a local strip club, where he takes care of the fish in the aquarium. Things are beyond bleak — so Doug zips his boat out into the Gulf to end the pain of his reality. But at his lowest point, he discovers an injured Mermaid creature clinging to life. For Doug, it’s a sign from the Universe – so he brings her home, gives her shelter in his tub & begins to nurse her back to health. He even names her Destiny. As their rapport blossoms, word of his secret gets out & he’s forced to protect his new friend by any means necessary. Mermaid is written and directed by American indie filmmaker Tyler Cornack, director of the films The Pocketeers, Butt Boy, Tiny Cinema, and the “Tiny Cinema” series previously. Produced by Daniel Brandt, Cole Eckerle, Dane Eckerle. This first premiered at the 2025 SXSW Film Festival last year. For more info visit the film’s official site. Utopia debuts Cornack’s Mermaid movie in select US theaters starting April 8th, 2026 coming up in spring. For more info visit the film’s official site.

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