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Dark comedy abounds in The Grown-Up Mermaid, an inventive and cheeky “where are they now” parody of The Little Mermaid. A welcome escape from the barrage of troubling headlines, the short comedy is available now to stream for free.

LOS ANGELES – From frequent collaborators KINCAID WALKER (Speechless, Hug It Out,
Unforgettable), JASON EKSUZIAN (Hug It Out, I Miss Drugs, Vanderpump Rules), and MATT STAUTER (Schmotts, DINKS, Copter), comes a darkly hilarious short film parody of The Little Mermaid packed with subversive references that will tickle fans of the 1989 animated film as well as the Hans Christian Anderson fairytale.

THE GROWN-UP MERMAID is a “where are they now” portrait that finds Princess Ariel (Walker) and Prince Eric (Stauter) slumped into a mediocre marriage that looks and feels nothing like the magical world “up there” Ariel sang so longingly about as a young mermaid. Eric has given up his trust fund and moved the struggling couple to Hollywood where he pursues his dream of being a stand-up comedian by delivering Postmates by day and bombing open mics by night. Ariel slings watered-down drinks at a sad lounge for crappy tips and the “opportunity” to sing for an indifferent crowd of professional drunks. It’s a cautionary tale Harry and Meghan might do well to heed.

The film has memorable appearances from recognizable co-stars Michael Nathanson (The Punisher, Wolf of Wall Street, The Knick), Parvesh Cheena (Crazy-Ex Girlfriend, The Goldbergs, Outsourced), Diahnna Nicole Baxter (Bosch, Scandal), and comedy team Etta Devine and Gabriel Diani (both of Diani & Devine Meet the Apocalypse).

The short is written by Walker and Eksuzian, with Eksuzian also helming the project as director. The story was originally conceived by Stauter who produces along with Walker and Eksuzian under their Twin Flame Films banner.

The film is now available to watch for free at www.thegrownupmermaid.com

Official trailer and photos: https://thegrownupmermaid.com/Trailer-and-Press-Kit

Interview and additional requests welcomed: [email protected]

Instagram @thegrownupmermaid