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Queen of the Sea

Name: Queen of the Sea
Director: John G. Adolfi
Released: 1918
Duration: 50 min

Representation Score

1.1/10

Minimal

1918

Passed

Director

John G. Adolfi

Runtime

50 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Queen of the Sea places a woman at the center of the action. Merrilla actively pursues a mortal body and soul by saving four human lives, making her the narrative engine rather than a passive prize. The film’s casting is entirely white, and its romance is strictly heterosexual. No LGBTQ+ characters or relationships appear, and no characters with disabilities are shown. Culturally, the story rewards heroic sacrifice with spiritual transcendence, reinforcing traditional Western moral ideals. These choices reflect the limited representation norms of 1918.

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Category Breakdown

Does Queen of the Sea have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

No LGBTQ+ characters or same-sex romance appear in the film. The story centers on a heterosexual romance between the mermaid Merrilla and Prince Hero.

How does Queen of the Sea portray gender?

Good

A woman leads the plot as the active protagonist. Merrilla drives the narrative by choosing to save four human lives to earn a mortal body and soul.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Queen of the Sea?

Minimal

The cast is entirely white. The fantasy setting features no characters of color, and no casting choices cross traditional racial expectations.

How does Queen of the Sea represent religion and culture?

Minimal

The film promotes traditional Western ideals of romance and spiritual transcendence. Merrilla’s goal is to gain an immortal soul through heroic sacrifice, framing selfless action as morally superior.

Does Queen of the Sea include disability representation?

Minimal

No characters with physical or mental disabilities appear. The plot relies on fantasy elements rather than portraying disability as a lived experience.

Present on Screen

A woman protagonist actively drives the plot through her own choices.
The lead role highlights female athleticism and physical capability.

Limited or Absent

The cast lacks racial and ethnic diversity.
No LGBTQ+ characters or relationships are present.

Official Synopsis

Annette Kellerman, the Australian swimming star of the early 1900s, made a number of films, most of them in the 1910s, which displayed her athletic skills. Most of these films were underwater fantasies, and this one was no exception. Here, Kellerman is Merilla, a mermaid who is the "Queen of the Sea." Not satisfied with being a mermaid, she wants a mortal human body with an immortal soul. She discovers she can achieve this if she saves four human lives.

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