Richard Benjamin’s brilliant family comedy-drama movie “Mermaids” follows a neurotic teenage girl — Charlotte Flax, played by Winona Ryder — who moves with her wayward mother and younger sister to a small town in Massachusetts in 1963.
Based on Patty Dann’s 1986 novel of the same name, it also stars the likes of Cher, Bob Hoskins, and Christina Ricci.
“Mermaids” was released on December 14, 1990, meaning it recently turned 35 years old. With that in mind, wouldn’t it be interesting to see how the iconic core cast of the film look now, compared to how they did when it hit theaters? Let’s do exactly that…
Cher (Rachel Flax)
GettyIconic singer and actress Cher played Rachel Flax, aka Mrs. Flax, in “Mermaids.” Rachel is the carefree and rebellious 31-year-old single mother of Winona Ryder’s Charlotte. She relocates whenever she ends a relationship — in this case, to the small town of Eastport, Massachusetts, where she gets a job as a lawyer’s receptionist and meets a man she begins a new relationship with.
Age when “Mermaids” released: 44.
Selected movie credits before “Mermaids”: Mask (1985), The Witches of Eastwick (1987), Moonstruck (1987).
GettyAge now: 79.
Selected movie credits after “Mermaids”: If These Walls Could Talk (1996), Tea with Mussolini (1999), Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Bob Hoskins (Louis “Lou” Landsky)
GettyBritish actor Bob Hoskins played Louis “Lou” Landsky in “Mermaids.” Lou is a shoe store owner in Eastport who begins a relationship with Cher’s Rachel Flax.
Age when “Mermaids” released: 48.
Selected movie credits before “Mermaids”: The Long Good Friday (1980), Brazil (1995), Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988).
GettyAge now: Sadly passed away in 2014 aged 71.
Selected movie credits after “Mermaids”: Hook (1991), Super Mario Bros. (1993), Unleashed (2005).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Winona Ryder (Charlotte Flax)
Getty“Stranger Things” star Winona Ryder played Charlotte Flax in “Mermaids.” Charlotte is a 15-year-old neurotic and devoutly conservative girl who moves to Eastport with her mother. There, she becomes enamored with the 26-year-old driver of her school bus.
Age when “Mermaids” released: 19.
Selected movie credits before “Mermaids”: Beetlejuice (1988), Heathers (1989), Edward Scissorhands (1990).
Age now: 54.
Selected movie credits after “Mermaids”: Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992), Girl, Interrupted (1999), Black Swan (2010).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Michael Schoeffling (Joseph “Joe” Peretti)
Former actor and model Michael Schoeffling played Joseph “Joe” Peretti in “Mermaids.” Joe is the school bus driver with whom Charlotte Flax becomes enamored. He also works as the caretaker of a nearby convent.
Age when “Mermaids” released: 30.
Selected movie credits before “Mermaids”: Sixteen Candles (1984), Vision Quest (1985), Let’s Get Harry (1986).
GettyAge now: 65.
Selected movie credits after “Mermaids”: Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken (1991).
Schoeffling retired from acting in 1991. According to Molly Ringwald in an interview with Access, Schoeffling is now a carpenter and, having kept his life incredibly private since leaving showbusiness, even his co-stars have lost touch with him. There are, therefore, sadly no recent pictures of him.
Filmography info per IMDb.
Christina Ricci (Kate Flax)
Above is a social media post showing Christina Ricci (left) on the set of “Mermaids” with Winona Ryder in 1990.
A very young Christina Ricci played Kate Flax in “Mermaids.” Kate is the 9-year-old daughter of Cher’s Rachel Flax and the sister of Winona Ryder’s Charlotte Flax.
Age when “Mermaids” released: 10.
Selected movie credits before “Mermaids”: N/A.
GettyAge now: 45.
Selected movie credits after “Mermaids”: The Addams Family (1991), Casper (1995), Sleepy Hollow (1999).
Filmography info per IMDb.
“Mermaids” is a movie filled with great performances. It’s quirky, charming, and occasionally darkly funny, with a standout performance from a young Winona Ryder. It’s well worth a watch if you haven’t seen it before.
May Bob Hoskins rest in eternal peace.
