The Shape of Water

Name: The Shape of Water
Genre: Adventure, Drama, Thriller, Fantasy, Horror
Released: December 1, 2017
Duration: 123 min
Rating: 87
Cast: Cyndy Day, David Hewlett, Doug Jones, John Kapelos, Lauren Lee Smith

2017

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 53 Critics

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 881 Ratings

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7.0

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7.0	Your Score
7.0	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 881 Ratings

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The Shape Of Water

Movie Details & Credits

Fox Searchlight Pictures | Release Date: December 1, 2017

Starring: Cyndy Day, David Hewlett, Doug Jones, John Kapelos, Lauren Lee Smith, Michael Shannon, Michael Stuhlbarg, Morgan Kelly, Nick Searcy, Nigel Bennett, Octavia Spencer, Richard Jenkins, Sally Hawkins, Stewart Arnott

Summary: Set against the backdrop of Cold War era America circa 1963. In the hidden high-security government laboratory where she works, lonely Elisa (Sally Hawkins) is trapped in a life of silence and isolation. Elisa's life is changed forever when she and co-worker Zelda (Octavia Spencer) discover a secret classified experiment.

Director: Guillermo del Toro

Genre(s): Adventure, Drama, Thriller, Fantasy, Horror, Romance, War

Rating: R

Runtime: 123 min

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Awards & Rankings

19	#19 Best Movie of 2017
16	#16 Most Discussed Movie of 2017
16	#16 Most Shared Movie of 2017

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Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

The Telegraph - Robbie Collin

Aug 31, 2017

Like the best bath you’ve ever had, it sends tingles coursing through every part of you that other films don’t reach. Read full review

100

Los Angeles Times - Kenneth Turan

Dec 7, 2017

The Shape of Water is a wonder to behold. Magical, thrilling and romantic to the core, a sensual and fantastical fairy tale with moral overtones, it’s a film that plays by all the rules and none of them, going its own way with fierce abandon. Read full review

100

Empire - Olly Richards

Feb 12, 2018

Describe it and this sounds completely weird and a bit creepy, like some extremely niche fetish porn with a budget. Watch it and it’s magical; fantastic in all senses. It’s the biggest risk of del Toro’s career and it could not have paid off more. Read full review

Austin Chronicle - Marc Savlov

Dec 6, 2017

A romance of fantastique proportions, a cautionary tale that revels in throwing caution to the wind, and a de facto monster movie with loose but loving ties to director Jack Arnold’s classic "Creature From the Black Lagoon" and Cocteau’s "Beauty and the Beast," del Toro’s latest is a masterpiece of compassion and insight into the (in)human condition and the transformative power of love. Read full review

Rolling Stone - Peter Travers

Nov 29, 2017

The result is an acting duet that will haunt your dreams and break your heart. Read full review

CineVue - John Bleasdale

Aug 31, 2017

It's witty, smart and brilliantly played, plumbing the sub-aqueous depths of our psyches, our histories and desires. Read full review

Observer - Rex Reed

Dec 19, 2017

The more I try to find some kind of justifiable meaning and relevance, the more I find The Shape of Water a loopy, lunkheaded load of drivel. Not as stupid and pointless as that other critically overrated piece of junk "Get Out," but determined to go down trying. I call this one "Maudie Meets the Creature From the Black Lagoon." Read full review

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User Reviews

PAYAMFURY

Dec 3, 2017

گیلرمو دل تورو کارگردان توتنمند و عالی این روز های سینما است.او از وقتی که پسر جهنمی رو ساخت مشهور شد و این فیلم رومنس و هیجان انگیز عالی که با بازی عالی مایکل شنون است فیلم شهکاری رو ارائه میدهد.گیلرمو دل تورو کارگردان توتنمند و عالی این روز های سینما است.او از وقتی که پسر جهنمی رو ساخت مشهور شد و این فیلم رومنس و هیجان انگیز عالی که با بازی عالی مایکل شنون است فیلم شهکاری رو ارائه میدهد.

20 of 59 users found this helpful2039

CTHReviews

Sep 11, 2018

Wow. I never would have thought a movie where a lady f*cks a fish would be any good, but in a way, I was right. It was a brilliant film. It goes beyond the whole fish-f*cking and actually puts it in the perspective of characters trying to find meaning in life. Great job, Del Toro.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

BrianMcCritic

Jan 26, 2018

This is the type of rare film that can include several genres and do them all justice. At its core The Shape of Water is a love story that is more believable than many human only love stories (Fifty Shades). This is amazing achievement. A

2 of 8 users found this helpful26

pnoyfilmtvadik

Feb 25, 2018

Another beauty-and-the-beast re-interpretation combined with voice or platform for society's underdogs. Nothing new. The highlight of the film for me is how del Torro gradually elevated the pacing of the film. Character introduction and revelation is not too dull but the rest is good.Another beauty-and-the-beast re-interpretation combined with voice or platform for society's underdogs. Nothing new. The highlight of the film for me is how del Torro gradually elevated the pacing of the film. Character introduction and revelation is not too dull but the rest is good. Left me feeling light after leaving the cinema.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

d0vla11

Jan 2, 2019

What the hell have I just watched? This movie won 4 Oscars (the best Oscars actually), are you kidding me? Can't say the acting was bad and all, but everything else was **** and not developed enough, even the plot was so predictable from the very beginning. Oscars really have become a one big ****

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Ridgeamorde

Jan 5, 2018

I'm sorry but this movie is just not as good as people would make it out to be. There were some good parts but overall I'd say it's too stupid, unrealistic, and just overall bad. I could already tell what was going to happen at the end before the movie hit the halfway mark. The actors, whileI'm sorry but this movie is just not as good as people would make it out to be. There were some good parts but overall I'd say it's too stupid, unrealistic, and just overall bad. I could already tell what was going to happen at the end before the movie hit the halfway mark. The actors, while skilled, were held back the the horrendous script that was completely irrational. Maybe I just don't get it or something, but it seems like it's trying too hard. I think it deserves a four. I would definitely not see it again.… Expand

8 of 13 users found this helpful85

FranKenweenie

May 29, 2018

okay first of all i give the point for the visual effect but how the f... you made fast paced movie and boring at same time, the nude scenes was cringey the main character not just mute she is also stupid this is not just "fantasy" its also beyond unrealistic

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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