Lady in the Water

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Lady in the Water

PG-13

Released Jul 21, 2006

1h 50m

Fantasy

Drama

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Popcornmeter

25%

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212 Reviews

49%

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250,000+ Ratings

When Cleveland Heep (Paul Giamatti) rescues an enigmatic young woman (Bryce Dallas Howard) from danger, little does he know that she is a character from a bedtime story, who is trying to return to her world. As he falls deeply in love with her, he begins to realize that he and fellow tenants are also characters in the fable, and they must work together to protect her from those who would prevent her from returning home.

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Critics Consensus

A far-fetched story with little suspense and unconvincing scenarios, Lady In The Water feels contrived, pretentious, and rather silly.

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David Ansen

Newsweek

Still, the multicultural cast is fun, the images have a painterly beauty and there are some beguiling comic touches before the story sinks into a swamp of solemn metaphysical glop.

Feb 6, 2018

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Brian Tallerico

UGO

It's a fairy tale that never flies the way it should.

Mar 24, 2007

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Roger Ebert

RogerEbert.com

[Perhaps it's] improvised and protracted, nonsensically and unnecessarily, just for the sake of stringing us along. And, maybe, putting us to sleep.

Rated: 1.5/4

Sep 13, 2006

Full Review

Rory Doherty

InSession Film

If you watch Lady in the Water, I don’t think you’ll get the feeling that Shyamalan loves his craft. He just loves that he made it.

Jun 17, 2024

Full Review

Jonathan Weber

Out Magazine

Nothing works in this film; it’s boring and incomprehensible, laughable when it should be inspiring.

May 25, 2022

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Sergio Benítez

Espinof

Shyamalan proves once again to be a filmmaker who knows how to take advantage of some highly ridiculous scenarios and situations. [Full Review in Spanish]

Apr 16, 2020

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David F

M.Night is an amazing writer, Lady in the Water is in my eyes his best writing , the cast were fantastic, I'm a huge fan of M.Night Shyamalan and all his stories /movies are brilliant amazing and very imaginative.the movie can teach you a lot of you pay attention, M.Night Shyamalan do you're thing, you're an amazing writer great actor and have one beautiful imaginative mind. I love your work. Lady in the Water is with our a doubt my all time favorite movie.. David J. Federico

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/01/25

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Dennis D

Such a beautiful film. I've watched this so many times. Never gets old. Just beautiful.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/25/25

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Anna B

I’m not sure why people hate on this movie so much. I personally love it and think it’s really interesting and enjoyable

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/28/24

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Billy R

I don’t get why people don’t like this movie. It really is good and ultimately enjoyable

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/06/24

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Emmy W

I love this movie. It's basically a bedtime story. It's not meant to be taken as seriously as critic reviews seem to think it should. I personally like all of M.Night's movies and this one is no exception.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/30/24

Full Review

Joshua S

OMG, this movie is horrible, and also one of the most boring fantasy films I’ve ever seen. Bad acting, bad writing, bad directing, and also the plot twist in this movie is stupid. If anyone is a horror or fantasy fan, I recommend not to watch this film.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

07/28/24

Full Review

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M. Night Shyamalan

Director

Paul Giamatti

Cleveland Heep

Bryce Dallas Howard

Story

Jeffrey Wright

Mr. Dury

Bob Balaban

Harry Farber

Sarita Choudhury

Anna Ran

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Synopsis

When Cleveland Heep (Paul Giamatti) rescues an enigmatic young woman (Bryce Dallas Howard) from danger, little does he know that she is a character from a bedtime story, who is trying to return to her world. As he falls deeply in love with her, he begins to realize that he and fellow tenants are also characters in the fable, and they must work together to protect her from those who would prevent her from returning home.

Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Producer: M. Night Shyamalan, Sam Mercer
Screenwriter: M. Night Shyamalan
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Production Co: Blinding Edge Pictures, Legendary Pictures, Warner Bros.
Rating: PG-13 (Some Frightening Sequences)
Genre: Fantasy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 21, 2006, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 4, 2009
Box Office (Gross USA): $42.3M
Runtime: 1h 50m
Sound Mix: Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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