The Chronology of Water

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The Chronology of Water

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2h 8m

Biography

Drama

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90%

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72 Reviews

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

Oscar-nominated actor Kristen Stewart makes her feature directorial debut with The Chronology of Water, an unflinching portrait of womanhood, survival, and artistry at the fragmented crossroads of memory and memoir, adapted from the book of the same name by Lidia Yuknavitch. Imogen Poots stars as Lidia, a young woman who finds escape from an abusive home through competitive swimming in the 1980s. After her athletic dreams are derailed, she navigates love, loss, addiction, sexuality, and her own self-destructive impulses while discovering her voice, and healing, through the transformative act of writing.

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Critics Consensus

Navigating a journey of emotional healing with impressive fluidity, Kristen Stewart's feature directorial debut is ably shouldered by Imogen Poots' bracingly naturalistic performance.

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Robert Abele

Los Angeles Times

2d

What obviously matters to Stewart is the totality of experience and “The Chronology of Water,” arty and naturalistic in equal measure, is no toe-dip into directing — it’s deep-end stuff from start to finish.

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Thelma Adams

AARP Movies for Grownups

2d

3/5

Imogen Poots creates a stunning portrayal of the swimming prodigy who front-crawls her way out of the gutter... The film’s central flaw, not unlike that of some swimmers, is that it slows to a bit of a slog.

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Mick LaSalle

San Francisco Chronicle

3d

3/4

You can love or hate “The Chronology of Water,” but if you don’t come away from it marveling at the brilliance of Poots’ performance, you just weren’t paying attention.

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Abhishek Srivastava

The Times of India

2h

3/5

Stewart explores difficult truths without holding back, and with Poots’ towering performance at the center, her pain feels more believable. The film may unsettle some viewers, but those who understand personal struggle may find it meaningful.

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Sarah Vincent

InBetweenDrafts

1d

9/10

The Chronology of Water’s abstract visual language is reminiscent of Train Dreams lyrical and picturesque montages except punk, raw, and jagged.

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Todd Jorgenson

Cinemalogue

2d

A ferocious portrayal by Imogen Poots propels this uneven yet powerful glimpse into the lingering effects of childhood trauma.

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19h

Excellent directorial debut for KStew.

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Joe C

@JoeinAtl 20h

An ambitious film, artfully shot and wonderfully played, that is perhaps more than a first time director should have tried for. Imogen Poots is a rare talent who totally lives her character, but the source material seems to be sketches rather than narrative, and depressing.

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cheena j

@cjbknyc 1d

Exceptional debut by Kristen Stewart. Imogen Poots is stellar. The movie truly shows the depth, suddenness, and complexity of trauma and memory. Also, the 16mm format is exquisite. And the fact that it is visualized in a way that is sometimes not linear adds to the dynamism of the whole film.

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Megan H

@casualmoviewatcher 1d

You need an open mind for this one. There were parts I liked, there were parts I didn’t like… but it made me feel things which is what art is designed to do. I think this might be one of those films where you need to read the book before you watch. I have not read it and there were parts where I thought to myself…who’s that and where did they come from? For the people who need it (because I tried to research and didn’t find much context) this is heavy on nudity, intercourse, SA, and addiction. It doesn’t feel gratuitous or sensationalized but there is a lot of it. Personally, I could have done without the rope scene and the girls weekend. (Yes, I am aware the rating and the summary imply the context is mature…but always good to make informed choices.)

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1d

Sets a new bar for filmmakers. Loved every frame. Incredibly directed.

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Justina C

@Justina 2d

Eloquent, unique, devastating

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Kristen Stewart

Director

Imogen Poots

Lidia

Thora Birch

Claudia

Jim Belushi

Ken Kesey

Tom Sturridge

Devin

Charlie Carrick

Actor

The Chronology of Water: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Oscar-nominated actor Kristen Stewart makes her feature directorial debut with The Chronology of Water, an unflinching portrait of womanhood, survival, and artistry at the fragmented crossroads of memory and memoir, adapted from the book of the same name by Lidia Yuknavitch. Imogen Poots stars as Lidia, a young woman who finds escape from an abusive home through competitive swimming in the 1980s. After her athletic dreams are derailed, she navigates love, loss, addiction, sexuality, and her own self-destructive impulses while discovering her voice, and healing, through the transformative act of writing.

Director: Kristen Stewart
Producer: Maggie Mclean, Dylan Meyer, Michael A. Pruss, Rebecca Feuer, Charles Gillibert, Yulia Zayceva, Max Pavlov, Svetlana Punte, Kristen Stewart, Andy Mingo
Screenwriter: Kristen Stewart
Distributor: The Forge
Production Co: Scott Free Productions, CG Cinéma, Forma Pro Films, Nevermind Pictures
Genre: Biography, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 9, 2026, Limited
Box Office (Gross USA): $18.6K
Runtime: 2h 8m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital