The Shape of Water

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2:20

The Shape of Water

R

Released Dec 22, 2017

2h 3m

Fantasy

Romance

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

92%

Tomatometer

465 Reviews

73%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Elisa is a mute, isolated woman who works as a cleaning lady in a hidden, high-security government laboratory in 1962 Baltimore. Her life changes forever when she discovers the lab's classified secret -- a mysterious, scaled creature from South America that lives in a water tank. As Elisa develops a unique bond with her new friend, she soon learns that its fate and very survival lies in the hands of a hostile government agent and a marine biologist.

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Critics Consensus

The Shape of Water finds Guillermo del Toro at his visually distinctive best -- and matched by an emotionally absorbing story brought to life by a stellar Sally Hawkins performance.

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Chris Bennion

Times (UK)

You’ll either be charmed by Hawkins’s ethereal, wordless performance or you won’t, but del Toro’s use of a vivid colour palette would impress anyone.

Feb 14, 2023

Full Review

Anupama Chopra

Film Companion

The Shape of Water is visionary filmmaking.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 6, 2018

Full Review

Robert Daniels

812filmreviews

So, while we know Elisa has humanity, Del Toro has to plead his case for the fish-man.

Rated: 3.5/4

Sep 5, 2018

Full Review

Preston Barta

Denton Record-Chronicle

Guillermo del Toro’s enchanting fairy tale comes alive [... in this] seamless blending of practical effects and CGI, showcasing [a] vibrant palette that immerses you in its surreal atmosphere.

Jan 15, 2025

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JD Duran

InSession Film

Guillermo del Toro’s The Shape of Water is a beautiful and fully realized film about loneliness and our desire for love.

Aug 7, 2024

Full Review

Diana Tuova

Spotlight on Film

Del Toro has made a film whose dark, sublime, watery beauty is indisputable, and whose story is as much an intriguing "beauty-and-the-beast" ballad as it is a captivating homage to the different and the extraordinary.

Rated: 4.5/5

Aug 2, 2024

Full Review

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Andrew A

it was just a fun story that put a smile on my face.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/01/24

Full Review

Goddess Of O

A visionary mystical film that suspends reality and makes something quite beautiful unfurl. Unmissable.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/18/25

Full Review

Ray T

A beautiful film with such spectacular meaning, and depth. Each and every character is so compelling in their own way. This is Del Toro's love letter to those of us who are different from others. Absolutely stellar.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/14/25

Full Review

Gabriela C

Um dos piores filmes que já vi na vida! Mal atuado, reitero ruim! Vivo me perguntando como que esse filme ganhou o oscar de melhor filme em 2018. Nunca mais gastaria meu tempo vendo isso!

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/07/25

Full Review

Ashley M

Please don't watch this film, I watched it 7 years ago and it is still on my mind how bad it is. I've made an account just to put this review as it is so bad

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/06/25

Full Review

Vance C

You can watch this and try and convince yourself that it doesn’t suck… but you’ll be wrong.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

12/30/24

Full Review

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Guillermo del Toro

Director

Sally Hawkins

Elisa Esposito

Michael Shannon

Richard Strickland

Richard Jenkins

Giles

Octavia Spencer

Zelda Fuller

Michael Stuhlbarg

Dr. Robert Hoffstetler

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Synopsis

Elisa is a mute, isolated woman who works as a cleaning lady in a hidden, high-security government laboratory in 1962 Baltimore. Her life changes forever when she discovers the lab's classified secret -- a mysterious, scaled creature from South America that lives in a water tank. As Elisa develops a unique bond with her new friend, she soon learns that its fate and very survival lies in the hands of a hostile government agent and a marine biologist.

Director: Guillermo del Toro
Producer: Guillermo del Toro, J. Miles Dale
Screenwriter: Guillermo del Toro, Vanessa Taylor
Distributor: Fox Searchlight
Production Co: Double Dare You, TSG Entertainment
Rating: R (Language|Graphic Nudity|Sexual Content|Violence)
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 22, 2017, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 23, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA): $63.3M
Runtime: 2h 3m
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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