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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

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Scarlet S

I love the story, it was like a Beauty and the Beast vibe. I like that it was a sign language kind of movie, it didn't really have much of talking it was mostly about emotions, and how you could feel it through the screen, and it was fabulous.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/14/25

Full Review

Kobi A

Such a strong year for movies, such a forgettable Best Picture winner. The direction and score are fantastic; Del Toro and Desplat definitely earned those Oscars, but the story is largely uninteresting and the slow pace doesn't help matters. Michael Shannon's character is kind of a joke and not really intimidating, and even though I love weird stuff in movies I draw the line at fish sex. Oh, and that scene in the movie theatre? Painfully pandering. You're better than that, Guillermo.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/07/25

Full Review

João Vinícius A

There are a legion of people who still think The Shape of Water is a complete horror show, but in my humble opinion, this film is far from being "so-so", in other words, it is a true masterpiece that very few people really understand. Sally Hawkins has never been as brilliant and recognized as before, and her performance alongside the formula is something that will stay with you for days. In addition, the romantic scenes between the couple are so well done and so engaging that, even if it borders on madness, it feels like I was hypnotized and being carried away by a strong and gentle current. Congratulations, Guillermo Del Toro, you did what you know how to do and then some.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/30/25

Full Review

Waniya S

Since it was a romantic movie, I would have appreciated more scenes where they emotionally connect with each other. Put it was all shown through one perspective. The scenes were cute but I would have enjoyed more if there weren't just crumbs.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/29/25

Full Review

Ali H

Fantastical, otherworldly genius

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/06/25

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: TSG Entertainment, Double Dare You
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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