The Shape of Water

Audience Reviews

View More (1000+)

Andrew A it was just a fun story that put a smile on my face. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/01/24 Full Review Daniela R La película es simplemente hermosa, la forma de llevar la relación y en la que te logra cautivar y emocionar es simplemente cine, Guillermo siempre logra llevar la fantasía a ese nivel Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/17/25 Full Review Ciara A Personally, I think it’s the most beautiful example of magical realism ever made. It’s not often that I watch a film and still feel it days later. But his complex characters, study of what it means to be human vs monster, and ability to make the fantastical still feel relatable is pure mastery. The warm, rich, stunning visual storytelling — which alone makes this a must-see — are simply icing on the cake. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/17/25 Full Review Kombucha P Wow, i just saw this for the first time today, and it was truly lovely. I remember back when it got oscar buzz not feeling that drawn to watching it, and i also feel like there was almost some slight stigma around it at the time- of people feeling like GDT was getting recognition for something that was not his best work or something- but i felt this was just delightful to watch. I dont know if anyone else has commented on this but i love del toro’s hellboy and this funnily enough felt to me like him exploring the love story that never got to fully come to fruition in hellboy 2 with abe sapian (who looks strikingly similar to the aquatic creature in this film). I have had mixed feelings about GDT’s work in the past, i feel like i love his style in theory but most films by him i’ve seen i like but dont love- they usually are visually beautiful to me and i like the strange ethos of them but then they don’t land the emotional impact they are aiming for correctly- and this felt like the best of both worlds personally. I love all the characters, i love the mom from paddington, i love the loner artist dude, i love the coworker accomplice and the russian scientist guy, and just how innocently benevolent they all are (except for the main antagonist who is also a great character). I love that by the end this feels like a beautifully modern homage to classic 50s romance movies. I love the ambiance of the world, i even love the more traditional movie structure that i think some die hard GDT fans mightve taken cross with. I really have a thing for the very cliche feel good movie trope of people who start out the movie feeling incomplete and having their lives made better and more fulfilling- and this is mostly that kind of movie. There seems to be a theme about everyone in the movie feeling incomplete in their lives, and the main character finds what shes subconsciously looking for via a very unexpectedly unconventional avenue- and then also has to deal with the possibility of being changed to the core by that thing and having to let it go. I wasnt sure how the ending would pull everything together but i feel like it was just right in ending where it did and not having to tie up every loose end and instead just focusing on making you feel something. The movie feels like an apt homage to love itself- at its best it does feel like a strangely extraterrestrial experience you get to be in a bubble with. Its why the relationship works and doesnt feel weirdly insterpecies or something- the emphasis isnt on why these two beings are different, you see why they complete each other instead. This may be a classic for me that i end up revisiting many times Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/10/25 Full Review Michael M. I certainly won't forget this movie any time soon. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/24/25 Full Review TheMovieSearch R The Shape of Water, directed by Guillermo del Toro and starring Sally Hawkins, Michael Shannon, and Octavia Spencer, is a film that is as imaginative as it is divisive. It’s a story layered with artistry, atmosphere, and bold choices, all wrapped in the kind of dark fairy tale style that only del Toro can pull off. Guillermo del Toro’s direction is nothing short of masterful. He knows how to weave a story that feels otherworldly yet grounded in real human emotion. The cinematography and lighting are hauntingly beautiful, painting the screen with shadows, muted colors, and a sense of melancholy that fits the narrative perfectly. It’s a film that demands attention and rewards those who surrender to its rhythm. That being said, The Shape of Water is absolutely an acquired taste. For me, while I was invested throughout my first watch, it was not something I could revisit again and again. The central love story between a mute woman and a mysterious amphibious creature is unconventional to say the least. While others may find it touching, moving, and symbolic, for me it was difficult to get behind the idea of intimacy between a woman and a fish-like man. It’s not that the film is “bad”—far from it—it’s simply one of those stories that either resonates deeply or doesn’t quite sit right with you. The performances elevate the material. Sally Hawkins is brilliant, effortlessly shifting between vulnerability, humor, and determination. She makes her character believable and sympathetic even in the strangest moments. Michael Shannon delivers a chilling performance as the antagonist, adding intensity and menace. And Octavia Spencer, as always, brings both heart and strength, providing balance to the darker edges of the story. Ultimately, The Shape of Water is a piece of cinema that I respect more than I personally love. Guillermo del Toro is a visionary director—quirky, bold, and unafraid to dive into the bizarre. His films often leave me impressed but not eager to revisit, and this one is no exception. Still, I recommend that everyone experience it at least once. It’s a unique work of art that pushes boundaries, challenges expectations, and—love it or not—leaves an impression you won’t soon forget. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 09/22/25 Full Review Read all reviews

The Shape of Water

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Most Popular at Home Now