Poster for The Shape of Water

The Shape of Water

2017, drama, fantasy, love

123 minutes

An other-worldly story, set against the backdrop of Cold War era America circa 1962, where a mute janitor working at a lab falls in love with an amphibious man being held captive there and devises a plan to help him escape.

Last rated on

?

Recommended

7.2

based on 6 users

8.5

based on 42 critics

By similar critics

Create an account or log in to see what your similar movie critics say about this movie.

By other critics

10

2018-01-18

It’s a complete film that works resoundingly on every level. Read more

10

Rob Wallis of Of All The Film Sites

2017-10-11

An enthralling fairy-tale entirely of Del Toro’s creation.

10

Derrick Carter of Are You Not Entertained?

2018-02-14

If you want to see an out-of-the-ordinary romance that is romantic but not conventional by any means, then dive into this wondrous cinematic oddity.

10

2018-02-07

Filled with symbolism, imagery, and love, Mutie and the Beast will have you falling for a fish. Read more

10

2018-02-05

Guillermo del Toro’s beautiful, brutal and brilliant romantic fantasy fairytale is a classic. Read more

10

2017-12-28

Boasts a spellbinding and original story with wonderful acting and characters. Read more

10

2018-02-02

Witty, intelligent and shocking at different turns. Read more

10

2017-12-29

And that is exactly what it is: magical. Read more

10

2018-01-02

Painfully beautiful, and masterfully delivered, Guillermo Del Toro’s literal fish-out-of-water love story is immersive, original and, frankly, wonderful. Read more

10

2018-01-07

Breathtaking and gorgeous. Grotesque and macabre, beautiful and timely. Read more

9.0

2018-02-26

A spellbinding alternative love story... Read more

9.0

Ernie Trinidad of Ernie Trinidad

2017-11-12

May not be perfect but it is hands down one of the best films of the year and certainly del Toro's best film to date.

9.0

2017-11-15

Elegantly blends whimsical fairy tale with a fresh spin on classic monster movies for a delightful experience. Read more

9.0

2017-09-01

A visually sumptuous, brilliantly performed and timeless piece of cinema. Read more

9.0

2018-01-23

It’s emotional, thrilling, funny, suspenseful… everything one would want in a period romance, and then some. Read more

9.0

2018-01-24

With Del Toro at his finest, expect to be jaw-dropped with the magnificence of the visuals. Let yourself be hastened into this unforgettable water slide ride. Read more

9.0

Konstantinos Pappis of FilmView

2018-02-18

The tale may be as old as time, but the execution is unmistakenly modern, soaked in layers of self-awareness and ambiguity...

8.0

2018-02-01

An excellent film that tells a compelling unconventional love story with strong characters, excellent visuals and a wonderfully developed setting. Read more

8.0

2018-02-04

A madcap tale of lonely souls and an impeccably crafted celebration of cinema... Read more

8.0

2017-12-12

Splendid. It had an artistic and theatrical feel to it, and each moment fit perfectly with what was happening on screen. Read more

8.0

2017-12-04

This film will cause a turn-off point for some or a lightning rod of fascination for others. Read more

8.0

Evan Popplestone of Cinema's Fringes

2018-02-09

Del Toro is a director who understands the wonder and power of fantasy...

8.0

2018-02-14

Del Toro tells so many stories within the grander narrative, giving each character the right amount of attention and allowing them to contribute their best to the story. Read more

8.0

Alice Bishop of Alice Bishop

2017-10-11

A knockout fantasy-for-adults fairy tale...

8.0

2018-03-08

It's a surprisingly direct and straight-foward fantasy romance that doesn't shy away from incorporating horror and thriller elements... Read more

7.0

2018-01-21

An engaging adult fairy tale that has more than enough charm for a full film of enjoyment. Read more

7.0

Jason King of Salty Popcorn

2018-01-10

It is gloriously beautiful and acted to perfection but I never fully engaged with the movie.

6.0

2017-11-22

The Shape of Water's most glaring issue is its uneven tone. Its potential to become a classic family film (one ideal for any parents wishing to introduce their kids to the joys of the monster movie) is overturned by del Toro's obsession with graphic violence and, most jarringly, graphic nudity. Read more

5.0

2017-11-27

It may be unique, but it’s not effective. Read more

In other languages

10

2018-02-14

Een onvergetelijke filmervaring, een ode aan de allesoverstijgende liefde tussen twee eenzame zielen. Read more

9.0

2018-02-15

Een zwierig sprookje. Het werk van een macabere geest met een heel klein hartje. Read more

9.0

2018-06-09

Is als uitdagend volwassen sprookje dat tot leven komt in een grimmige sfeer van Koude Oorlog-experimenten een schot in de roos voor de Mexicaanse filmmaker. Read more

9.0

2018-01-05

De castleden leveren voortreffelijk teamwerk... Read more

8.5

2018-05-06

Je wordt snel meegenomen in het sprookje... Read more

8.5

2018-05-06

Laat voor deze film ruimte voor fantasie en ga niet af op logica, dan zal The Shape of Water je zeker weten te raken. Read more

8.5

2018-02-21

Een dromerig, liefdevol en modern sprookje. Voor het overige is het verhaal redelijk inwisselbaar. Read more

8.0

2018-06-15

Een prachtig sprookje over de onwaarschijnlijke liefde tussen een troosteloze stomme vrouw en een amfibisch wezen uit de Amazone. Read more

8.0

Paul Hauer of Filmliefhebber

2018-06-04

The Shape of Water is dan ook mooi en zielig.

8.0

Paul Hauer of Filmliefhebber

2018-02-23

Niet alleen de decors en de bijpassende muziek maken The Shape of Water uniek, maar ook de doeltreffende make-up effecten en special effects...

8.0

2018-01-28

Een sprookje voor volwassenen. Jaren '60, stijl noir, met een mooie art deco vormgeving. Read more

7.0

2018-02-14

Ondanks dat de film uiteindelijk volledig opgaat in het sprookjesverhaal, wordt het allemaal nergens heel erg bijzonder. Read more

7.0

2018-02-14

Het is veel, het is ambitieus; maar de kans om de prachtige emotionele kern van het verhaal nog iets uit te diepen blijft wel onbenut. Read more

7.0

Luca Eikelbeck of De Filmrecensent

2018-02-10

Visueel ziet deze film er goed uit, maar het was voor mij een groot slaapfestijn. Read more

6.0

2018-03-31

Zonder twijfel is Guillermo del Toro een meester in visualiseren en een ware visionair. Maar telkens blijf ik op mijn honger zitten. Read more

What is Veboli?

Veboli provides personal movie advice, so you can easily choose the right movie to watch. Learn more

Stay up to date?

Read the Veboli blog

Instagram
Instagram
LinkedIn
Twitter

Got a question?

Send us a message

English

Largescale poster for The Shape of Water

Distribution

10

9

8

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

0

Distribution

10

9

8

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

0

Report an issue

If there is something inappropriate in this review, please report it.

Report sent

Submit