• Home
• The Shape of Water

Page

The Shape of Water

• Summary
• How to watch
• News & features

❚ We may earn commission from links on this page. Our editorial is always independent (learn more).

Watch trailer

02:39

The Shape of Water

Save

• Fantasy
• Romance

• 2017
• Guillermo del Toro
• 118 mins
• 15

Summary

Romantic fantasy drama starring Sally Hawkins and Michael Shannon. Elisa, a non-speaking woman, works as a cleaner in a top-secret US government facility during the Cold War. When she forms a connection with a mysterious being who is imprisoned there, she decides to help him escape, despite the close watch kept on him by the creature's obsessive captor.

Ad

Powered By

IMDB

Review

A star rating of 4 out of 5.

Damon Wise

There are monster movies and there are Guillermo del Toro's monster movies, but this Oscar-winning fantasy should not be confused with the more teen-friendly likes of Hellboy and Pacific Rim. Sally Hawkins plays Elisa, a mute office cleaner who works at a high-security government lab, where aviation technology is being developed. One day, her curiosity is piqued when a strange container is wheeled in. The tank contains a beautuful webbed fish-man (a prettified nod to the occupant of the Black Lagoon), and Elisa is smitten. The real monster of the piece, however, is Michael Shannon's ice-cold Colonel Strickland, who sees the creature as an abomination. Elisa gets wind of Strickland's plans to vivisect her new friend, to further the fledgling Nasa programme, and her race to save him adds a genuinely tense climax to a surprising and striking adult fairy tale.

imdb-square

7.3/10

How to watch

Loading

Streaming

• Prime Video
• Disney+
• Sky Store

Credits

Cast

rolenameElisa EspositoSally HawkinsRichard StricklandMichael ShannonGilesRichard JenkinsZelda FullerOctavia SpencerDr Robert HoffstetlerMichael StuhlbargAmphibian manDoug JonesFlemingDavid HewlettMr ArzoumanianJohn KapelosGeneral HoytNick SearcyElaine StricklandLauren Lee Smith

Show more

Crew

rolenameDirectorGuillermo del Toro

Details

Theatrical distributor

20th Century Fox

Released on

2018-02-14

Languages

English | Russian | French

Guidance

Violence, swearing, sex scenes and nudity.

Available on

DVD and Blu-ray

Formats

Colour

News & features about The Shape of Water

• 
  
  After the Golden Globes some Oscar races already look tied up – but here's why we shouldn't rule out upsets
  
  Previous years suggest that the Oscars could well go in a different direction to the Globes.

• 
  
  The Inbetweeners star Simon Bird's movie casts Paddington and Sherlock stars
  
  Pretend I'm Not Here is described as "a powerful story for our times".

  Ad

• 
  
  When is Frankenstein out on Netflix? Streaming release date for Guillermo del Toro adaptation
  
  The new take on Mary Shelley's iconic gothic novel is almost upon us.

• 
  
  The perfect Valentine's Day movie to watch this week based on your star sign – from The Notebook to One Day
  
  Tarot and horoscope columnist and author Kerry Ward explains what Valentine's week has in store for you – and reveals the best movie for you to watch based on your star sign. Who's feeling sentimental and nostalgic? And who needs to learn to let go of their need for control?

• 
  
  ★★★★★ Frankenstein review: Guillermo del Toro's gory and glorious creation is a triumph
  
  Saltburn's Jacob Elordi delivers a standout performance in this beautiful adaptation of the classic novel.

• 
  
  Sinners might have missed out on best picture, but make no mistake – the 2026 Oscars were the best yet for horror
  
  A raft of major wins – including for Michael B Jordan and Weapons star Amy Madigan – suggest the genre is finally being treated with the respect it deserves.

• 
  
  Why Frankenstein does not deserve to be left out in the cold in the Oscars 2026 best picture race
  
  In a particularly standout year for horror, this would be a historic win for the film, which adapts and improves upon Mary Shelley’s original material.

  Ad

• 
  
  The presenter reveals his favourite film scores from Star Wars to Inception - but which is best?
  
  As Classic FM counts down the Movie Music Hall of Fame, Jonathan Ross reveals his favourite film themes.

• 
  
  Frankenstein review: Guillermo del Toro's gory and glorious creation is a triumph
  
  Saltburn's Jacob Elordi delivers a standout performance in this beautiful adaptation of the classic novel.

• 
  
  Oscars 2025: The case for Dune Part Two to win Best Picture
  
  With the Academy failing to see science fiction as serious business too often, Denis Villeneuve's sequel should be recognised for a remarkable achievement that transcends genre.

• 
  
  Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein: Release date speculation, trailer and latest news
  
  The Mexican auteur has long planned to make a film based on Mary Shelley's classic novel – and it's coming to our screens soon.

See more about The Shape of Water

Ad

Ad

Ad