The Shape of Water Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A mute cleaning lady falls in love with a fish man she finds at work and they decide to flood her apartment so they can date, angering her bigoted boss.

🍿 The Shape of Water: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Lonely Life

In 1962 Baltimore, Elisa Esposito, a mute woman, works as a cleaning lady at a high-security government laboratory. She lives a solitary life, her closest companions being her neighbor Giles, a struggling artist, and her co-worker Zelda. Her routine involves daily acts of simple pleasure, like boiling eggs and watching old movies, highlighting her yearning for connection.

Discovery of the Amphibian Man

Elisa’s life takes an extraordinary turn when Colonel Strickland brings a mysterious creature, an Amphibian Man, to the lab. Captured in the Amazon, the creature is subjected to cruel experiments. Elisa, drawn to his vulnerability, begins to secretly visit him, offering food and companionship. They communicate through sign language and music, forging a unique bond.

A Risky Rescue

Learning that Strickland intends to vivisect the Amphibian Man, Elisa resolves to save him. With the help of Giles and Zelda, she devises a daring plan to break him out of the lab. Meanwhile, Dr. Hoffstetler, a scientist with his own secrets, becomes conflicted about the creature’s fate and offers his assistance, adding another layer of intrigue.

Hiding the Creature

After successfully freeing the Amphibian Man, Elisa hides him in her apartment, filling her bathtub with saltwater. They spend time together, deepening their emotional connection. Their relationship becomes increasingly intimate, blurring the lines between human and creature. However, their secret is precarious, and the threat of discovery looms large.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Elisa Esposito (Sally Hawkins): A mute cleaning lady who forms a deep connection with an amphibious creature.
• Amphibian Man (Doug Jones): A captured amphibious creature who develops a romantic bond with Elisa.
• Richard Strickland (Michael Shannon): The cruel and determined government agent who sees the Amphibian Man as a threat.
• Zelda Fuller (Octavia Spencer): Elisa’s supportive coworker and friend who helps her communicate and aids in the creature’s escape.
• Giles (Richard Jenkins): Elisa’s closeted gay neighbor and friend, an artist who assists in rescuing the Amphibian Man.
• Dr. Robert Hoffstetler (Michael Stuhlbarg): A scientist and Soviet spy who initially studies the Amphibian Man but later aids in his escape.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Giles: “If I told you about her, what would I say? That they lived happily ever after? I believe they did.” – Said in a voiceover at the end of the movie, reflecting on Elisa and the Amphibian Man’s love.
• Giles: ““Unable to perceive the shape of You, I find You all around me. Your presence fills my eyes with Your love, It humbles my heart, For You are everywhere.”” – Giles quotes a poem while reflecting about Elisa and her love, as a final thought.
• Elisa: “(Signing) If we do nothing, no one else will.” – Elisa expresses her conviction to Giles about rescuing the Amphibian Man from certain death.
• Richard Strickland: “God shows himself in many ways.” – Strickland reflects on his own religious beliefs and perceived superiority while trying to assert his dominance.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $19.4 million
• Domestic Gross: $65.9 million
• Worldwide Gross: $195.2 million

💥 The Shape of Water Reviews

Personal Review

I was completely swept away by ‘The Shape of Water.’ The movie made me believe in the magic of cinema. The scene where Elisa and the Amphibian Man connect through music in the lab was just perfection. Also, the dance scene was fantastic. The film made me feel so much empathy for Elisa and her friends, and I was rooting for them until the end.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Guillermo del Toro’s previous works (Pan’s Labyrinth, Hellboy)”
  • “Viewers who enjoy fantasy, romance, and science fiction films”
  • “Those who appreciate visually stunning and thought-provoking cinema”
  • “Adults who enjoy unconventional love stories and themes of acceptance”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mature themes and strong language”
  • “Graphic violence and gore”
  • “Nudity and sexual content”
  • “Some disturbing images”

Professional Reviews

• The New York Times: “Guillermo del Toro crafts a beautiful and haunting fairy tale with ‘The Shape of Water.’ Sally Hawkins delivers a career-defining performance, capturing the loneliness and yearning of Elisa with subtle grace. The film’s visual artistry and heartfelt storytelling create a truly unforgettable experience.
• Rolling Stone: “Del Toro’s passion for classic monster movies shines through in this Cold War-era romance. While the premise is outlandish, the film’s emotional core feels surprisingly genuine. ‘The Shape of Water’ is a visual feast with compelling performances and a powerful message about acceptance.
• Variety: “A sensual and visually stunning fantasy that defies genre conventions. The performances are excellent, especially Sally Hawkins, who conveys a universe of emotion without uttering a word. A truly unique and captivating film.

Audience Reactions

The visual style and color palette of this film are breathtaking, and the story is incredibly moving.: Viewers rave about the unique story, beautiful visuals, and powerful performances, making it a favorite among fans of fantasy and romance.

Doug Jones’s amazing movement and the movie itself are mesmerizing.: The exceptional work by Doug Jones as the Amphibian Man is constantly brought up.

Overall Consensus: ‘The Shape of Water’ is a visually stunning and emotionally resonant film that has captivated audiences with its unique story, outstanding performances, and powerful message about love and acceptance. The film divided audiences, but it won best picture.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Picture)- 2018
2. Academy Award (Best Director)- 2018
3. Academy Award (Best Production Design)- 2018
4. Academy Award (Best Original Score)- 2018

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Guillermo del Toro conceived the idea for The Shape of Water in 2011, inspired by his childhood fascination with the Creature from the Black Lagoon.”
• “Doug Jones, who plays the Amphibian Man, spent three hours in makeup each day to transform into the creature.”
• “The film’s distinctive color palette, primarily teal and green, was chosen to create an aquatic atmosphere and reflect the creature’s natural environment.”
• “The black and white musical dream sequence was included to pay homage to classic Hollywood musicals and reflect Elisa’s inner romanticism.”
• “To prepare for her role as Elisa, Sally Hawkins studied sign language extensively and worked to convey emotions non-verbally.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Shape of Water?

The Shape of Water is widely available for streaming and purchase. You can find it on platforms like Hulu, where it may be included with a subscription. It’s also available to rent or buy on demand through services like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable options and availability on other streaming services.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Shape of Water, you might like these similar films:

• Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954): The Shape of Water is directly inspired by this classic monster movie, flipping the perspective to explore empathy and connection with the creature.
• E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982): Shares the theme of a human forming a deep bond with a misunderstood creature, fighting against societal forces to protect it.
• Amélie (2001): Portrays a whimsical, lonely protagonist finding unexpected connection and beauty in the world around her.
• Splash (1984): Features a romance between a human and an aquatic being, exploring themes of acceptance and the beauty of the unknown.
• Cold War (2018): Also set against the backdrop of the Cold War, exploring themes of love, displacement, and cultural identity amidst political tensions.

🛒 The Shape of Water Related Products

• The Shape of Water: A Novel: Dive deeper into the world of ‘The Shape of Water’ with the official novelization of the film, providing more context and backstory. It’s a beautifully written novel that expands on the themes and characters.
• Creature from the Black Lagoon (Universal Classic Monsters): Celebrating the classic monster that inspired the story of ‘The Shape of Water.’ This is a premium scale action figure of The Creature from the Black Lagoon.
• The Shape of Water (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) [Vinyl]: Relive the film’s enchanting atmosphere with Alexandre Desplat’s Oscar-winning score, available on vinyl. The vinyl enhances the listening experience.
• Amphibious Plush Toy: Soft and huggable plush version of the Amphibian Man. A perfect reminder of the movie’s story of acceptance.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Shape of Water features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “You’ll Never Know” – performed by Renée Fleming & The London Symphony Orchestra
• “La Javanaise” – performed by Madeleine Peyroux

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Everything Wrong With The Shape of Water

In the mood for a humorous critique of ‘The Shape of Water’? Check out this video where CinemaSins pokes fun at the movie’s flaws in their signature entertaining style. Get ready for some laughs and a fresh perspective on the film.

The Shape of Water Behind the Scenes & VFX Breakdown

Curious about the magic behind ‘The Shape of Water’? Dive into this behind-the-scenes video and witness the incredible visual effects and techniques that brought the film to life. It’s a fascinating glimpse into the creative process.

Guillermo del Toro wins Best Directing for “The Shape of Water” | 90th Oscars (2018)

Don’t miss Guillermo del Toro’s heartfelt acceptance speech for Best Director at the Oscars! In this touching moment, he shares his gratitude, inspirations, and the message behind ‘The Shape of Water.’ It’s a glimpse into the mind of a visionary filmmaker.

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