The Shape of Water (2017)

The Shape of Water (2017), directed by Guillermo del Toro, is a romantic fantasy drama that blends Cold War politics, social commentary, and fairy tale elements. The film tells the story of a mute woman who falls in love with an amphibious creature. Equal parts magical and grounded, it swept audiences and critics alike, eventually taking home the Academy Award for Best Picture.

Detailed Summary

Opening: A Tale From the Deep

The story begins with a dreamlike narration by Giles, a closeted artist and friend of the main character, Elisa Esposito (played by Sally Hawkins). Elisa is mute and communicates through sign language. She works as a cleaning lady at a secret government facility in 1960s Baltimore. Her life is routine and quiet, spent between work, bathing, and watching old musicals—until “the asset” arrives.

Arrival of the Amphibian Man

A mysterious creature is brought to the lab under heavy security. It’s an amphibious humanoid (played by Doug Jones) captured in the Amazon. The U.S. government, represented by Colonel Richard Strickland (played by Michael Shannon), wants to study—and eventually dissect—the creature to gain a Cold War advantage over the Soviets.

Elisa, however, is intrigued by the creature. As she secretly visits him during her cleaning shifts, they form a bond. She feeds him hard-boiled eggs, plays him music, and teaches him basic sign language. Their connection deepens, developing into a romance built on shared loneliness.

The Moral Divide

While Elisa sees the creature as intelligent and emotional, Strickland sees him as a threat—an asset to be exploited. Meanwhile, a Soviet spy working inside the facility, Dr. Dmitri Hoffstetler (aka Robert, played by Michael Stuhlbarg), grows conflicted about the U.S. government’s cruel intentions and the ethical implications of killing the creature.

The Heist: Breaking the Asset Free

When Elisa learns that the creature is scheduled to be killed, she orchestrates a daring escape with help from Giles, her coworker Zelda (played by Octavia Spencer), and Dr. Hoffstetler. They smuggle the creature out and keep him hidden in Elisa’s bathtub until the nearby canal reaches high tide—his ticket to freedom.

Falling in Love

During the time he spends in Elisa’s apartment, their emotional bond becomes physical. Yes, the movie does explore a romantic—and sexual—relationship between a human and an amphibian. Guillermo del Toro presents this love not as shock value, but as an allegory for embracing the “other” and understanding love in its purest, most nonjudgmental form.

Strickland, growing increasingly unstable, begins an obsessive search for the missing creature. His hunt intensifies, leading to dangerous consequences.

Movie Ending: Love, Death, and Transformation

As the film reaches its climax, Strickland discovers Elisa’s plan and confronts her and the creature at the canal. He shoots both of them—fatally wounding the creature and seemingly killing Elisa. However, in a reversal of roles, the creature miraculously heals himself and Elisa. He slashes Strickland’s throat, killing him instantly.

In a poetic and visually stunning ending, the creature takes Elisa into the water. As he swims with her, we see the scars on her neck—once assumed to be from a childhood injury—open to reveal gills. The narration suggests that Elisa may have been amphibious all along, or perhaps transformed by love and magic. The film ends ambiguously but hopefully, with the lovers disappearing into the depths together.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, The Shape of Water does not have any post-credits scenes. Once the main story ends and the credits begin, there are no additional teases, follow-ups, or bonus content. The film ends on a poetic note, allowing its final moment to linger without interruption.

Type of Movie

The Shape of Water is a romantic fantasy drama with strong elements of science fiction, period thriller, and fairy tale. It also functions as a socio-political allegory, tackling themes of otherness, prejudice, and empathy.

Cast

• Sally Hawkins as Elisa Esposito
• Doug Jones as The Amphibian Man
• Michael Shannon as Colonel Richard Strickland
• Octavia Spencer as Zelda Delilah Fuller
• Richard Jenkins as Giles
• Michael Stuhlbarg as Dr. Robert Hoffstetler / Dmitri
• David Hewlett as Fleming

Film Music and Composer

The haunting, whimsical score was composed by Alexandre Desplat, who won the Academy Award for Best Original Score for this film. The music blends romantic melodies with underwater-themed instrumentation, perfectly complementing the film’s aesthetic and emotional beats.

Notable tracks:

• “The Shape of Water”
• “Elisa’s Theme”
• “You’ll Never Know” (vocal performance)

Filming Locations

The film was primarily shot in Toronto, Canada, with some scenes in Hamilton and Cobourg, Ontario. The 1960s aesthetic was achieved through detailed set design rather than actual historical locations. The underwater scenes were filmed in dry sets, with CGI used to simulate the water effects. This gave the director more control over lighting and camera movement.

The cold, rain-soaked urban environment contrasts beautifully with the warmth and dreamlike quality of Elisa’s apartment and the underwater sequences.

Awards and Nominations

Academy Awards (2018):

• Won Best Picture
• Won Best Director (Guillermo del Toro)
• Won Best Original Score (Alexandre Desplat)
• Won Best Production Design
• Nominated for Best Actress (Sally Hawkins)
• Nominated for Best Supporting Actor (Richard Jenkins)
• Nominated for Best Supporting Actress (Octavia Spencer)
• Nominated for Best Original Screenplay, Cinematography, Costume Design, Sound Mixing, and more

The Shape of Water was one of the most awarded films of 2017 and cemented del Toro’s legacy as a master storyteller.

Behind the Scenes Insights

• Doug Jones spent hours daily in full-body prosthetics and makeup for his role as the Amphibian Man.
• Guillermo del Toro self-financed part of the film’s development before getting studio backing.
• The apartment flood scene was one of the most challenging to film and required a custom-built, waterproof set.
• Del Toro gave every actor a custom backstory for their character, even for scenes never shown on-screen.
• The film was shot in just over 60 days on a tight budget of $19.5 million.

Inspirations and References

• The film is heavily inspired by “Creature from the Black Lagoon” (1954), a classic monster movie.
• Also influenced by Beauty and the Beast and The Little Mermaid, with del Toro’s signature gothic-romantic twist.
• Guillermo del Toro called the movie his response to Cold War paranoia and xenophobia—an allegory for acceptance and love across boundaries.
• Visual inspiration also came from the art of Norman Rockwell, magical realism literature, and classic Hollywood musicals.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

While there is no known alternate ending, some deleted scenes explore more of Giles’ life and backstory. A scene showing Elisa’s traumatic childhood (how she lost her voice) was storyboarded but never filmed to maintain the film’s tone of mystery and fairytale minimalism.

Book Adaptations and Differences

A novelization by Daniel Kraus (co-written with del Toro) was released alongside the film. It expands on the backstories of all main characters, especially the creature’s mythological origins and Elisa’s past. The book reveals more details about the Amphibian Man’s powers and thoughts, unlike the silent portrayal in the film.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• Elisa dancing in her kitchen in a dreamy black-and-white fantasy musical number with the Amphibian Man.
• The silent underwater love scene—controversial, but tenderly executed.
• The rain-drenched bus escape sequence.
• The final confrontation at the canal.

Iconic Quotes

• Giles (narration): “If I spoke about it—if I did—what would I tell you, I wonder?”
• Elisa (signed): “He does not know what I lack, or how I am incomplete. He sees me for what I am, as I am.”
• Strickland: “You may think that thing looks human—stands on two legs, but we’re created in the Lord’s image.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• The Amphibian Man resembles Abe Sapien from Hellboy—also played by Doug Jones and directed by del Toro. But del Toro confirmed they’re not the same.
• Elisa’s gill-like scars foreshadow the twist ending.
• The films Elisa watches reflect the story’s emotional arc, from loneliness to connection.
• The calendar in the background always reads March 24, the day del Toro met his wife.

Trivia

• Sally Hawkins performed all sign language herself and consulted with ASL experts.
• The amphibious suit was a mix of practical effects and minimal CGI for facial expressions.
• Del Toro wrote the role of Elisa specifically for Sally Hawkins, even before she agreed to do the film.
• The movie was almost rated NC-17 for its nudity and intimacy scenes but ultimately received an R rating.

Why Watch?

Watch The Shape of Water if you’re drawn to films that combine fantasy and romance with political subtext. It’s a bold love story that challenges norms, visually lush, emotionally rich, and one of the most unique Oscar-winning films in recent years.

It’s also perfect for fans of outsider stories, classic monster movies reimagined, and anyone looking to feel deeply moved by a story about connection beyond language.

Director’s Other Movies

• Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)
• Crimson Peak (2015)
• Hellboy (2004)
• Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008)
• Pacific Rim (2013)
• Nightmare Alley (2021)

Recommended Films for Fans

• Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)
• Amélie (2001)
• Edward Scissorhands (1990)
• Let the Right One In (2008)
• Big Fish (2003)
• The City of Lost Children (1995)
• Starman (1984)