Lady in the Water

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Lady in the Water

PG-13

2006

1h 50m

Fantasy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

25%

Tomatometer

212 Reviews

49%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

When Cleveland Heep (Paul Giamatti) rescues an enigmatic young woman (Bryce Dallas Howard) from danger, little does he know that she is a character from a bedtime story, who is trying to return to her world. As he falls deeply in love with her, he begins to realize that he and fellow tenants are also characters in the fable, and they must work together to protect her from those who would prevent her from returning home.

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Critics Consensus

A far-fetched story with little suspense and unconvincing scenarios, Lady In The Water feels contrived, pretentious, and rather silly.

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David Ansen

Newsweek

Feb 6, 2018

Still, the multicultural cast is fun, the images have a painterly beauty and there are some beguiling comic touches before the story sinks into a swamp of solemn metaphysical glop.

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Brian Tallerico

UGO

Mar 24, 2007

It's a fairy tale that never flies the way it should.

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Roger Ebert

RogerEbert.com

Sep 13, 2006

1.5/4

[Perhaps it's] improvised and protracted, nonsensically and unnecessarily, just for the sake of stringing us along. And, maybe, putting us to sleep.

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Rory Doherty

InSession Film

Jun 17, 2024

If you watch Lady in the Water, I don’t think you’ll get the feeling that Shyamalan loves his craft. He just loves that he made it.

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Jonathan Weber

Out Magazine

May 25, 2022

Nothing works in this film; it’s boring and incomprehensible, laughable when it should be inspiring.

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Sergio Benítez

Espinof

Apr 16, 2020

Shyamalan proves once again to be a filmmaker who knows how to take advantage of some highly ridiculous scenarios and situations. [Full Review in Spanish]

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B P

@Bradster69 Oct 1, 2026

Not Bad, but Not My Favorite

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 11, 2026

Lady in the water is not a good movie at all!

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Paige B.

@Palan4 Jun 12, 2026

HOW!!!! How are the ratings for this movie so low? I'm shocked. It's a modern fable filled with symbolism, archetypes, and larger-than-life characters who all play specific roles in the story. The story itself is unique and imaginative. It's fun, occasionally scary, and surprisingly sweet. Please give it a chance despite the ratings, maybe it was just ahead of its time!

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LightflowFox T

@RT14631131 Jun 1, 2026

This movie asks you to listen to a bedtime story and believe it. A book accompanied the movie, and that adds an interesting depth as well. If you like Unbreakable, you also need to consider that these are people with 'super powers' which also connects to other movies he has made. I like the strange connections that these movies have to one another, and this movie in particular draws out a story that you have to watch and read a couple of times to begin to understand it all. Yes, it's pretentious. I suppose I like pretentious. I like seeing puzzles go together, it's satisfying. But most of the critics seem to be like the critic in the story, irritated that there are no original stories anymore, and unable to understand when one is original that they may not even like it because of the originality.

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Ace R

@dragoneca2 May 13, 2026

Some people do seem to like this film. I don't know why. True, it has some faults, in that there are times when it can be confusing. But it is worth watching.

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Cfunk D

@Cfunk2085 Mar 21, 2026

It's a little slow and drawn out. Not a bad watch to watch one time. The ending and music is great. Paul Giamatti is amazing.

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M. Night Shyamalan

Director

Paul Giamatti

Cleveland Heep

Bryce Dallas Howard

Story

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Synopsis

When Cleveland Heep (Paul Giamatti) rescues an enigmatic young woman (Bryce Dallas Howard) from danger, little does he know that she is a character from a bedtime story, who is trying to return to her world. As he falls deeply in love with her, he begins to realize that he and fellow tenants are also characters in the fable, and they must work together to protect her from those who would prevent her from returning home.

Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Producer: Sam Mercer
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Production Co: Warner Bros., Legendary Pictures, Blinding Edge Pictures
Rating: PG-13 (Some Frightening Sequences)
Genre: Fantasy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 21, 2006, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 4, 2009
Box Office (Gross USA): $42.3M
Runtime: 1h 50m
Sound Mix: Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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