The Shape of Water (2017)
Bias Rating
Analyzing...
Strong Left
Viewer Rating
Rating: 8.1
Overview
From master storyteller Guillermo del Toro comes THE SHAPE OF WATER, an otherworldly fable set against the backdrop of Cold War era America circa 1962. In the hidden high-security government laboratory where she works, l...
Starring Cast
Where to watch
Bias Dimensions
Political: Strong Left
Diversity: High
LGBTQ: Positive
Overview
From master storyteller Guillermo del Toro comes THE SHAPE OF WATER, an otherworldly fable set against the backdrop of Cold War era America circa 1962. In the hidden high-security government laboratory where she works, l...
Starring Cast
Where to watch
Detailed Bias Analysis
Analyzing...
Strong Left
Primary
The film's central thesis explicitly promotes progressive ideology by critiquing systemic oppression and the dehumanization of "the other" by dominant power structures, championing radical empathy and liberation through unconventional love.
The film prominently features a diverse cast of marginalized characters, including a mute woman, a Black woman, and a gay man, who stand in opposition to a white, male antagonist representing oppressive power. The narrative strongly critiques traditional societal structures and champions empathy for those considered 'other.'
Secondary
The film features Giles, a gay man, depicted with dignity, complexity, and agency. While he experiences prejudice and loneliness, these are framed as external obstacles. His character is empathetic, crucial to the plot, and ultimately affirms the worth of LGBTQ+ lives and love, resulting in a net positive portrayal.
The movie does not contain any action or adventure elements.
The Shape of Water is an original story with characters created specifically for this film. There is no prior source material, historical basis, or previous installments from which characters' genders could have been established and subsequently altered.
The Shape of Water is an original story with characters created specifically for the film. There is no prior source material, historical record, or previous installment to establish a character's race before this film's production, thus precluding any race swaps.
Viewer Rating Breakdown
8.1
Viewer Rating
Combines user and critic ratings from four sources
User Ratings
7.3
7.2
Critic Ratings
9.2
8.7
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