Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Mystery thriller

The Weight of Water (2002): Cast, Ratings & Plot

The Weight of Water (2002) movie poster

The Weight of Water is a 2002 mystery thriller directed by Kathryn Bigelow, starring Sean Penn, Josh Lucas and Sarah Polley. It runs 1 hour 53 minutes. Critics gave it 45 on Metacritic.

Loading streaming availability…
The Weight of Water (2002) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 53m (113 min)
Director
Kathryn Bigelow
Genres
Mystery , Thriller
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Weight of Water About?

The premise of The Weight of Water without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A blind man navigates the dangerous white-water rapids, a journey that forces him to confront the emotional darkness he’s long struggled with. Facing the constant threat of drowning, he seeks freedom and a deeper understanding of himself, battling both the physical challenge and his internal demons along the way.

The Weight of Water Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • sail boat
  • true crime
  • murder
  • photographer
  • boyfriend girlfriend relationship
  • female nudity
  • male female relationship
  • voyeur
  • crying
  • hairy chested man
  • marital infidelity
  • killing
+38 more
  • male nudity
  • nudity
  • 1870s
  • usa flag
  • underwater
  • homicide
  • newspaper
  • murdered with an axe
  • jealousy
  • suspicion
  • axe
  • marriage
  • new hampshire
  • island
  • victorian fashion
  • bilge pump
  • competitiveness
  • cruelty
  • game
  • mast
  • writer
  • attraction
  • anger
  • dark past
  • dark secret
  • jealous woman
  • murder suspect
  • obsession
  • repressed anger
  • sexual perversion
  • sexual tension
  • victim
  • violence
  • sexuality
  • memory
  • preparing meal
  • rage
  • false accusation
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

The Weight of Water Cast

Sean Penn leads the cast, with Josh Lucas and Sarah Polley. Directed by Kathryn Bigelow; 5 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Weight of Water

· 1 more
From the director

More from Kathryn Bigelow

More films directed by Kathryn Bigelow, best-rated first: The Hurt Locker, Zero Dark Thirty, Near Dark and Strange Days.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Weight of Water Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Weight of Water 45 on Metacritic.

Plot

The Weight of Water Plot Summary

What happens in The Weight of Water from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 10 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In the late 19th century, the secluded Smuttynose Island, situated off the coast of New Hampshire, became the backdrop for a gruesome double murder committed by two Norwegian immigrant sisters: Karen Christensen and Anethe Christensen. The sole survivor of this violent incident was Maren Hontvedt, another Norwegian immigrant. The perpetrator, Louis Wagner, faced conviction and ultimately met his end at the gallows.

Fast-forwarding to the present day, journalist Jean Janes, alongside her husband Thomas, an esteemed poet, and his brother Rich, who owns a boat, sets out to investigate this cold case. Accompanying them is Rich’s romantic partner, Adaline. During their journey to Smuttynose Island, Jean uncovers a treasure trove of archived writings authored by Maren, which vividly recount her experiences on the island and the tragic events that transpired.

Full summary

The whole story of The Weight of Water, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

The Weight of Water Trailers & Videos

The trailer of The Weight of Water.

THE WEIGHT OF WATER(2002) TRAILER
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Weight of Water?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who is the journalist investigating the cold case?

Cars

Cars in The Weight of Water

3 cars on screen, including the 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Brasinca Passo Fino.

  • 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee in The Weight of Water 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee Important role
  • Brasinca Passo Fino in The Weight of Water Brasinca Passo Fino Background role
  • 1998 Mercedes-Benz 712 C in The Weight of Water 1998 Mercedes-Benz 712 C Background role

Seen The Weight of Water?

FAQ

The Weight of Water FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Weight of Water, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Weight of Water?

The Weight of Water runs 1 hour 53 minutes (113 minutes).

When was The Weight of Water released?

The Weight of Water was released on November 1, 2002.

Who directed The Weight of Water?

The Weight of Water was directed by Kathryn Bigelow.

More films by Kathryn Bigelow

Who is in the cast of The Weight of Water?

The Weight of Water stars Sean Penn, Josh Lucas and Sarah Polley, among 5 credited actors.

How is The Weight of Water rated?

The Weight of Water has 45 on Metacritic.

Does The Weight of Water have a post-credit scene?

No. The Weight of Water has no extra scene during or after the credits.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app