The Shape of Water 2017
Directed by
Guillermo del Toro
Made by
Fox Searchlight Pictures
The Shape of Water Plot Summary
Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for The Shape of Water (2017). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.
The film begins in a mysterious underwater setting, where the voice of Giles (Richard Jenkins) narrates a poignant tale about a princess, her beloved, and the monster that seeks to keep them apart. Set in Baltimore during 1962, we meet Elisa Esposito (Sally Hawkins), a mute woman living in solitude, yet often sharing moments with her neighbor, Giles, a bachelor who spends his days dreaming and creating ads for jello.
Elisa works the night shift at the Occam Aerospace Research Center alongside her friend Zelda Fuller (Octavia Spencer). During one such shift, they come across a mysterious vessel containing an extraordinary creature, known as the Asset (Doug Jones). Curiosity sparks within Elisa when she witnesses something move inside the vessel, setting in motion a journey that will change her life forever.
In a light-hearted moment after work, Giles treats Elisa to his favorite key lime pie at a local shop, where the Pie Guy (Morgan Kelly) serves them. However, their camaraderie is soon tested when Colonel Richard Strickland (Michael Shannon), an abrasive figure at the research center, suffers a grotesque accident that leaves him maimed, amplifying the sense of danger surrounding them.
Elisa’s fascination with the Asset grows as she sneaks into its enclosure, feeding it hard-boiled eggs, teaching it sign language, and sharing music, forging an unlikely bond. This sanctuary is shattered when Strickland tortures the creature, showcasing his cruelty drawn from personal frustrations in his family life. Meanwhile, a new character, Dr. Robert Hoffstetler (Michael Stuhlbarg), is revealed to be a spy navigating complex loyalties, where he contemplates the potential intelligence of the Asset.
Feeling a kinship with the creature, Elisa decides to risk everything to save it from Strickland’s impending plan to destroy it. Giles reluctantly agrees to assist, and together they devise a plan to rescue the Asset. This onslaught of personal courage culminates in a tense escape sequence aided by Zelda and Hoffstetler, leading them to Elisa’s apartment, where a secret world unfolds—the Asset is more alive than anyone could have imagined.
As their connection deepens, Elisa and the Asset engage in a shared intimacy that transcends societal norms. Their passionate bond unfolds in a bathing ritual filled with dreamlike sequences and potential freedom. A menacing situation escalates as Strickland, desperate and deranged, discovers Elisa’s plan to release the creature into a canal.
In the film’s climax, Strickland confronts them at the canal, where the tension explodes into violence. Just when it seems Elisa’s fate is sealed, the Asset displays newfound powers that turn the tide of destiny. In a dramatic twist, it heals Elisa, allowing them to finally embrace their love beneath the water’s surface.
As Giles narrates the closing moments, their connection blooms, signaling a transcendent union that defies the confines of their world. This poignant tale drives home the message of understanding and love without barriers, making it a masterpiece of romance and fantasy that lingers in the heart.
The Shape of Water Timeline
Follow the complete movie timeline of The Shape of Water (2017) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.
Introduction to the Underwater World
The film opens in a mysterious underwater setting, where the essence of a poignant tale begins to unfold. Giles, the narrator, sets the stage for a story about a princess, her beloved, and the monstrous forces that threaten to keep them apart.
Elisa's Solitary Life
Set in Baltimore during 1962, we are introduced to Elisa Esposito, a mute woman living in isolation. Despite her solitude, she shares moments with her neighbor, Giles, who dreams of creativity while crafting ads for jello.
The Occam Aerospace Research Center
Elisa works the night shift at the Occam Aerospace Research Center alongside her friend Zelda. During one of their shifts, they stumble upon a mysterious vessel that houses an extraordinary creature, sparking a curiosity within Elisa that changes her life forever.
A Sweet Treat
After work, Giles treats Elisa to his favorite key lime pie at a local shop. This light-hearted moment is a brief respite from the looming challenges as the Pie Guy serves them with warmth, reinforcing their close friendship.
Colonel Strickland's Accident
The fun of the day is soon overshadowed when Colonel Richard Strickland suffers a grotesque accident at the research center. This incident amplifies the danger surrounding Elisa, Giles, and the mysterious creature they have discovered.
Bonding with the Asset
Elisa's fascination with the creature, known as the Asset, intensifies as she sneakily enters its enclosure. She begins feeding it hard-boiled eggs, teaching it sign language, and sharing music, forming an unlikely bond that grows deeper each day.
Strickland's Cruelty
The sanctuary of Elisa's connection with the Asset is shattered when Strickland resorts to torturing the creature. His cruel actions stem from personal frustrations, reinforcing his villainous role and endangering Elisa's new friendship.
Dr. Hoffstetler's Secret
Dr. Robert Hoffstetler is introduced as a complex character, a spy with divided loyalties regarding the Asset. As tensions rise, Hoffstetler contemplates the creature's intelligence and his moral obligations.
Elisa's Plan to Save the Asset
Feeling a deep kinship with the Asset, Elisa decides to risk everything for its survival. With Giles's reluctant agreement, they devise a daring plan to rescue the creature from Strickland's impending destruction.
The Escape
In a tense sequence of events, Elisa, along with Zelda and Hoffstetler, execute their rescue plan. They guide the Asset to Elisa’s apartment, revealing a secret world where the creature's true nature becomes evident.
Deepening Intimacy
As Elisa and the Asset develop their bond, they engage in moments of intimacy that defy social norms. Their relationship reaches new heights during a dreamlike bathing ritual, symbolizing both love and freedom.
Strickland Discovers the Plan
Tension escalates when Strickland discovers Elisa’s intentions to free the Asset. His desperation mounts, leading to a confrontation that threatens not only their lives but the very fabric of their burgeoning connection.
Climactic Confrontation
In a climactic moment at the canal, Strickland confronts Elisa and the Asset. As violence erupts, the dire situation reaches a breaking point, placing Elisa's fate into jeopardy and spiraling the narrative towards its conclusion.
The Asset's Revelation
In a dramatic twist, the Asset reveals its extraordinary powers during the confrontation. It uses its gifts to heal Elisa, allowing the two to finally express their love beneath the water's surface in a surreal, transformative moment.
A Poignant Conclusion
As Giles narrates the closing moments of the film, Elisa and the Asset's connection transforms into a transcendent union. Their story encapsulates the powerful themes of understanding and love without barriers, resonating deeply with the audience.
The Shape of Water Characters
Explore all characters from The Shape of Water (2017). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.
Elisa Esposito
Elisa is a mute woman whose quiet existence transforms when she discovers the Asset. She is deeply compassionate, often communicating through sign language and music, which connects her to the creature. Her journey from solitude to finding love and purpose embodies resilience and the quest for acceptance.
Giles
Giles is Elisa's neighbor and an aspiring artist who serves as her emotional anchor. He is imaginative and protective, sharing moments of joy and humor despite his own struggles. His collaboration with Elisa showcases the strength of friendship and loyalty amidst dire circumstances.
Zelda Fuller
Zelda is Elisa's coworker and confidante at the research center. She is strong-willed and supportive, often providing a voice of reason in their plans. Zelda's loyalty is evident as she stands by Elisa's side, demonstrating the power of female friendship in the face of adversity.
Richard Strickland
Strickland is the antagonistic figure representing oppression and cruelty in the film. His violent and domineering nature poses a constant threat to the Asset and Elisa’s bond. His character highlights the darker aspects of humanity, contrasting sharply with Elisa's gentleness.
Dr. Robert Hoffstetler
Hoffstetler is a complex character caught between loyalty to his country and compassion for the Asset. As a spy, he navigates moral dilemmas that challenge his integrity. His decision to help Elisa underscores the themes of empathy and personal sacrifice.
The Shape of Water Settings
Learn where and when The Shape of Water (2017) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.
Time period
1962
The movie is set in 1962, a time marked by significant social and political transitions in the United States. This era, often characterized by the Civil Rights Movement, gives context to the film's exploration of love and acceptance outside societal norms. The year enhances the sense of danger and tension surrounding Elisa's unconventional relationship with the Asset.
Location
Baltimore
Baltimore, a vibrant city on the Chesapeake Bay, serves as the primary backdrop for the film. Known for its rich history in arts and culture, the city contrasts the isolation felt by the characters and their extraordinary experiences. The underwater setting symbolizes a world of mystery and magic, reflecting the film’s enchanting themes.
The Shape of Water Themes
Discover the main themes in The Shape of Water (2017). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.
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Forbidden Love
The theme of forbidden love is central to the narrative, as Elisa and the Asset's profound bond defies societal expectations. Their relationship highlights the depth of connection that can exist beyond physical and social barriers. This theme challenges conventional norms and invites viewers to reflect on the nature of love in all its forms.
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Courage
Courage is embodied in Elisa's determination to save the Asset despite the dangers posed by Strickland. Her bravery evolves from a sense of compassion that pushes her to act against overwhelming odds. This theme underscores the importance of standing up for what is right and protecting those who cannot protect themselves.
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Transformation
Transformation is a recurring theme as both Elisa and the Asset undergo significant changes throughout the movie. Their connection allows Elisa to awaken to her own identity and desires, while the Asset reveals its hidden truths. Together, they navigate a journey that symbolizes rebirth and new possibilities in the face of adversity.
The Shape of Water Ending Explained
Unravel the ending of The Shape of Water (2017) with our detailed explanation. Understand the final scenes, character fates, and unresolved questions.
At the end of The Shape of Water, Elisa returns to her home after freeing the creature, and they share an emotional farewell. She releases him back into his natural habitat in the ocean, believing that this is where he belongs. In a deeply symbolic act, Elisa later joins the creature underwater, where he helps her heal her scars and enables her to breathe with gills. This transformation suggests that the creature has not only healed her physical wounds but also helped her reconnect with her true nature, possibly hinting at her own lost connection to her origins—whether human or aquatic.
Throughout the film, Elisa’s scars and muteness symbolize her sense of being an outsider in a society that devalues her. Her bond with the creature is rooted in their shared otherness and ability to communicate beyond words. The ending, with Elisa choosing to stay with the creature underwater, underscores her acceptance of her unique identity and her love for him. It’s a poetic affirmation that love transcends conventional boundaries, and that sometimes, true happiness lies in embracing one’s true self—no matter how different or misunderstood one might be. The film revises traditional fairy tale tropes, showing that love and connection aren’t about transforming the other into something “normal,” but about accepting and celebrating their authenticity.
The film also challenges ideas about good versus evil, especially through the character of Colonel Strickland, who resembles the mythic figure Samson—powerful but flawed. His fixation on dominance, religious hypocrisy, and brutality ultimately leads to his downfall. In the climax, the creature defeats him, and Strickland’s understanding of divine strength and justice is called into question, especially when he recognizes the creature as a “god.” His death signifies the rejection of his violent, hypocritical worldview, emphasizing that true strength and morality come from compassion and humility, not domination.
Overall, The Shape of Water ends with a powerful message: love, understanding, and acceptance can elevate us beyond societal constraints, and embracing what makes us different can lead to a kind of divine fulfillment. Elisa and the creature’s union is both a literal and symbolic act of breaking through societal fears of “the other,” demonstrating that genuine connection is a form of salvation. In this way, the film offers a hopeful, fantastical vision of harmony between disparate worlds—human and creature, normal and outsider.
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