The Chronology of Water – REVIEW

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What is Kristen Stewart’s The Chronology of Water ?

Kristen Stewart has come a long way from her role in the Twilight series. Now an Oscar nominee with a diverse range of acting credits, she’s making her directorial debut with the film The Chronology of Water. The movie, based on Lidia Yuknavitch’s difficult 2011 memoir about abuse, is as emotionally challenging for viewers as it likely was to create.

What is The Chronology of Water about?

Imogen Poots stars as Lidia, a young woman who, along with her sister Claudia (Thora Birch), suffers abuse at the hands of their father, Mike (Michael Epp). Their mother is unable to acknowledge the abuse, leading to devastating consequences for the whole family, including depression for both mother and daughter. The film centers on Lidia, who finds solace and a sense of purpose in competitive swimming, eventually earning a college scholarship. While swimming offers her an escape from her traumatic childhood, Lidia also struggles with substance abuse, sabotaging her attempts to heal and rebuild her life.

I’ve always been drawn to stories about people trying to break free, and this film really gets into that. It reminded me a bit of Harry and Meghan’s foundation – this woman finds solace in creative writing, joining a group led by Ken Kesey (played by Jim Belushi) to write a novel. But it’s not a simple escape; it feels like she’s just swapped one complicated father figure for another, and the movie digs into whether she can really leave her past behind. It’s a fascinating look at how we’re all shaped by our history, and if we can ever truly outrun it.

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Imogen Poots delivers a potentially career-defining performance in a difficult role. Her character is flawed, often self-absorbed and immature, and trapped in a pattern of abuse with a boyfriend she can’t stand. The film includes some uncomfortable scenes where she explores her sexuality. However, Poots excels, proving she’s ready for more significant roles.

Like many films of its kind, this one is divided into sections. The director, Stewart, uses a visually striking, and sometimes blurry, style with close-up shots that takes some getting used to. While The Chronology of Water occasionally feels overly focused on style and a bit too experimental – and some might find it too long – it’s a fascinating, though not always consistent, film with plenty to appreciate.

Here’s The Chronology of Water trailer….

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2026-02-03 03:23