9 Years Later, This “Surreal” Dark Fantasy Masterpiece Returns to Enchant Viewers on Streaming

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Guillermo del Toro is a celebrated director famous for his beautiful and often dark fantasy films. While he first gained attention with 2004’s Hellboy, it was Pan’s Labyrinth in 2006 that truly established him as a visionary filmmaker. His recent work, including Frankenstein, has been widely praised, and his 2017 film The Shape of Water – a dark fantasy favorite – is captivating new audiences again thanks to streaming.

Currently, viewers in the United States are loving The Shape of Water, now available on HBO Max. The dark and romantic fantasy tells the story of a woman who falls for a unique creature—an amphibian man. As of today, it’s the fourth most popular movie on the streaming service, according to Flix Patrol, likely because of the upcoming Valentine’s Day holiday. Ultimately, it’s a beautiful and unusual love story.

In 1962 Baltimore, Elisa, a woman who cannot speak, lives a quiet, solitary life cleaning a top-secret government lab. Everything changes when she finds out the lab is hiding a remarkable creature – a scaled being from South America kept in a water tank. Elisa forms a special connection with the creature, but its life is threatened by a ruthless government agent and a scientist.

‘The Shape of Water’ Subverts Classic Fairy Tale Tropes


Fox Searchlight Pictures

Ultimately, The Shape of Water feels like a fairy tale – a bit of a dark one, but then again, the best fairy tales often are. What sets it apart, though, is that director Guillermo del Toro deliberately avoids typical storybook conventions, offering a refreshing and unexpected take on the genre.

Elisa, brilliantly played by Sally Hawkins, isn’t a typical damsel in distress. When she discovers the creature (Doug Jones) and witnesses how he’s being treated, she immediately takes charge and plans his rescue, driving the entire plot forward. Unlike classic princesses who wait to be saved, Elisa is a proactive and powerful character.

One way The Shape of Water challenges traditional fairy tales is by refusing to transform the creature into a handsome prince. Guillermo del Toro’s choice emphasizes that genuine love accepts someone for who they are, without needing them to change. Elisa doesn’t love the creature in spite of his monstrous form—she loves him because of it. This powerful message makes the film more than just a typical love story.

Guillermo del Toro’s Masterpiece Is a Certified Fresh Classic

I truly believe Guillermo del Toro’s The Shape of Water is already a classic, and it’s incredible to think it came out just nine years ago! It rightfully won Best Picture at the Oscars, and critics clearly agree – it’s ‘Certified Fresh’ on Rotten Tomatoes with a 92% rating. That makes it the fourth best-reviewed film of his career, which is saying something when you consider masterpieces like The Devil’s Backbone, Pan’s Labyrinth, and his recent Pinocchio!

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2026-02-05 16:20