The Chronology of Water

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The Chronology of Water

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2h 8m

Biography

Drama

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89%

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92 Reviews

81%

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50+ Ratings

Oscar-nominated actor Kristen Stewart makes her feature directorial debut with The Chronology of Water, an unflinching portrait of womanhood, survival, and artistry at the fragmented crossroads of memory and memoir, adapted from the book of the same name by Lidia Yuknavitch. Imogen Poots stars as Lidia, a young woman who finds escape from an abusive home through competitive swimming in the 1980s. After her athletic dreams are derailed, she navigates love, loss, addiction, sexuality, and her own self-destructive impulses while discovering her voice, and healing, through the transformative act of writing.

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Critics Consensus

Navigating a journey of emotional healing with impressive fluidity, Kristen Stewart's feature directorial debut is ably shouldered by Imogen Poots' bracingly naturalistic performance.

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Mark Kermode

Kermode and Mayo's Take (YouTube)

7h

Imogen Poots in this movie is astonishing.

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Jonathan Romney

Financial Times

7h

3/5

The film isn’t entirely compelling — its relentlessness may distance you as much as draw you in... But you have to applaud Stewart and Poots for climbing on to a high board and diving in fearlessly.

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David Sexton

New Statesman

12h

The Chronology of Water is far from the average actor-turned-director’s movie, loyally foregrounding stagecraft. For all that, the film does depend entirely on the astonishing performance of Imogen Poots as Lidia.

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Michael Nordine

Movie Brief

2d

Too often feels like being held underwater and waiting to come up for air.

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Kathy Fennessy

Seattle Film Blog

Jan 29

4/4

Things might have been different if Kristen Stewart had cast herself, but she made the best choice, the right choice, in casting British-born Poots to play all-American fuckup-turned-bestselling-novelist Lidia Yuknavich.

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Andrew Gaudion

THN

Jan 28

3/5

Stewart does an effective job at placing you in Lidia’s shoes, and it is often a very tense place to be.

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geoffrey w

Jan 25

It tells the story of a woman from girlhood to about 45. And it feels like it’s being told in real time.

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Skye Riley

Jan 24

A powerful directorial debut from Kristen Stewart.

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Noah

Jan 19

This went on for a little too long for me as it felt repetitive, but this was an interesting debut for Kristen Stewart. I liked the aspect ratio making it look like an old home video as it is exploring the protagonist’s memories. This was an interesting look at how abuse affects one’s adulthood. While a different film, this reminded me of Die My Love. Not a bad film and I did enjoy it overall, but some of this could be trimmed.

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Robyn K

Jan 16

Interesting film. Very well acted!

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jesse v

Jan 15

Diary of a Rebellious Angst Lustful Woman Filmed In Avantgarde 35mm Style. The opening studio stingers and the final scenes were my favorite.

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Elsie M

Jan 12

Excellent directorial debut for KStew.

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Kristen Stewart

Director

Imogen Poots

Lidia

Thora Birch

Claudia

Jim Belushi

Ken Kesey

Tom Sturridge

Devin

Charlie Carrick

Actor

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The Chronology of Water: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Oscar-nominated actor Kristen Stewart makes her feature directorial debut with The Chronology of Water, an unflinching portrait of womanhood, survival, and artistry at the fragmented crossroads of memory and memoir, adapted from the book of the same name by Lidia Yuknavitch. Imogen Poots stars as Lidia, a young woman who finds escape from an abusive home through competitive swimming in the 1980s. After her athletic dreams are derailed, she navigates love, loss, addiction, sexuality, and her own self-destructive impulses while discovering her voice, and healing, through the transformative act of writing.

Director: Kristen Stewart
Producer: Maggie Mclean, Dylan Meyer, Michael A. Pruss, Rebecca Feuer, Charles Gillibert, Yulia Zayceva, Max Pavlov, Svetlana Punte, Kristen Stewart, Andy Mingo
Screenwriter: Kristen Stewart
Distributor: The Forge
Production Co: Scott Free Productions, CG Cinéma, Forma Pro Films, Nevermind Pictures
Genre: Biography, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 9, 2026, Limited
Box Office (Gross USA): $18.6K
Runtime: 2h 8m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital