The Shape of Water is Misunderstood

[@lightishredgummi]

my history professor just mentioned today that he knows a lady with downs syndrome that loves monsters. she relates to them being outcasts. and when she meets someone she can relate to, someone who understands being "othered," she calls them a monster. its a compliment, a show of connection.

[@QualityCulture]

I love that. Thanks for sharing :)

[@leamubiu]

There's a book I read recently that must be titled "It's monsters I like", it's a graphic novel, kinda hard on the heart (many hard topics covered), but it talks exactly of this feeling. Recommended!

[@MildMisanthropeMaybeMassive]

Léa Mu Biu You’re referring to _My Favorite Thing Is Monsters_ by Emil Ferris. I really enjoyed it, but it was extremely hard to follow because text was all over the place with no rhyme or reason and it was super dense. It was one of those graphic novels with more text to read than pictures. I felt as if I had come across a mentally ill person’s journal, which is actually a good thing.

[@allie_Am]

Similar to how Lady Gaga refers to her fans as monsters, because most of them are those who are outcasted by society

[@leamubiu]

@@MildMisanthropeMaybeMassive Yeah, that was it! I read it in French, hence... Yeah it was very dense, and the art is amazing, shockful of detail, and the whole narrative is very emotionally charged. It doesn't help that it's not super polished, that the artist used lined paper and ballpen. Gorgeous in its own way, but also sort of messy. Fundamentally the narrator lives and sees things in a peculiar way. It can be called childish fantasy, it can be called mild dysphoria, but it's certainly rather disquieting.

[@danjirinnn]

This movie and Eliza's speech to Giles about how she feels for the fishman broke me because all of it is so true. "He does not know what I lack or how I am incomplete" Guillermo is incredibly moving.

[@AnaS-of8ri]

I literally cried watching the movie it was so breathtakingly beautiful

[@dementialmaiden7439]

That's by far my favourite dialogue of the film

[@micrhymer4062]

Because she was never incomplete,in his eyes they were the same

[@happinesstan]

And Hawkins, as always, delivers perfectly.

[@phelanii4444]

That line actually made me cry and I think I just cried through the whole rest of the movie afterwards.

[@trinaq]

I really enjoyed this film, despite the bonkers sounding premise. But I loved the underlying theme of outsiders learning to connect with each other. All of the lead characters: Elisa, a mute woman, Giles, a gay man, Zelda, a black woman and the Amphibian, a fish man, are outcasts in some way, and the heart of the movie is them overcoming their loneliness, and finding their own happiness.

[@OoToxiToxioO]

How is a black woman and a gay man an outcast in 2021 🙄 if that's the case add straight white trumper to that or biblethumper

[@stevie9675]

@@OoToxiToxioO It's pretty obvious that you didn't watch the film. The movie took place in 1962 during the Cold War so yes, their characterization can be seen as outcasts especially during the time that this film took place in.

[@catzkeet4860]

@@OoToxiToxioO dude seriously? Go back under your rock, cos seriously the gulf….no, the CANYON of difference between being othered because you’re gay or disabled or a different colour/culture, and a trumpanzee who hates and would happily destroy all of the above is staggering.. obviously the idea of love being beyond appearances, beyond social mores, beyond religion…….is beyond you.

[@uwu1832]

@@OoToxiToxioO u sound slow

[@chubbybunny6975]

@@OoToxiToxioO The movie takes place during the Cold War with the Soviets in 1962 you dingus-head. Watch the movie then come back to us

[@martabarrales3112]

Guillermo del Toro truly doesn't have one cynical hair in his entire body

[@EZOnTheEyes]

I don't think the fish does either... _or any hair for that matter_

[@MicahMicahel]

one could think making a movie that was so woke is a cynical move. It's what I think of as the best representation of a woke story. This is where it works really well whereas woke elements are jammed into other movies. Accepting the moral majority of an industry could be thought of as an intentional direction. I know the written material he likes is very un-woke... stuff like HP Lovecraft and Robert E Howard and all that fantasy from the old days. He wanted to do H.P. Lovecraft's Mountains of Madness but instead did a woke romance? I think the market dictated this move. Good movie though.... just not an indication he's not cynical or hasn't learned anything by not being able to make his dream project because it might be too un-woke.

[@CJ-qg7de]

@@MicahMicahel you are deeply reading into things I think

[@zenituragaming5043]

@@MicahMicahel Ikr this film was literally leftist white male genocide WTF sjw propaganda

[@Lotsielots]

When I hear his name I just think of the stereotypical weird dark fairy weird folktale with shocking weird dark moments and the characters doing strange unrealistic things like automatically thinking scary creatures are their friends. They are silly plots that make no sense.

[@aliebellule]

I feel such a kinship with Guillermo del Toro's films. Any one who has felt like an outcast and remained defiantly full of hope does.

[@QualityCulture]

“Defiantly full of hope” is such a lovely way of putting it ❤️

[@PrincessArielAngel]

maybe that's why...why pan's labyrinth resonated so much with me as a girl and even now...why I saw myself in ophelia

[@aldenwashington7793]

I remember watching pans labyrinth when I was reallyyyy young and I’ve loved him since

[@sauerkrautjr]

and that's why I love Pacific Rim so much

[@rosecityronin]

I betchu feel a kinship with Downeys, too. 🤣

[@catlawyerwilldefendfortrea6038]

For me THIS is how you retell Beauty and the beast for adults. Not a shot by shot remake. It captures the essence of looking passed the looks, feeling cursed, learning compassion and also dealing with beast side of the Beast. You even get the same dynamic as Belle, Beast and Gustan.

[@inuloveskago]

In beauty and the beast (the animated version only), it’s also about looking past the appearance. Belle loved his personality because if you remember, she said she loved him, he transformed in front of her eyes and she was skeptical of this human man in front of her. But she looks into his eyes and finds the man she fell in love with. She doesn’t judge his appearance but shows that what she fell in love with was the man she got to know. I feel like people focus too much on his appearance and forget this. Del Toro spelled it out a bit more but beauty and the beast achieved the same message.

[@catlawyerwilldefendfortrea6038]

@@inuloveskago That's true! You're right! I never picked up on the eyes thing.

[@dianeaishamonday9125]

*Gaston But yeah

[@nunyanunya4147]

because EVERY romance movie is this set up... compasionate too good for her enviroment chick... guy with obvious short comings... asshole representing sociaty.... side kick (usually minority/forigner/special intrest group to fully drive home the point that GIRL really is too good for her enviroment) that represents the potential ov sociaty (usually killed by asshole representing socity). the only diffrence is cgi... amount ov tits and dick shown... and who the minority we are ment to root for as an attempt to pass as 'sub context'

[@rociomiranda5684]

I love this movie. It's a fairy tale. There are many subtle and not so subtle references to Andersen's tales (specially The Little Mermaid and The Red Shoes) and hints that Elisa is a sort of sea creature herself, a mermaid out of water. I mean, the merman doesn't create her gills, he just opens them. Besides, he's a god, not an animal. That's more overt in the book than in the movie. (Book and movie came out at the same time). I wish Del Toro had directed King Kong.

[@gabrielleduplessis7388]

I never thought of it that way. Now I am less confused. Thank you. I was so confused how she could live in the water if she could not breathe under there. I have not read the Red shows, but I completely did notice notice the parallels to the Little Mermaid. Now I have a new perspective. Thanks.

[@meloetta1542]

@@gabrielleduplessis7388 There was a line in the movie where they say how she was found by a river with cuts in her neck as a baby and there are more details you notice if you look for them

[@gabrielleduplessis7388]

@@meloetta1542 i will definitely do that next time. Thanks. Eases my confusion a bit.

[@katrinalindsey1869]

Another fun thing I noticed re:this movie and the Andersen references is that instead of being Eliza with a 'z', the protagonist's name is Elisa with an 's', which is also the name of the protagonist of The Wild Swans, another of Andersen's most famous stories, who has to break the curse on her brothers by not speaking and staying completely silent until she's finished weaving shirts made of nettles for all seven of them. Not the same as movie Elisa being physically mute, obviously, but an interesting detail and something I haven't seen anyone else point out afaik

[@Disisdabeast]

I love how you called it a fairy tale. That's what I consider this movie to be. Happilly ever after and all. The fact that while this movie is for mature audiences, that it almost made me feel like a kid again...Del Toro is a genius.

[@bruna7534]

So, The shape of water is basically Del Toro's black lagoon fanfic

[@docrasey2232]

No, it's far more than that. It's a love letter to all who feel outcast, undesireable, different, and alone in a society that fears and hates us because we are "other".

[@bruna7534]

@@docrasey2232 I know, it was just a joke, I got the point. Besides, saying it's a fanfic is not a offense itself, if you go further than "well, what if this character banged this other", fanfics reflects the watcher's view and subverts them into the active and creative role by writing a new possibility

[@dra2521]

@@docrasey2232 it's still a fanfic though. Youre operating under the assumption that fanfics are created simply for sexual fantasy and dont have good writing or attack core issues. Fanfics can be one or the other or both.

[@nabeelaudah5171]

True. I'm actually doing the same thing with him, every time I read something I dont like I will stopped reading and made my own version of the story inside my head. The fact that he actually has the skill and determination to make it into reality is really inspiring. what an icon

[@banhbae]

the shape of water: black lagoon-inspired fix-it fic, 100k word slow burn, found family, strangers to lovers, with a dash of monsterfucking. yeah i'd read this fic. and bookmark it.

[@Ren-hc4ke]

Personally I've always hated how people talk about the movie and how any discussion about it is always prefaced with how "odd" or "strange" it is when I've never thought about it in that context. So many stories in western pop culture would also be strange if their premise was blatantly stated but are either so ingrained in our minds or are made to cater to certain demographics, like kids, that we don't think twice about it. I feel as though talking about how "weird" it is keeps us accepting it as it is and recognizing it as the very human story it is ultimately about.

[@auldthymer]

You remind me of a comedian who poked fun at TV Guide. "Streetcar Named Desire" -- Stanley's bowling game is interrupted by a visit from sister-in-law Blanch.

[@ericktellez7632]

Guillermo is Mexican, Mexico is in the west. This movie is western. Or are we not white enough for your definition of western?

[@Ren-hc4ke]

@@ericktellez7632 That's literally what I'm saying. I'm literally saying that other stories in Western pop culture can also be perceived as strange but aren't. And even though Guillermo is Mexican, the movie was distributed by American companies. Wikipedia literally says it's an American movie hence why I said Western. I'm sorry that the omission of the word "other" hindered you from understanding my comment and you responded by being combative and defensive.

[@KA-ow9ft]

Tbh no one had a problem with Tom Hanks falling in love with a mermaid in Splash!, so when people went on about how weird and out there this film was, it kind of made me go?? But then again, I've been involved in fandom spaces and have been terminally online for much of my life, so maybe my life long monster fucking self just normalized this and it seems pretty normal to me now.

[@Indijana]

Yeah... these same people, who think this is weird, have no problem watching anything Marvel related or alien type stuff. Like filling in love with an alien isn't just as "out there" of a concept but there's action in between so that makes it okay. 🤷🏻‍♀️😑 Edit: spelling correction

[@rottensquid]

I think the "monster sex" part of the film is pretty essential, for the very reason it makes us uncomfortable. It's challenging to wrap our minds around how anyone could feel that way, and so demands our empathy, and awakens our curiosity to understand the heroine's feelings, which was kind of the whole point of the film. Of course, it's also written from a male point of view, a male fish monster receiving of the love of a beautiful woman. I think for Guillermo and other male audience members (like myself), it'd be harder to wrap our heads around a male protagonist falling in love with a female monster. There are examples of course, but they tend to involve female monsters who're far more sexy than monstrous. Reverse that ratio and you'd have a lot of men going, "Nope, don't buy it."

[@TiffyVella1]

Perhaps movies where men have sex with female monsters often follow the trope of "sexy woman catfishes man and turns into ravenous monster once he's aroused in order to nom him"? So there's sort of a morality tale/warning injected in there: beware the power of the sexy woman in case she eats you part way through. But these tales are more about lust than love. I didn't personally see the sex scene as being too male-gazey. The camera didn't linger on Elisa's body in that creepy way it usually does. The sex scene felt like an organic part of the storytelling, necessary to highlighting the connection between the characters. And the fish man...ahem...he was hot, despite some monsterism. I hope they ended up meeting in the ocean and swimming off happily together.

[@annabeinglazy5580]

It's also just really funny to me, who reads and watches a lot of fantasy. The Genre is FULL of human - Monster romance. Beauty and the beast is beloved by all. Twilight Features human - Monster relationships. Half the Fantasy Anime i grew Up with featured this in one way or another. Hell, Guillermo dem torro already used that trope in His Hellboy movies! The big difference is that in this Iteration, the Monster a) doesnt Turn human at the end and b) isnt LOOKING human. In Vampire romance, you get a Monster thats also a literal Predator and as likely to rip your throat Out as it is to kiss you. But people are comfortable with that because they LOOK human. Same with the weird age Gap hypocrisy where all is Well as Long as the 300year old Guy LOOKS Like a teenager. I find a visible non-human Monster much more engaging because it forces you to engage with the otherness. You cant Gloss over it, you cant ignore it. And that is why people dont know how to handle it.

[@rottensquid]

@@TiffyVella1 I mean, no one is arguing he isn't hot. Doug Jones was over the moon about how hot his butt looked in the costume. Doug has had dance training to build muscle, but clearly his body simply can't create fat, so he'll never have a juicy butt. So that must have been fun for him.

[@rottensquid]

@@annabeinglazy5580 What's so interesting about all these different monster/human romances is that they almost always involve men as the monsters, and in every case, the monstrousness is a thin metaphor for male violence against women. Beauty and the Beast is a sort of reverse "Taming of the Shrew" story, a guide to managing violent husbands so you can enjoy their wealth. In a world where women couldn't generate or inherit wealth on their own, this is an essential lesson. But Twilight demonstrates that this lesson has still to be learned, romanticizing the task of turning predatory Peter Pans who chase under-age women into passably decent partners. The big difference, of course, is that Beauty and the Beast seems a more necessary lesson for surviving feudal Europe as a woman, while Twilight is about hanging on to romantic notions that feminism has long proven both obsolete and profoundly damaging.

[@rottensquid]

@@TiffyVella1 So all this leads us to the need for a rehabilitation of the "monstrous lady" trope. The catfishing monster lady, like the fem fatale, draws its horror from the notion of a woman doing to a man what men routinely do to women. She draws him in with the promise of a sexual conquest, only for him to realize that he's the conquest. It equates male humiliation with death. You can see this fear played out in real life in the form of the pervasive myth of the catfishing trans woman, which illustrates exactly how afraid men are of being subjected to the same treatment reserved for women, the horror of a penis. So the question is, what inspires the horror of this trope, and how do we address the sexism embedded in it?

[@jordantoczek3237]

As a woman with autism, I have been in the category of an “other” my whole life. I always stood out as the weird girl obsessed with cartoons and anime. I was the girl who had the hardest time trying to figure out what someone else could pick up in an instant like sarcasm and subtle social cues. I also love the story of monsters getting the girl at the end. I guess that’s why I love this movie so much. I want connections and love as much as the next person, but what I want more is to be understood and accepted for who I am. I am me and that can never change. I can adapt a lot better to my environment to make myself more clear, but my core will always be intact and unshifting

[@mxknifefight]

​@being yourself aspergers hasn't been in the dsm since 2013 so there isn't a distinction between it and autism anymore ! /nm

[@GamerPrincessXI]

I love cartoons and anime

[@buckhead40z]

As a fellow monster, I fully agree with everything you shared, as if I said it myself. Our struggles may be different, but our aspirations align. I truly hope you find what you are looking for, and may it be worth the wait. 🙏

[@FaiaHalo]

Oof- what you said about a male protagonist and a mermaid was SO ON POINT. Thank you SO MUCH for giving us such quality videos, filled with critical content. So needed. Thank you. Much love from Argentina.

[@an8strengthkobold360]

While I don't disagree with the over all point I think that specific example wouldn't be the same if it were a merman (instead it would just be made fun of for being "mommy porn").

[@FaiaHalo]

@@an8strengthkobold360 you mean a human and a merman? Although the thing they mentioned was a male human and a mermaid.

[@an8strengthkobold360]

@@FaiaHalo women × merman

[@user-hb4zz4gh5e]

@@an8strengthkobold360 The example she gave in the video was a human male and female mermaid

[@an8strengthkobold360]

@@user-hb4zz4gh5e yes I'm aware, that's not my point.

[@juliashank4527]

Something I love about shape of water and pan's labyrinth is the way the female leads are treated. They are simply leads who are female, and they don't require some weird arch about proving a sexist wrong through "girl power". Both films allow the woman to be happy at the end, even if she suffered.

[@FabiolaRVela]

Yes, they don’t feel forced, which does happen in modern movies unfortunately

[@docrasey2232]

This is my all-time favorite film. Even the trailer spoke to me so clearly that I and my daughter drove 35 miles on a snowy night to see it (our local theater refused to show it UNTIL it got Oscar nominations.) What strikes me hardest about this film is that EVERY character in it is, in some way, mute. Not one of them, except the charcters who literally cannot speak, can voice the truth of themselves. Giles must remain closeted, Delilah is a black woman in a time when both were utterly ignored, Dmitri is a scientist with a poet's soul who must remain silent because of politics, and even Strickland cannot speak other than the pre-programmed lines societally expected of a "man" (and that is STILL a huge problem today, and one of the reasons so many, many men have mental health issues.) Only Elisa and the Amphibian Man find their voices, because only they learn to love without reservation, and they have to suffer and die to do it. Our society has an extreme fear and hatred of authentic people with real, unashamed voices, and will seek to destroy anyone who dares speak outside their assigned dialogue. Our society fears and hates love outside strictly defined, rigid, joyless, "approved" appearances. Don't take my word for it; you can easily see it all around you. This movie points out and challenges that notion, and that is precisely why so many people scoffed at and derided this film and obsessed of the sex scenes, disregarding and discarding everything else in it. I think Del Toro knew that would happen, because he knew he was touching on the "wrong" or "unnatural" desires and fantasies we all have but keep hidden out of externally induced shame and out of fear of being labelled "other" and being destroyed for it if we admit to them, or worse, give in to them. I think we all feel we secretly are "monsters" of one sort or another. We just refuse to own it. And that's why so many pretend not to understand this movie.

[@AnnaBell033]

This is a beautiful comment

[@idiasweet8191]

Underrated comment right here. I like how you pieced everything together!

[@medusaspupil]

Best comment ever!!!

[@medusaspupil]

You just dropped the mic on all other comments 👍👍

[@trustytrest]

Funny you should mention Strickland and how men are only allowed a limited "masculine" personality or else risk being ostracized. Masculinity is supposed to be about strength and fearlessness, but really it's about conformity and complacency. It's not even worth picking apart the difference between 10 men when they're all just trying to be the same thing to varying results.

[@chubbybunny6975]

I never thought the romance was weird. I love consensual interpsecies relationships in fiction, always have. It's love that persists past appearance is companionship and understanding. I went to see this movie BECAUSE of the romance and intimacy, and was treated to not only those scenes, but the wonderful storytelling about being othered. I'm bisexual, trans, and on the Autism Spectrum. I can find little details about each of the characters that I relate to. I loved everything about this film.

[@astoldbynickgerr]

💙💙💙💙💙💙💙

[@shinjite06]

The popularity of games like Mass Effect shows that interspecies romance isnt that obscure after all.

[@chubbybunny6975]

@@shinjite06 Exactly. Not to mention in Beauty and the Beast, I HATED when he became human just like Guillermo lol

[@trinaq]

Preach, Elisa and the Asset fall for each other due to their personalities, not their appearances, and see the other as a kindred spirit.

[@materla4102]

@@chubbybunny6975 I saw it when I was a kid once and for many years I remembered only the story but not the transformation of him back to the human. I was somehow baffled when I rewatched it.

[@nessarolla]

The way Del Toro talks about anything is just so captivating. You can see his genuine love and sincerity when he talks about his films and other things in the world.

[@jadelee6555]

"The beast doesn't have to turn into a boring fucking prince to be loved" Me, watching Beauty and the Beast as a child and absolutely HATING the human prince once he transformed: *YES!!!!!!!!*

[@amy_pieterse]

Same

[@JPEGTOMUSIC]

finally someone said this!!!!!

[@LadyAstarionAncunin]

Ah, then you should have watched the Ron Perlman/Linda Hamilton Beauty and the Beast show G.R.R.M. worked on. I used to watch when I was little. Also, I thought that the Prince in the Disney version looked weird. Maybe it was how the light hit his face after he turned around. I remember feeling disappointed. lol

[@TheMrMRsmoke]

Beast would’ve got bigger dick anyway -belle, probably

[@crimsonbladewielder1975]

Shrek did a better job than beauty&thebeast

[@WulfLovelace]

I always saw this film as a representation of disability. By having a Deaf MC, the creature represents how the outside world views us with disabilities. And how we are not often seen as the leads of any sweeping romance or we are not even considered attractive. Instead we are dehumanized, we are seen as inhuman. I mean questions like, "Would you date a girl in a wheelchair" as if it is an actual preference exist in the world. Monsters are a great way of exploring themes like this because of how often Disabled people have been othered.

[@bridgettelair370]

You might like this manga called Yankee-kun to Hakujou Girl, it's about an outcast delinquent falling in love with a blind girl and their relationship and daily hurdles. It's super sweet and wholesome.

[@docrasey2232]

I grew up with two brothers who were in wheelchairs (Muscular Dystrophy.) I have seen and experienced first-hand what you are saying. I remember, too, meeting a woman with Spina Bifida, who relied on crutches to get around, and being very disappointed that she had a boyfriend and was monogamous, because she was so amazing that I wanted very much to date and be with her. I mentioned that to a friend and found myself being publically mocked for "wanting to f**k a cripple."

[@julzeeb4]

Ah, she isn’t deaf! She is mute, I believe her vocal chords were cut when she was little (hence the scars on her neck). Therefore, she uses ASL to communicate.

[@dra2521]

Mute, not deaf. But yes.

[@WulfLovelace]

@@julzeeb4 Point still being she cannot communicate the way society deems as "normal"

[@lekizzle1458]

18:10 Since I was a kid I always thought I was the only one who didn't like that the beast transformed into a human again. "Love is not transformation, love is acceptance and understanding"

[@inuloveskago]

It’s missing the mark to say you wish he had stayed a beast though. You’re not accepting him as him. Belle loved his personality because if you remember, she said she loved him, he transformed in front of her eyes and she was skeptical of this human man in front of her. But she looks into his eyes and finds the man she fell in love with. She doesn’t judge his appearance but shows that what she fell in love with was the man she got to know. I feel like people focus too much on his appearance and forget this.

[@skullcrusade3436]

@@inuloveskago You're absolutely right, people conveniently forgets that part of the movie where Belle was actually afraid that the Man in front of her was not the Beast she fell in love with. His eyes told the truth though... and they were in love.

[@ItsTooLatetoApologize]

@@inuloveskago yes, and love also transformed the beast from the cruel lonely beast to a kind thoughtful beast who put Belle’s needs before his own. Belle didn’t ask him to change, she didn’t expect him to change, but love changed him. And because he changed, Belle fell in love with him. It was only after Belle admitted she loved him that he physically transformed but he had emotionally transformed before that.

[@FrankysABoysName]

@@inuloveskago tbf the original comment said "when I was a kid". and I feel like we were so accepting of the beasts appearance, it wouldn't have mattered *what* he looked like as a human, it was just a shocking transformation. I feel the same way when my husband grows a beard, I get used to it and then he shaves it off randomly - it's like I'm seeing a different person for a few days.

[@inuloveskago]

@@FrankysABoysName The comment says “since I was a kid” which gives a different meaning, as in saying that they still believe to this day.

[@midnightjay]

Whoa whoa whoa, people didn't like this movie? I really enjoyed it and think it covered some heavy themes really well. I'm surprised and at the same time not surprised it got shit on. People are focusing on Elisa with the fish man and not what the movie is saying. It's so much more than WomanxMonster troupe but I guess to each their own in terms of those who didn't like it though. The themes is what makes it shine imo and the atmosphere/music/acting was all really good.

[@gabrielleduplessis7388]

I enjoyed the themes of humanity and treating everyone fairly despite our differences. Also, how humans have the urge (not all) to experiment on creatures they have never seen before. Sometimes the military looks fir their next biological weapon. I just get deterred by the intimacy of two creatures who don’t share the same genetics physically because I think it too literally. Also, how can live with him. She has no gills. She can’t breathe under there. Maybe it is wrong for me to think this way, but while I can suspend my disbelief, it is difficult to not think literally or logically sometimes. However, the friendships in the story make the movie a must watch.

[@gabrielleduplessis7388]

Edit: i forgot she grew gills at the end. Sorry.

[@Greenteabook]

I'm always surprised when people don't like Del Toro films. From giant mech droids controlled with the power of friendship and nuclear energy all the way to a murder mystery with helpful ghosts that just want to warn you about the oddly close siblings. I just love GDT.

[@chubbybunny6975]

@@gabrielleduplessis7388 That’s what love is, though. Love persists past if you can work intimately with someone, it’s genuine care for their well-being and loving them despite possibly not being able to be intimate, or finding creative ways to get around it and bond. He was humanoid in shape, could understand language and comprehend consent, and could give that consent. Despite looking different, he was worth loving 💕

[@gabrielleduplessis7388]

@@chubbybunny6975 i get that. And I admired that aspect of the story. I guess I am one of the few people who has a hard tome getting past that part, but it dies not mean I don’t respect and admire what they went through to be together.

[@MackenzieChandlerDunnavant]

I've been a Guillermo stan since Hellboy, and I also wanted the Creature from the Black Lagoon to get the girl, so I already knew I'd love this movie from the jump. But the musical number just set it over the top for me. It was the first time in a while a movie made me smile with my whole face. Movies these days take themselves so seriously, and this film just energizes me with its absurd sincerity. I have this couple tattooed on my arm.

[@sarahcatemusic]

ME JUST FINDING OUT HE DIRECTED BOTH OF THOSE AND THATS WHY I LIKE THIS MOVIE SO MUCH

[@mikhailviktor7162]

Every time I hear a quote from Guillermo Del Toro I am utterly struck by how intelligent and empathetic he is, and how much I want to emulate him.

[@PoppyHapalopus]

As someone who has time and time again been stripped of her dignity and humanity due to autism, sexuality, and my gender identity... movies where nonhumans are respected as nonhuman (i.e., aren't transformed by the end) and are still treated with the same respect as their human counterparts are so important. I've always gravitated towards werewolf media, but Del Toro's monster movies are something else entirely. The werewolf is all rage and revenge. Del Toro's monsters can be tender, while still being themselves. I don't have to meet a certain standard of what's "human enough" to deserve love and respect. Movies like The Shape of Water, Pan's Labyrinth, and Hellboy give me the encouragement I need to own my "monstrous" traits.

[@TiffyVella1]

I always found The Little Mermaid to be so, so bleak (original story, not familiar with the Disney version) for how the Ultimate Reward for the mermaid was to give up her uniqueness and her gifts and mermaidness to earn a pain-stricken human body and finally an eternal soul. AND she was yet another who sought the love of a conventional prince. It's a denial of who and what she already was, and she lost her perfect voice. Del Toro would treat the Little Mermaid with a lot more respect.

[@georgiajohnson4983]

I wish more werewolf movies portrayed a gentle and tender wolf man. I hate the angry murderous werewolf trope because real wolves aren’t like that. I’d love a more positive emphasis on werewolves. And no twilight doesn’t count lol.

[@PoppyHapalopus]

@@georgiajohnson4983 There is one werewolf movie that managed to strike that chord with my. When Animals Dream/Når Dyrene Drømmer. The werewolf is used as a very well-handled metaphor for growing into womanhood. Unfortunately I lost my DVD in a move and the film is impossible to find online (unless you wanna give money to Amazon, I guess)

[@reneejedimaster]

@@PoppyHapalopus I'll try to look for that movie thank you ❤️

[@poetryqn]

@@georgiajohnson4983 Try Mamoru Hosoda's animated film, Wolf Children.

[@satya4234]

Thank you for giving this movie the appreciation it deserves. To me, the characters are so compelling. I really love that the main characters are underdogs, I love that they band together to help another outcast. This film has a big heart and I love it for it.

[@rachelnesser9223]

Yes -- all my sentiments exactly!🙂👍🏻🧜🏻‍♀️💦🥚🎞💙

[@TiffyVella1]

Yes!

[@bridgethammond7]

I personally wasn’t a fan of the style of this movie but I do appreciate the underlying message of the story and the characters who are outcasts in their society coming together to do something amazing to save the fish man. Within that unity they found power and acceptance in each other and in themselves. I also like how they showcase the 50/60s era that is so misunderstood as the “good times.” When it was the complete opposite of the glossed over view we think of it.

[@trinaq]

I concur, while the style and story won't be to everyone's tastes, the message about loneliness and the need for companionship is still relevant today.

[@sakurapablo671]

I love his movies. In which, I’ve seen Pan’s Labyrinth, Crimson Peak and The Shape of Water. Since they do capture of what life is at some point that connects us as humans.

[@JeusAlprime108]

Yeah, he kind of illustrated how most human disregard their humanity while all other creatures in his works displaying a huge resemblance of humanity more than most human characters in his works who are blind by either greed or wrath or ego.

[@janestarjohnston1815]

This whole story reminds me of the love story between Mereum (a monster) and Komugi (a blind girl) in the Hunter x Hunter (2011) anime. Because Komugi couldn't see mereum she was not afraid of him like others, and because of this lack of fear this blind human girl brought out a humanity that the monster wasn't supposed to have. These kind of stories are always so beautiful.

[@BlazerT48]

Their love story is probably my favorite in the entire anime/fiction in general. It's love in the purest form without any judgement and prejudice, just based on mutual respect and love for shogi

[@rosesweetcharlotte]

I don't even think it's that she was blind so much that she was humble and kind, yet also fearless. And not fearless because she was blind, but because just in general life was always against her and yet she carried on and did the best she could. And if she couldn't do that, she was resolved to die.

[@dannyphantom404]

YESSSS I’m glad i’m not the only one who thought that too!!

[@terra_the_nightingale135]

Meruem and Komugi remain to be one of my favorite romances ever. Seeing it develop and the effect she had on him was so sweet

[@voidnoidoid]

Meruem and komugi's love story is one of my favorites love stories in anime ever! I cried so hard watching them

[@riotbreaker3506]

When it came out, I remember a few people in highschool telling me they didn't like it because it was just about doing a fishman, a few years later, I realized what kind of people they were, and having watched the film, it completely blew me away.

[@stephaniecourteoreille5972]

My god I can't STAND those people, they make school _sooo_ much more tiring

[@orcinus2104]

When I first saw the movie I immediately made a connection to the whole issue about people who are 'othered' as you put it; the struggles of those who are different. Like, seriously, a mute D/HoH girl, a closeted gay man, an African-American woman, a Russian who is not evil in an American movie? Make the connections! I loathe the toxic ignorance of those who said it's just about a girl f*ckin a fish

[@dulcierobertson7828]

I think it's really moving to see a film where the monster doesn't have to be tragic or lonely. In lots of old films the monsters are sympathetic characters, inspired by the experiences of disfigured ww1 veterans, but those monsters never get a happy ending. The Shape of Water shows people and monster being compassionate to one another and it makes it feel so much more hopeful! Loved your video essay btw! ❤️

[@selty]

WOW. I've never considered that silver screen monsters were an interpretation of veterans. This is incredibly eye opening. Thank you

[@dulcierobertson7828]

@@selty yeah, it's a really moving history when you look into it! I think that's why those older movies feel so painful and sad - and why they're so different from nineteenth century literature where disfigurement just signifies evil

[@thebotanicalden8468]

I honestly cried during the film, it was and still is really good.

[@freelanceangel8962]

I openly sobbed for a good half of it and I still cry when I watch it, so you're definitely not the only one.

[@VibingMeike]

I haven't watched the whole movie yet but the part where Elisa tries to say how she feels about the fish man has me crying like a baby

[@bigbawlzlebowski8886]

She got them cheeks clapped.

[@docrasey2232]

I was in tears from the opening narration on. I still cry both happy and sad every time I watch it. The scene when Elisa does the dance steps down the hall, then smiles to herself because she can sense a change is coming gives me the shivers. Then, when she goes outside to the bus stop and sees a man holding a birthday cake with one piece missing, and green and blue balloons, foreshadowing the imminent rebirth of Elisa and all she touches, I am just in awe of Del Toro's story-telling power.

[@ahoyhere8113]

really great! i was one of those people (who hadn’t seen it) thinking “lolol fish sex ok” and you totally changed my mind. i’m definitely going to watch it now. and i had no idea guillermo del toro was such a thoughtful, kind man.

[@QualityCulture]

I hope you enjoy it 😊

[@riddlemepiss]

i hope that you liked it. it’s such a beautiful movie!

[@Disisdabeast]

I really hope you like it. Deadass a top 10 movie for me. 100 percent deserved all of it's awards.

[@docrasey2232]

If you have ever felt alone, or "outside", or unloved and unloveable, if you have ever felt you had no voice in the world, this movie will speak to your heart. It's Del Toro's love letter to all who have ever felt that way.

[@codyboyd3954]

i get what youre saying but i 100% watched it for the sexy fish man

[@mori6434]

Same. I heard "fish monster gets the girl" and came running. I was not disappointed in the slightest. Del Toro is the secret Hollywood operative us monster f***ers need.

[@edamame1879]

sameeee, i totally agree with del toro's statement about beauty and the beast. we need more monster x human love story

[@skullcrusade3436]

@@mori6434 Teratophiles: We came looking for gold and found gold.

[@mori6434]

@@skullcrusade3436 finally, some good fucking food

[@humyra6719]

I wish we could favorite comments bc this. This would be mine.

[@minegerber7487]

I think like how the tiger in life of pi was actually a figment of Patels imagination to help him cope with his moral sins, The Shape of Water should also be interpreted metaphorically. We should not fixate on the fact that a woman is banging a fish but how she metaphorically found someone as much of an outcast if not more than she is. Its like Dr. Seuss said... when someone's weirdness is compatible with your own....

[@goldy6405]

I actually wished for someone to make a movie with this concept ever since I saw Hellboy’s fish monster guy. So Guillermo really did make my dreams come true!

[@IDKwhatimdoing-b5h]

The costume for the fish guy is stunning, I hope the person who made was awarded for it.

[@eontitan277]

I really like how naturally you narrate your videos, it doesn't sound forced or robotic at all, and you aren't needlessly shouting like so many other channels do. It's really refreshing when people take time to make videos that they actually care about themselves and let it show through the quality of their work.

[@QualityCulture]

Thanks for the kind words! 🙏🏽

[@NewFoundLife]

I am in love with this movie, and I appreciate that you pointed out how frustrating it was that the movie became an internet meme instead of being viewed as a serious story. I still tear up at the scene were Eliza tries to convince Giles to help her save the Creature. "The way he looks at me he does not know what I lack or how I am incomplete... He's happy to see me, every time, every day." That to me is why I love Monster Romance as a genre. It goes beyond "Well, how conventionally attractive is the love interest?" and forces us to focus on the humanity of the individual. I myself am a queer, disabled woman and so relationships to me already don't look like the conventional romance narratives, which is why I think Monster Romances are so appealing. When Eliza says, "He does not know what I lack" it's like, "Oh yeah, that's why I love Monster Romance. Because I myself love outside of society's standards and want to be appreciated outside of those standards as well."

[@rachelsreads8559]

The Shape of Water is hands down my absolute favorite film. As someone who has always been othered in some way all throughout their life, Del Toro’s films have always made me feel seen and understood. Especially this one. The first time I saw TSOW in theaters I practically cried through most of the film because it felt like someone knew exactly what I needed and made it into one of the most beautiful stories I’ve ever seen.

[@SpookyDarling]

“Love is not about transformation. It’s about acceptance and understanding.”

[@ellaberintodejuan0524]

Guillermo Del Toro is a huge inspiration to me. Not only because of his movies are some of my favorites but because I can see myself in him. I also was born and raised in Mexico in a very strict Religious family in the times of “being gay/loving art/not being a macho is being an outcast”. I love that not only he brings things of our culture into the movies but also is I reminder that I , a Mexican immigrant, can also make it out there and make it great. Also he just makes dope monsters designs and I’m all for monster/character design. Also this is ones of the first movies I watched with my girlfriend who I very much want to marry and spend the rest of my life with so I have some emotional attachment to it.

[@makmart5298]

This film was so beautiful. I remember how heartwarming and sweet I felt every facor marry together. The music, the characters and colors, how can u not root for their romance?

[@wickjezek1101]

Shout out to Sally Hawkins- her ASL is really moving and organic. Her visual gestural communication is beautiful.

[@Nkanyiso_K]

I loved this which was so eloquently summaries the heart that Del Toro puts into monster films

[@laniakeas92]

As a humble xenophile myself I appreciate a daily dose of love between different sentient anthropomorphic species xDDD But yeah. There's a deep beautiful meaning behind a core of the movie It's about connecting on a mental level. Appearances don't really matter. And everyone can find love I greatly enjoyed this movie. Guillermo's movies are pieces of art. Thank you for reviewing this

[@mori6434]

Fellow xenophile and same. It took me a long time to get around to watching it but I loved it even before I did just on principal alone. Then I watched it and fell even harder in love by how heartfelt and emotional it was. Del Toro really do be out here making our dreams come true huh?

[@riosaharu]

This is a beautifully edited essay that highlights everything I love about this movie and Guillermo del Toro's work overall. You wove together his interviews with your own commentary and scenes from the film with a really compelling balance. Though imo The Shape of Water is his most overtly sincere film, even his 'darker' works are as lacking in cynicism as they are uncompromising in their depictions of fascism/trauma/etc. It's a difficult chord to strike, but del Toro always manages. Anyway, thank you for making this lovely video about the fishie-kissy movie

[@hackyc9924]

This film was and still is witchhunted in China. I can still remember the overbearing kind of ignorance and hatred towards it after its release, especially after its BP Oscar win. The anger, fear and overall hopelessness I felt are still burning in my veins till this day.

[@hackyc9924]

All human beings have the nature of exclusivity to a certain degree. It is more so in the realms where people are trained to belittle individuality and simply demonize anything that is different than the norm.

[@AnaSofia-xe2wg]

It's illegal in china?

[@lysandracaspez578]

I understand how you feel!! It’s one of my favorite movies but to hear others reduce it or make fun of it( even worse, AFTER WATCHING IT) is so frustrating. But in a way that brings us closer to the movie…

[@hackyc9924]

@@AnaSofia-xe2wg China has a morbid and strict quota system for importing foreign films. Apart from the disgusting censorship part, the films that are allowed on the silver screens here are usually mindless ones, or at least the ones that can be camouflaged as "superficial Hollywood Blockbusters". No way in hell they can challenge the Chinese "core values" or the government.

[@hackyc9924]

@@AnaSofia-xe2wg This was one of the cases that were allowed in. Also a main way many Chinese people watch foreign films is pirated resources. And they really have a hard time understanding any relatively complicated movies. Most of the time they remain hateful against "western values". Considering the themes of Shape of Water and how much a "traditional" nation PRC is, it was surely condemned by most.

[@Daihatski]

What I just find amazing about the Shape of Water is something else entirely. 1) Let's make a film where the protagonist is silent. Challenging, but doable. 2) Lets make it a romance story. Establishing a deeply romantic connection between two characters, where one doesn't speak at all ... that takes some work. 3) Actually, the romantic partner is also mute. And now you have just left the plane of what a Screenplay can do. Dialogue is its strongest weapon. So you are already in the realm where "this won't work. It is impossible." is entirely reasonable to say when faced with this premise. 4) But it doesn't stop here. The Partner is also a monster. And now, if you are honest, the Romance between two mute characters where one isn't even human, that sounds like a ludicrous idea bound to fail. I would have said any day any where that this is impossible. And del Toro made it possible against all odds. There is only so much you can show before you have to start to tell. But somehow, he just waltzed over that line without a stumble.

[@Eclete]

This movie touches my heart whenever i rewatch it. It's brutal and so pure at the same time. While movie's message is straightforward, people seem not to understand it if they find this movie 'strange'. Never thought of it as such. It's cinematic masterpiece in any creative way. And its soundtrack is SO amazing! Also, i'm still very shocked people haven't recognized Sally's acting. Like, this scene at 6:47 is probably the strongest in the whole movie. You literally can't breathe and then just start crying from emotions you see she's trying so hard to convey.

[@nicoledenel]

Guillermo is great storyteller. I remember the 1st time I watched El Laberinto del Fauno and it was such a beautiful and heartbreaking movie. I think of this 2 movies in particular as fairytales. Love the point you made that mostly movies show a man falling in love of a beautiful siren as more normal. Mostly because they show them in a very human aspect but this story has the same premise but since he looks more like a "monster" many people don't see beyond that.

[@Fullmetal1890P]

"I get the feeling most people wouldn't even blink if this was about a guy wanting to get with a mermaid instead." *vivid flashbacks of The Lighthouse* ... No, that was definitely weird too.

[@manjobi]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 beautiful comment and so true

[@selty]

Especially the ejaculation scene LMAO what a wild ride and I still struggle to interpret all the meaning in that movie. But Splash, Pirates of the Carribean are two good examples.

[@GuiSmith]

@@selty I looked to the replies of this comment to see if I could have context as to the “weird” part. I don’t know if this counts as context, per se, but that definitely counts as…perspective.

[@PirateQueen1720]

In that movie, yeah. But 'Shape of Water' actually reminded me a lot of 'Splash' but in reverse. The mermaid also ends up hanging out in Tom Hank's bathtub, and they get chased by people who want to put her in a lab and in the end he runs away with her and learns to live under water.

[@syd1541]

Thank you for making this video, had to hold back tears a few times while watching. All my life because of my autism and various other mental issues, I've been beaten and told by others that they wanted me to die, and others who were more sympathetic (but rather aggravating) made comments about "I could never have an autistic child, that would be heartbreaking to see them suffer". While I can kind of see the logic, there's gaps in the reasoning because yes, I did suffer. But I didn't suffer from how I am, I suffered from how others treated me. Though in recent years with more of a push for acceptance, I've definitely been treated better since more people are trying to understand me. So this film and video analysis really resonated with me. Hit a tender spot

[@QualityCulture]

I hope you continue to experience more compassion/understanding in your life

[@CinnamonGrrlErin1]

I love Del Toro's weird approach to fairy tales. The original stories could get pretty gruesome, and I'm glad he tries to capture that.

[@Shadowhunter82767]

I actually used the "he sees me for what I am, as I am" and their relationship in my thesis on queerness in horror films, it's a beautiful written and communicated line. Also completely missed that Sally Hawkins was in Fingersmith, so nice surprise!

[@VenusianLissette]

“love is acceptance and understanding” whew! I must be emotional today, because that almost made me cry. (like a wave rushing over me.) You did a phenomenal job on this QC. I can’t describe what exactly, but Del Toro’s storytelling feels visceral to me. Emotions I can’t explain or put into words/compartmentalized experiences, are expressed in his art, or in visuals to a tee for me. Spellbinding work really.

[@sajunbecker3275]

First of all, I love this video. Your channel has become one of my all-time favorites and your material (I'm trying to stop using the word "content" because it feels soulless) is always sharp, engaging, poignant, and atmospheric. I might be kind of a strange Guillermo del Toro fan because I am deeply cynical and I tend to be drawn to directors who are bleak, cold, and emotionally remote (Ridley Scott, David Fincher, and Denis Villeneuve come to mind). Del Toro taps into the part of me that is still deeply in love with magic and timeless, earthy stories, the part of me that loves leafing through books about fairies and admiring trees that look like gnarled trolls and breathing in the sweet decay of an autumn forest. There's something about del Toro that feels like returning to the dreamland of childhood and his movies make me feel very vulnerable. He's like the crusty storyteller sitting at a fire reminding us that life is incredibly dangerous and eerie but also equally beautiful. I feel a similar way when I watch The Dark Crystal or some of the early movies of Tim Burton and Terry Gilliam. Pan's Labyrinth and The Devil's Backbone are definitely my favorite del Toro movies and although no one does immersive world-building and vivid creature design like him, I do feel like his last few movies have felt a little too slick and polished for my speed. I always want to go farther into the musty well of dark fairy tales, grimy fantasy, and ghost stories. That being said, The Shape of Water is definitely my favorite movie he's done in the last decade.

[@QualityCulture]

I love your detailed description of del Toro and how his work makes you feel, you hit the nail on the head. He somehow manages to draw out beauty even in dark stories and it really speaks to our subconscious desire to connect & be vulnerable. I can’t wait for Nightmare Alley 😭

[@28Yasmina]

I think it says a lot about the patriarchy and gender norms when a six year old thought a screaming woman being harassed by a monster would eventually get together with him. It's not a criticism of del Toro himself, I actually liked his analysis. It's just a good reminder that we need to really reflect on how "chasing a woman" until you wear her down is seen as romantic. We're all taught these things at a young by pop culture, and it's taken me a long time to unlearn it and understand how it's really harmful. Really loved your analysis!

[@JorgeGomez-kt3oq]

Jesus, did you take your meds friend?

[@wyausta]

I totally understand what you mean. I'm just glad Del Toro doesn't seem to be someone who grew up thinking that that's something applicable in real life.

[@callmestumps6954]

Therapy appointment better be scheduled soon, my guy

[@PirateQueen1720]

That's a good point, actually! There are a lot of "romance" movies where a change of music would make it into a horror. Maybe baby Guillermo wasn't listening to the music...

[@israeldepedro7522]

As a child I watched these kinds of horror movies at late night with the TV at a very low volume, to not wake up my parents, and I think the point about the music is quite right. Once you throw the music out of the equation, most of the time these monsters stop being something to run away from, and more like misunderstood beings failing to connect with humans.

[@mariatereza9721]

The part about outcasts of society relating/bonding with "monsters" is so important, since a child, i've been considered a outcast by society standards because of my appearence, and I never wanted to change who i am to fit the standards, I always wanted to be myself. I always loved movies with monsters, and even when they were portrayed as the villains, I always was against it and wanted to humanize them and be on their side, I saw myself in them, different creatures that people just didn't understand. When the movie came out and everyone was grossed out by Eliza's relationship with the sea creature, I felt so represented because I've seen monsters the same way Eliza did my whole life (no, not in a monster f#cker way), I was really happy when I saw the movie winning an oscar and it was deserved, people may not realize, but this movie is going to be important for a lot of people like me.

[@CeaseEcho]

True monsters are the ones who wear the faces of normality and morality but in the dark commit the most abusive and selfish acts.

[@gallig4n48]

Totally agree, the true monster of the movie is Strickland

[@whiteeye3453]

Its called a mask and no normality is good

[@mrmrs100]

I come from Germany and can only tell you this channel is incredibly good. I haven't seen such good content in a long time. Thanks for the work!

[@QualityCulture]

Thanks so much, I really appreciate that

[@Rosemont104]

The reaction to this film reminded me of the reaction towards the Netflix anime Beastars. It could be a combination of American Puritanism and "Ew, furries! Beastiality!" Their distaste for sex between supernatural creatures or walking animal people overshadows the actual story in their eyes.

[@nachgeben]

Literally no one cared about Beastars but weebs, and given the mangaka is a furry, the "ew, furries" sentiment was solid. But don't act like a bunch of people were screaming about their kids over it when not even most weebs gave a shit until youtubers started doing videos about it.

[@NoConsequenc3]

@@nachgeben your inability to process anything past "muh furry shit" is pathetic

[@yltraviole]

Which is weird, because the truly disturbing part of that series is the cannibalism lol

[@rubyy.7374]

I’ve seen far more Europeans complaining about furries than Americans, but okay.

[@callmestumps6954]

Literally nonody cares about beastars... This movie got international backlash because it was "weird. Why are you comparing an anime nobody cares about to a movie with massive reach?

[@MyssBlewm]

Reading the comments fills my heart with such warmth. Seeing similar sentiments other people have for Guillermo del Toro and his works ♡ I love his passion and this video was a beautiful love letter to him and his amazing works. "Shape of Water" was so beautiful and it was the perfect romance I've always wanted 😂

[@k.h.691]

I used to think that Pan's Labyrinth was my all time favorite movie until I saw The Shape of Water. I instantly fell in love with the characters of this story and loved to hate Michael Shannon's character. One of the reasons I love this movie so much is that even though it is set in a different time period, the plot's conflicts are timeless and relatable which is very difficult to do in any kind of period piece. Guillermo del Toro's films are usually a hit or miss for me but this movie is in my opinion his masterpiece. You can tell every part of this film he is passionate about and its so much more than just about the romance between a woman and a aquatic monster. Its about human behavior and society, how it shapes and molds people into who they are.

[@cremetangerine82]

As much as I loved this movie, the theme of women who are mute but sexually rapacious is also present in this movie. It’s Daryl Hannah in “Splash”, Holly Hunter in “The Piano”, Samantha Morton in “Sweet and Lowdown”, and this movie. It seems like a weird fantasy of guys who want a woman who is into sex all the time but doesn’t speak. Just my opinion, though.

[@QualityCulture]

That’s an interesting point to bring up because the antagonist of the film does exactly that (lusted after Elisa because she can’t speak), and it’s definitely framed as a bad/gross thing. I personally don’t think she seems any more sexual than the average woman. She’s a regular person who masturbates and enjoys sex 🤷🏽‍♀️

[@cremetangerine82]

@@QualityCulture Yeah, I just noticed that theme of “sexy mute woman” pops up a lot, and it’s a little alarming. To Del Toro’s credit, it’s coming from the movie’s villain.

[@stephnue7790]

@@cremetangerine82 This is indeed an interesting aspect. When I watched the movie I thought that it was a explicit critic. It is also obvious when Strickland has sex with his wive (about half an hour into the movie). There he covers Elaine's mouth with his hand. And he also uses his hand with the rotten finger, which makes it extra gross. And the soundtrack is really interesting: When Elisa and Fishmann have sex the music makes it clear that this is romantic. But when Strickland has sex to the sound of him banging (excuse the wording, but this seems more appropriate here) his wive transforms into the sounds of the facility. I think it was a great way to show that this is really not positive. And from Fishmann''s perspective (and also hopefully the audience) Elisa is the only person that can speak to him. But this still might worth criticizing...

[@echothenardier8053]

Yeah, I interpreted it as a critique of the trope, and showing how the villain doesn’t truly care about the woman and her individual agency. In our society the voice is a symbol of power, so the suppression or lack of a voice is seen as a lack of power, and this may play into the villain’s focus on it

[@Keeva-]

When I was a kid I watched Beauty and the Beast, and I sobbed my heart out when he became human again at the end, because I thought she would just love the beast and they'd be happy. I guess I was destined to fall in love with The Shape of Water and it's now my favourite movie. 💙

[@IHEARTCALYPSO444EVA]

this is my favourite movie, my comfort movie😩💕 I'm so glad you're talking about it

[@skadigemini]

This video summed up why I love interspecies romance and why this movie was underrated. ^^

[@kenethy6875]

I have been brought to tears by Del Toro's speech, omg he's such a gentle and open minded person......

[@o.h.6946]

I'm writing my thesis about this movie. Wish me luck, guys.

[@andih6658]

I went into this movie and was swept up by their pure romance. Felt like it was a movie that definitely showed, rather than told.

[@Pendrake]

I will forever feel robbed that we didn't get del Toro's version of the Hobbit, especially given what we wound up with instead. Not that I think Peter Jackson isn't also a good director, but he definitely seemed a decade past caring about those movies. Imagine the mirkwood spiders as del Toro would portray them, the great goblin, or even Smaug himself. His take on Thranduil's elves would've been cool to see too; they were much more mysterious in the books. He brings so much earnest, weird energy to his projects and the movies we got just felt so tired. Like, tell me his version of Riddles in the Dark wouldn't be ten times more interesting than what we got.

[@joshboy64]

This is seriously a video I've wanted to make for a long time, but you put into words exactly why this film just resonated with me so much. I remember that year of the Oscars and thinking they were going to go with Three Billboards or Dunkirk (in my opinion, the "safer" options), and when they announced del Toro won not only best director, but best picture? I was absolutely stunned and unnaturally emotional -- like I was genuinely shocked they went with probably (in my opinion) the most outwardly artistic and beautiful film of the bunch! It's a film I watch every year since I discovered it, and honestly, it makes me feel so goddamn happy and loved. Just like this video. Consider me subbed!

[@rachelnesser9223]

You know, I had the same reaction re: The Shape of Water winning the Best Picture Oscar. I was thinking they'd give the award to either Three Billboards or Get Out, and when they announced it was The Shape of Water, I was so surprised and ecstatic! Of course, all along I was really hoping it would win Best Picture, but I wasn't expecting it to actually win because, as you said, the other films in that category were "safer" bets. I was SO happy (and still am) that the Academy chose to give Best Picture (and Best Director) to The Shape of Water. 🙂💙🧜🏻‍♀️💦🥚🎞

[@almejarquien]

I love how this movie is basically Shrek

[@QualityCulture]

Lmao love this hot take

[@RomeoMontagueidv]

*ded*

[@tinyghost4337]

your done 🤣🤣

[@meepbeepborp]

I went out my way to see this movie when it first came out, because they weren't showing it anywhere where I lived. Best thing I ever did, this movie became one of my favorites

[@Smashed_Potato]

I love this movie with my whole heart,. Even tho the main couple never speaks we can sense all the love they feel for eachother in such a genuine and soft way. I also love the way the villain wich appears to have the perfect life is really the most problematic and sad person in the whole movie. While the "differents" of the story, the ones who are seen as weird, are the ones that in the end get their happy ending. Weirdness is good folks! This movie is so underrated and misunderstood.

[@johnmanno2052]

Watching "Creature From the Black Lagoon" as a child, I thought the EXACT SAME THING he did. So.... "The Shape of Water" spoke to me, and resonated with me perfectly. And... I was born in 1962. When the movie was set.

[@hypnoticskull6342]

I love that Elisa turned out to be the same species as the Amphibian Man. She wasn't mute because she suffered a horrible injury, but because her gills were stitched shut, and the Amphibian Man restored her gills

[@lufuse]

Lovely video! I fell in love with Del Toro's work as a teenager, my first film i saw of his being Pan's Labyrinth. His work always has this sense of wonder and magic to it while also being grounded in the realities that a lot of marginalized people face, and they tend to envoke a sense of melancholy at their conclusion. Through his films I always had the sense that he and I were similar: highly feeling empathetic people that love fantasy and horror that have been othered. A lot of people in my life tried to crush my dreams of doing acting and art and he's one of the few artists that gave me courage to continue to pursue it anyway. I'm so happy at how successful and beloved he and his body of work are, and its my dream to be like him as well as act in one of his films some day.

[@xHarpyx]

My daughter and I really did enjoy this movie. The allegory is not that difficult to understand. I think you’re onto something that if it was a mermaid and a man it would’ve been received differently.

[@Bizarro69]

society confuses me. Thanos is ok but Fish guy is a "bonkers premise" it's this kind of subtle split brain logic which oddly enough explains how so many people can be weirdly accepting of one thing but be completed bigoted about human beings just trying to exist. Art truly Reveals!

[@kingexplosionmurderfuckoff9376]

It's because Thanos is just entertainment, where this movie covers some uncomfortable truths.

[@frankieffbaby]

This is one of my favorite movies. For anyone to say it’s just about a lady that had sex with a fish I assume they never seen it and only are repeating what they’ve heard

[@materla4102]

I enjoy stories about monsters not because I'm seeing myself in them, but because I want to give my empathy to them. Call it a messiah complex but I just wants to be the one to help them. Is that any stranger? I don't usually hear people talking about it like this. I thought about it and noticed that I've been like this with people too and a few times it came and bit me in my butt. So maybe my fairy tale is that the monster will be kind to me back. We all can dream, I guess :D

[@mxknifefight]

i feel gently seen by this movie. loved and forgiven for existing. the 'he does not know what i lack' scene makes me cry every time. the use of the monstrous body in del toro's work is something i'm in awe of. that feeling of feeling physically monstrous, out of place or time, it's not something i've found elsewhere yet. not in a way that feels so absolving. i connect to films about 'outsiders' in part due to my autism and being queer-- but there's something about not having a body the camera would want to capture is a huge part of it for me. i feel like del toro must feel this too, i don't usually like assuming things about writers and directors but what i feel is a body neutrality in his monster love interests.

[@MrMikkyn]

His interviews about Frankenstein and the syncretism between monsters and religions is really deep. He definitely gives me Carl Jung vibes.

[@Ambina2]

I watch this when I'm depressed and lonely, and it always, *always* reminds me that I am not weird. It stops me being hard on myself, and it gives me hope. It's my comfort film. I don't care that some minds are weirded out, even weirded out by me liking it at all --it is purely whole-hearted and is on the side of . . . people.

[@theodaxpeters4892]

Guillermo Del Toro is easily my favorite director and im really glad you covered this movie specifically

[@lindahubbard2518]

What a beautiful movie! The time period of 1962 in which demand for civil rights was also intertwine with the class of people that were not recognized and /or discriminated against based on physical, sexual orientation, or immigration status. The culture tone set for this time period brings birth to a love story based on the cruel and inhumane treatment of Amphibian man. Only someone who has been a casualty of discrimination during this period could recognize the pain endure and out of compassion develop a love for their differences. I love the scene in which Eliza is explaining to Giles that she is seen in her true form by the Amphibian. Recently I heard a famous DJ- Podcaster call this movie "Strange" This movie is far from strange and really taps into the civilization and uniqueness of people.

[@limonx6778]

Growing up weird and watching this movie as a teen meant a lot. I don't have an opinion on Guillermo, but I thank him for this

[@SoundBoss5150]

This whole breakdown was great, but that ending? *chef kiss*

[@peppa_jack]

Love this movie. I also really liked how it had a type of Bioshock atmosphere.

[@kunichiwax3]

The poem at the end of this always makes me cry

[@rishisanyal8972]

Finally, someone who understands this film

[@sheko1615]

In defense of Del Toro's original read of Creature from the Black Lagoon, filmic romances of the time sometimes didn't look that different from the monster's obsession with the leading woman.

[@trevburnard]

Thank you for making this, so tired of hearing people diminish this film and what it's about by saying "she had sex with a fish". This is really great!

[@corinne6523]

i didn’t realize i liked this movie after my first viewing. the ending poem really stuck with me and i kept thinking about it until i watched the movie again and realized how beautiful it really is. from the story, to the acting, and especially the score.

[@almosttogether1776]

A under rated gem he always has movies that evoke genuine emotions your brilliant break down of this movie was beautiful and impactful and his work is art and his movies are something I return to for a second third or forth watch and I am not one to watch movies repeatedly I have broken this rule for crimson peak and most of his movies and byzantium not many directors can pull u into a world and believe it may have existed or may one day exist his eye and colour pallet his understanding of interpretations his rejection of projects unless he feels he can do it justice and add to his legacy (I completely agree with the pinned comment)👏

[@DesertHomesteader]

Pan's Labyrinth and The Shape of Water are two of my favorite films. I love seeing two outsiders finding their other half (something that's incredibly rare). And of course, humans are, indeed, the biggest monsters. Everything Del Toro does is innovative and artistic, if not always appealing to every audience.

[@hambone4984]

I loved this movie and cried during so many scenes, but it was definitely a weird romance. But ya, that ending had me crying even harder because I wanted to believe that it had a good ending but I knew that most likely that wasn't the realistic ending 😭

[@TiffyVella1]

I am 99.999999% sure they got the good ending. Not quite as confident that Pan's Labyrinth ended well though.

[@lorelei1761]

This movie was like Amelie meets the creature from the black lagoon! I love it❤

[@marimarimar]

I’ve been dealing with pretty bad anxiety the last couple of days, struggling with the way that I am and my needs. Really needed to hear some of these things 🥰 thanks for that! I loved this movie so much, loved this video as well ! Gonna go rewatch it

[@QualityCulture]

Glad to hear it helped in some way, hope you feel better soon ❤️

[@JesssL]

🍀