13 Reasons Why December Is Rich in Movie & TV Picks5 of 13
The Shape of Water
You don't have to be a hardcore fan of Guillermo del Toro's past films to appreciate this sumptuous fairy tale-cum-romance that brings together a collection of lonely, unfulfilled individuals in Cold War-era Baltimore. At the center of the action and intrigue is an enigmatic Amphibian Man (Doug Jones), who captures the attention of government scientists and the imagination of similarly voiceless Elisa Esposito (Sally Hawkins). It's their burgeoning on-screen relationship, marked by gestures and longing gazes, in addition to intricately wrought production design, empathetic side characters, and Hawkins' luminous performance that makes this well worth your holiday viewing. — Bret
The Shape of Water opens in U.S. theaters Friday, Dec. 8
You don't have to be a hardcore fan of Guillermo del Toro's past films to appreciate this sumptuous fairy tale-cum-romance that brings together a collection of lonely, unfulfilled individuals in Cold War-era Baltimore. At the center of the action and intrigue is an enigmatic Amphibian Man (Doug Jones), who captures the attention of government scientists and the imagination of similarly voiceless Elisa Esposito (Sally Hawkins). It's their burgeoning on-screen relationship, marked by gestures and longing gazes, in addition to intricately wrought production design, empathetic side characters, and Hawkins' luminous performance that makes this well worth your holiday viewing. — Bret
The Shape of Water opens in U.S. theaters Friday, Dec. 8