The Chronology of Water

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The Chronology of Water

Jan 2026

2h 8m

Biography

Drama

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Popcornmeter

91%

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110 Reviews

66%

Popcornmeter

100+ 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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Bianca Farmakis

The Australian

Sep 9, 2026

4/5

Stewart takes a bold risk, and pulls it off – it’s not a watch for everyone, but nothing has made me cry like this in a long time.

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Sandra Hall

Sydney Morning Herald

Aug 19, 2026

3.5/5

Stewart prefers to retain the film’s impressionistic style rather than risk any hint of excessive explanation and there are occasional moments of bewilderment but they do little to diminish the power of what’s on screen.

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Iana Murray

Empire Magazine

Feb 11, 2026

4/5

An uncompromising debut that weaves Lidia Yuknavitch’s rich but troubled life into hypnotic poetry. Kristen Stewart reintroduces herself as an exciting filmmaker who’s out to make a splash.

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Simon Miraudo

Movie Squad (RTRFM 92.1)

Aug 28, 2026

3.5/5

It's tricky to cinematically realise the creative practice of writing, and this film hasn't cracked the code, but Kristen Stewart has still made a visually and sonically compelling movie, with Imogen Poots the astounding centre of her desilvering frame.

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Andiee Paviour

Nobody's Reading This But Me

Aug 20, 2026

4/5

A childhood web of damage spares no one in actress Kristen Stewart’s savagely lovely directorial debut.

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Lexi Amoriello

Movie Recs by Lex

Jul 10, 2026

Kristen Stewart brings Lidia Yuknavitch’s memoir to the screen with sensitivity and sharp direction, plunging us deep into her world. She drags us through Lidia’s memories, from every bruise & scar or burst of rage to her fragile & fleeting triumphs

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geoffrey w

Jan 25, 2026

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, 2026

A powerful directorial debut from Kristen Stewart.

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Noah

Jan 19, 2026

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, 2026

Interesting film. Very well acted!

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jesse v

Jan 15, 2026

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, 2026

Excellent directorial debut for KStew.

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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
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 27, 2026
Box Office (Gross USA): $18.6K
Runtime: 2h 8m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

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