Approved for 12+

Lady in the Water

From writer-director M. Night Shyamalan ("The Village," "Signs," "Unbreakable," "The Sixth Sense") comes "Lady in the Water," a story originally conceived by Shyamalan for his children.

Fate won't let you hide forever.

Cleveland Heep (Paul Giamatti) has been quietly trying to disappear among the burned-out lightbulbs and broken appliances of the Cove apartment complex. But on the night that irrevocably changes his life, Cleveland finds someone else hiding in the mundane routine of the modest building – a mysterious young woman named Story (Bryce Dallas Howard), who has been living in the passageways beneath the building’s swimming pool. Cleveland discovers that Story is actually a “narf” – a nymph-like character from an epic bedtime story who is being stalked by vicious creatures determined to prevent her from making the treacherous journey from our world back to hers.

Story’s unique powers of perception reveal the fates of Cleveland’s fellow tenants, whose destinies are tied directly to her own, and they must work together to decipher a series of codes that will unlock the pathway to her freedom. But the window of opportunity for Story to return home is closing rapidly, and the tenants are putting their own lives at great risk to help her. Cleveland will have to face the demons that have followed him to the Cove – and the other tenants must seize the special powers that Story has brought out in them – if they hope to succeed in their daring and dangerous quest to save her world...and ours.
7
Negative Rating
12345
SexLanguageViolenceDrugsNudityOther
0
Positive Rating
12345
FaithIntegrity

Dove Review

Wow! “Lady in the Water” is a well-written, wonderful fantasy-drama that captivates the imagination. M. Night Shyamalan has done such a wonderful job with this film. It is very entertaining, funny in spots, and the story line is very original. There is one character in the film that works out with weights but he only works out one side of his body. It is hilarious! Shyamalan creates many other interesting characters that live at the apartment complex that add many funny moments to the film.

This is the type of movie that Dove has been saying that family audiences want. A well written, directed, acted, edited drama that is free from graphic sex, violence, nudity, and foul language. Dove rated this at a 12+ because of the overall theme and some content that would frighten younger children. I found “Lady in the Water” to be very refreshing and entertaining. Go ahead and take the family for a dip into this fantasy.

Dove Rating Details

0
Faith

None

0
Integrity

Woman dragged through grass by wild animal. Man attacked by wild animal. Woman receives scratches on her legs from wild animal.

0
Sex

None

2
Language

OMG-1; MG-2; A-2

1
Violence

Woman dragged through grass by wild animal. Man attacked by wild animal. Woman receives scratches on her legs from wild animal.

1
Drugs

Smoking, and some drinking at a party.

2
Nudity

Lady naked in shower but nothing is shown.

1
Other

The theme of the entire film is based on water creatures that have powers or insights that have helped humans over the centuries. There are some good messages in the film, like everyone has a purpose in life.

More Information