[First Look] Kristen Stewart Makes Directorial Debut with ‘The Chronology of Water’

by

Kristen Stewart recently directed her first feature film, The Chronology of Water, a love story inspired by Lidia Yuknavitch’s 2011 autobiography.

I’m so impressed with Stewart’s work on this film – they didn’t just direct it, but were heavily involved as a producer and in adapting the original book into the screenplay! And the cast is incredible – Imogen Poots is phenomenal as Yuknavitch, and she’s supported by a truly talented group of actors including Thora Birch, Tom Sturridge, Susannah Flood, Kim Gordon, Michael Epp, Earl Cave, Esmé Creed-Miles, and even Jim Belushi. It’s fantastic to see Ridley Scott lending his expertise as an executive producer too.

This movie follows a young woman’s journey of self-discovery, expressed through her passions for writing and swimming. Over time, she evolves into a teacher, a mother, and a celebrated author.

Letterboxd shared a brief preview of the movie, offering fans their first glimpse of Stewart’s directing approach and how the actors are performing.

Check out Kristen Stewart’s first film as a director, ‘THE CHRONOLOGY OF WATER.’ The trailer will be released tomorrow (via Letterboxd).

— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) November 17, 2025

The film The Chronology of Water debuted at the Cannes Film Festival on May 16th as part of the Un Certain Regard selection. It received a positive response, including a six-and-a-half-minute standing ovation. The Forge purchased the rights to distribute the film in the U.S. in August and plans to release it in select theaters on December 5th, with a broader release to follow on January 9, 2026.

Reviewers generally liked Stewart’s first film. Rotten Tomatoes shows 94% of critics gave it positive reviews, and Metacritic gave it a score of 76 out of 100, which also means good reviews.

M. Sellers Johnson from Offscreen gave the movie a positive review, noting that Stewart’s first film is likely to spark debate due to its bold artistic choices, intense depictions of violence and sexuality, and sensitive exploration of trauma. Despite its experimental and provocative nature, Johnson felt the film ultimately resonated with genuine, personal emotion.

Kristen Stewart’s directorial debut is a significant step in her career, and initial responses indicate she’s crafted a film that is both daring and deeply personal.

Read More

2025-11-18 12:45