The Shape Of Water LFF Review: 8 Ups & 2 Downs

1. It's Pretty Predictable

Though the movie's marketing has smartly avoided showing off much from its third act, that doesn't mean you should expect a film jam-packed with surprises.

Yes, there are arresting, even shocking moments on occasion, but if you're remotely familiar with del Toro's prior work, you're likely going to see where this is all going long before it happens.

Unfortunately the trailers have given away one of the movie's key final images, draining the concluding 10 minutes of most of its potential suspense, superbly-executed though the finale is.

It's a minor quibble all things considered, but the overall narrative throughline feels telegraphed pretty much before you even sit down to watch the film yourself.

These issues aside, though, del Toro's latest is a terrific effort, and here's why...