‘The Chronology of Water’ Trailer: Kristen Stewart Makes Directorial Debut with Character Study of a Troubled Swimmer
Wilson Chapman
“The Chronology of Water,” a new biographical drama from Kristen Stewart, has released its first trailer.
Adapted from the 2011 memoir of the same name by writer Lidia Yuknavitch, “The Chronology of Water” stars Imogen Poots as Lidia, recounting her story of attempting to escape an abusive home through competitive swimming. When her hopes are derailed due to alcohol and drug addiction, she navigates her troubled life and goes on a journey of sexual discovery all while finding healing through the power of writing. Shot on 16mm film, the movie serves as Stewart’s feature directorial debut; previously, she dabbled in the craft through directing two short films for anthology series as well as several music videos for groups such as Chvrches and Boygenius.
The film first premiered at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival in May, as part of the Un Certain Regard section. Reviews for the film were largely positive. In a review for IndieWire, critic David Ehrlich gave the film a “B+” and praised Stewart’s direction, saying “There isn’t a single millisecond of this movie that doesn’t bristle with the raw energy of an artist who’s found the permission she needed to put her whole being into every frame, messy and shattered as that might be.”
Aside from Poots, “The Chronology of Water” stars Thora Birch, Jim Belushi, Earl Cave, Tom Sturridge, Charlie Carrick, and Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth fame. The film is produced by Maggie McLean, Dylan Meyer, Michael Pruss, Rebecca Feuer, and Charles Gillibert, and will be released by independent distributor The Forge.
After the release of her directorial debut, Stewart will next star in the upcoming stoner comedy “The Wrong Girls.” She has also been announced to star in an ’80s vampire thriller “Flesh of the Gods” from “Mandy” director Panos Cosmatos, alongside Oscar Isaac. Her recent film credits include “Sacramento” and “Love Lies Bleeding” from 2024.
“The Chronology of Water” will receive an awards-qualifying December 5 release in New York and Los Angeles. The Forge will expand the film to theaters nationwide next year, on January 9. Watch the trailer for the movie below.
