The Chronology of Water (2025): Kristen Stewart’s Bold Directorial Debut Unveils a Powerful, Heart-Breaking Journey — US Release December 5

Kristen Stewart steps behind the camera for the first time in her career — and the result is one of the most intimate and emotionally fearless films of the year. The Chronology of Water, based on Lidia Yuknavitch’s acclaimed 2011 memoir, premiered at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival to glowing reviews, immediately positioning it as a major awards-season contender.

Set for its U.S. theatrical release on December 5, 2025, this biographical romantic drama blends art-house aesthetics, raw emotional truth, and a deeply personal narrative about trauma, resilience, and rebirth.

With a powerhouse lead performance from Imogen Poots as Lidia Yuknavitch — and a stellar supporting cast including Thora Birch, Susannah Flood, Tom Sturridge, Esmé Creed-Miles, Earl Cave, Kim Gordon, and Jim Belushi — Kristen Stewart’s directorial debut announces her as a fearless new voice behind the camera.

⭐ What Is The Chronology of Water About? (Premise Explained)

At its core, The Chronology of Water is the story of a woman who survives the wreckage of her past — and learns to rewrite her life with her own voice.

The film follows:

• A young girl escaping an abusive childhood

• A woman discovering salvation in competitive swimming

• A writer finding her identity in the written word

• A survivor becoming a teacher, mother, and modern literary icon

This is not a typical biopic. Stewart’s adaptation embraces the memoir’s fragmented, poetic style — shifting through memories, trauma, sensuality, and self-discovery with radical honesty.

🎥 Kristen Stewart’s Directorial Debut: A NewVision in Indie Filmmaking

Known worldwide for her acting, Kristen Stewart now proves she is just as bold behind the camera. Writing, co-producing, and directing the film herself, she brings a deeply personal, vulnerable, and experimental touch.

Her direction is:

• Raw and intimate — especially in the childhood and swimming sequences

• Visually poetic, with cinematography by Corey C. Waters

• Emotionally precise, thanks to Olivia Neergaard-Holm’s editing

• Atmospheric, supported by Paris Hurley’s haunting score

Critics at Cannes praised Stewart for her “risk-taking,” “sensual filmmaking,” and “emotional clarity,” calling the film one of the strongest directorial debuts in recent festival history.

🎭 Cast of The Chronology of Water: Who’s Who in This Emotional Drama

Imogen Poots as Lidia Yuknavitch

A career-defining performance. Poots captures Yuknavitch’s pain, strength, sexuality, creativity, and rebirth with astonishing vulnerability.

Thora Birch as Claudia

Birch delivers a powerful performance opposite Poots in one of the film’s most emotionally charged arcs.

Supporting Cast

• Susannah Flood as Dorothy

• Tom Sturridge as Kevin

• Kim Gordon

• Michael Epp

• Earl Cave

• Esmé Creed-Miles

• Jim Belushi as Ken Kesey

• Julienne Restall

• Anna Wittowsky

Jim Belushi’s portrayal of Ken Kesey adds surprising emotional weight and depth to Yuknavitch’s journey.

🌍 Cannes 2025: Critical Reception and Festival Impact

Premiering in the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes on May 16, 2025, the film received overwhelmingly positive reviews.

Critics praised:

• Stewart’s fearless direction

• Poots’ tour-de-force performance

• The film’s innovative structure

• Its emotional honesty and feminist perspective

• The visual and poetic adaptation of Yuknavitch’s writing

Many called it one of the standout films of the festival — and a potential indie awards contender.

📅 The Chronology of Water Release Date

• World Premiere: May 16, 2025 (Cannes Film Festival)

• U.S. Release: December 5, 2025

• Distributor (U.S.): The Forge

• Distributor (France): Les Films du Losange

• Runtime: 128 minutes

The film’s late-year release sets it squarely in awards-season territory.

🎬 Behind the Camera: Production Details

Directed & Written by

• Kristen Stewart

Producers

• Michael Pruss

• Rebecca Feuer

• Charles Gillibert

• Yulia Zayceva

• Max Pavlov

• Svetlana Punte

• Maggie McLean

• Kristen Stewart

• Dylan Meyer

Production Companies

• Scott Free Productions

• CG Cinéma

• Nevermind Pictures

• Forma Pro Films

• Curious Gremlin

• Fremantle

• Whiz Movies

• Lorem Ipsum Entertainment

• Scala Films

This international collaboration spans the U.S., France, Latvia, and the U.K., giving the film a hybrid artistic identity.

🔍 Why The Chronology of Water Matters — And Why It’s Generating Buzz

• It marks Kristen Stewart’s official arrival as a filmmaker

• It adapts one of the most beloved modern memoirs

• It blends literary storytelling with cinematic poetry

• It explores survival, female desire, art, identity, motherhood, and trauma

• It stars Imogen Poots in one of her best roles to date

• It’s already gaining early awards conversation

For fans of Lady Bird, The Lost Daughter, Past Lives, and Never Rarely Sometimes Always, this film delivers the same emotional intensity and intimate filmmaking.

⭐ Conclusion: A Bold, Beautiful, and Unforgettable Film

The Chronology of Water is not just a movie — it’s an emotional reckoning. Kristen Stewart transforms Lidia Yuknavitch’s memoir into a cinematic experience filled with pain, beauty, and raw artistic truth.

With a stunning lead performance from Imogen Poots and overwhelming praise from Cannes, this film is positioned to become one of 2025’s essential releases.

Mark your calendars: The Chronology of Water hits U.S. theaters on December 5, 2025.