[First Look] Kristen Stewart Steps Behind the Camera for Her First Film ‘The Chronology of Water’
Kristen Stewart has officially stepped into the director’s chair with her first feature film, The Chronology of Water. The biographical romantic drama is adapted from Lidia Yuknavitch’s 2011 memoir of the same name, and Stewart not only directed the film but also co-produced and wrote the screenplay.
The movie stars Imogen Poots as Yuknavitch, with a strong supporting cast including Thora Birch, Susannah Flood, Tom Sturridge, Kim Gordon, Michael Epp, Earl Cave, Esmé Creed-Miles, and Jim Belushi. Legendary filmmaker Ridley Scott serves as an executive producer.
First look at Kristen Stewart’s directorial debut ‘THE CHRONOLOGY OF WATER.’
— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) November 17, 2025
Trailer debuts tomorrow.
(via @letterboxd) pic.twitter.com/YJ1QB5yT46
The Chronology of Water made its world premiere at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard section on May 16. The film was met with a standing ovation that lasted six and a half minutes.
Critics responded positively, with Rotten Tomatoes showing 94% of 31 reviews in favor, while Metacritic gave it a score of 76 out of 100, indicating generally favorable reviews. M. Sellers Johnson from Offscreen praised Stewart’s debut, saying, “Stewart’s blistering debut will surely prompt divisive discourse on its aggressive art film aesthetics, challenging violent and sexual material, and close lens on the topic of trauma. But for all its experiments and deliberate provocations, the film finds itself grounded in deep, personal meaning.”
The story follows a young woman who discovers her voice through writing and finds healing in swimming. Over time, she grows into a teacher, mother, and notable modern writer.
After its Cannes premiere, The Forge acquired the U.S. distribution rights. The film is set for a limited release on December 5, before opening more widely on January 9, 2026. Letterboxd also released a short clip giving fans a first look at Stewart’s directorial style.
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