Kristen Stewart Unveils The Chronology of Water Trailer – Her Bold Feature Directorial Debut
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Kristen Stewart has released the first trailer for her highly anticipated feature directorial debut, The Chronology of Water, and it offers a haunting, lyrical preview of what’s to come. Variety+2Variety Australia+2
A Deeply Personal Journey
Adapted from Lidia Yuknavitch’s evocative memoir, the film chronicles a life marked by abuse, addiction, and profound self-discovery. In the trailer, we see Imogen Poots portray the young Yuknavitch — a swimmer who escapes a violent family through competitive swimming and ultimately finds her voice in writing. IndieWire+1
Scenes shift fluidly between water, memory, and pain. There’s a poetic voiceover, quiet moments of intimacy, and stark confrontations with trauma — all captured with a sensitivity that signals Stewart’s bold vision as a first-time director. Variety+1
Behind the Film
- Stewart co-wrote the screenplay with Andy Mingo. Wikipedia+1
- The film’s cast includes Imogen Poots, Thora Birch, Jim Belushi, Kim Gordon, and more. Wikipedia+1
- Production took place over six weeks in Latvia and Malta. Wikipedia
Release & Distribution
The Forge has acquired North American rights and will release The Chronology of Water in a December awards-qualifying run, followed by a wider rollout in January. Variety+1 In the UK and Ireland, the film is scheduled to hit cinemas on 6 February 2026 via the BFI. BFI
Critical Reception & Significance
The film premiered in Cannes’ Un Certain Regard section to strong reactions, including a prolonged ovation. India Today Early reviews praise Stewart’s uncompromising direction and Poots’ powerful performance, highlighting how the movie navigates challenging themes with emotional honesty. PinkNews
Stewart has also been vocal about the struggles she faced in getting this movie made — she reportedly refused to act in other projects until she could realize this deeply personal film. PinkNews+1
