M. Night Shyamalan's career has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows, from the dizzying success of The Sixth Sense to the bewildering reception of The Happening. But among all his films, one stands out as his personal favorite — and it's also one of his most reviled. Lady in the Water, released in 2006, was a critical and commercial disappointment, yet Shyamalan has repeatedly defended it as the movie closest to his heart. Two decades later, it's time to give this strange, sincere fairy tale another chance.
A Bedtime Story Gone Wrong
After the mixed response to The Village, Shyamalan took a bold swing with Lady in the Water, a film inspired by a bedtime story he told his daughters. The plot follows Cleveland Heep (Paul Giamatti), a lonely apartment superintendent who discovers a mysterious young woman named Story (Bryce Dallas Howard) in the building's pool. She's a water nymph from a fantastical world, and Heep must help her return home. The film's overt fairy-tale structure and lack of a traditional twist left critics cold, but Shyamalan has always maintained a soft spot for it. In a 2021 interview with GQ, he listed Lady in the Water alongside Unbreakable and The Visit as his favorites, praising its "quirky nature."
Why It Deserves a Second Look
Yes, Lady in the Water has flaws — Shyamalan's self-cameo as a writer destined to change the world feels indulgent, and a subplot featuring a snooty film critic (Bob Balaban) is on-the-nose. But beneath the awkwardness lies a film brimming with sincerity. Shot by Wong Kar-wai's regular cinematographer Christopher Doyle, the movie is visually stunning, creating a dreamlike atmosphere that mirrors the wonder and unease of a classic fairy tale. Giamatti and Howard deliver performances that were unfairly dismissed; their unlikely bond is the emotional core of the story, and Giamatti's transformation from a cynical curmudgeon to a believer is genuinely moving.
Shyamalan's signature sincerity — often overlooked in the rush to mock his twists — is on full display here. His love for his children and his belief in the power of storytelling infuse every frame. The film's themes of family and companionship resonate deeply, especially in the relationships among the apartment complex's residents. It's a humanist streak that would later bloom in his recent work, like Old and Trap, but here it's raw and unguarded.
For those willing to look past its quirks, Lady in the Water offers a unique blend of mystery, fantasy, and heartfelt emotion. It's a film that wears its heart on its sleeve, unafraid to be earnest in an era of ironic detachment. As Shyamalan continues to reinvent himself with low-budget thrillers, this early transition point in his career deserves recognition — not as a punchline, but as a bold, personal statement. If you're looking for a second look at a misunderstood story, this is it.
In the end, Lady in the Water is a testament to Shyamalan's enduring belief in the power of wonder. It may not be his most polished film, but it's arguably his most personal. And sometimes, that's exactly what makes a movie worth revisiting.
