The trailer for Kristen Stewart‘s directorial debut has arrived. The Chronology of Water adapts Lidia Yuknavitch’s memoir, with Stewart also cowriting the script for the intense drama that tells the story of a competitive swimmer’s life, delving into topics like addiction and trauma. The trailer doesn’t shy away from the harshness, as the first images and sounds can be jarring. Still, as it progresses, it unfolds with artistic imagery, almost feeling more ethereal than narrative. Along with the new trailer on YouTube, The Forge offered this synopsis:
Based on the beloved memoir by Lidia Yuknavitch and marking the directorial debut of Kristen Stewart, THE CHRONOLOGY OF WATER is a raw and unflinching portrait of survival, sexuality, and self-invention. The film traces Lidia’s life from her earliest memories in the Pacific Northwest, as a promising swimmer, through fractured relationships, near-motherhood, addiction, and encounters with artistic heroes. Told as a fluid memory wash, the story transforms trauma into art, embodying Yuknavitch’s defiant voice that made her work a modern cult classic. It is not only a chronicle of a woman becoming a writer, but a visceral journey through the wreckage and resilience of a life lived against the grain.
The choice to tell The Chronology of Water in a “fluid memory wash” allows it to play like an art piece, weaving writing and narrative motifs throughout Yuknavitch’s life. The adaptation is a passion project for Stewart, with Variety reporting that the director spent eight years guiding the film to completion, and it is now said to have full awards support as it eyes a limited release on December 5, before going wide on January 9. Stewart said:
“Films like ours should be birthed onto the screen, and I am grateful we found a team as committed to supporting independent filmmakers as they are.”
Imogen Poots leads the film as Lidia, surrounded by a stellar supporting cast that includes Thora Birch, Jim Belushi, Susannah Flood, and Tom Sturridge. Poots carries the weight of the biography on her shoulders, with Stewart embracing unique storytelling avenues that could allow The Chronology of Water to tell an impactful human story rife with nuance.
Kristen Stewart Embraces Work Behind the Camera
Most know Kristen Stewart from the Twilight franchise. However, she has been actively distancing herself from teen love stories in favor of more serious roles, including Love Lies Bleeding, Seberg, and Spencer. Elements of Love Lies Bleeding, which ultimately ventures into surreal scenes, may have even informed her artistic process, as The Chronology of Water embraces similar ideas. Still, while The Chronology of Water is her feature film directorial debut, Stewart has directed before.
Stewart has directed several short films over the past decade, like 2017’s Come Swim and 2023’s Boygenius: The Film, a music short about the group. She also directed the music video for Chvrches’ song Down Side of Me. The Chronology of Water even draws on styles often associated with music video formats, adding background to Stewart’s journey in the finished film.
While the film hasn’t screened for general audiences yet, it does currently hold a 94% Fresh critics rating based on 34 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes as of this writing. There also looks to be hefty praise for Poots in the lead role. While The Chronology of Water is an indie release, strong reviews and great performances may see it pop up in awards conversations in the coming weeks.