Lady in the Water (2006)
12-month trend
12-month trend
Monthly article views
2025-09 to 2026-08
A Philadelphia apartment superintendent discovers a water nymph in a swimming pool and must protect her from a mystical creature.
The story
Cleveland Heep, the superintendent of an apartment complex in Philadelphia, discovers a naiad-like being named Story in the building's swimming pool. Heep rescues her from an attack by a Scrunt, a wolf-like mystical creature. Story explains she has come from the 'Blue World' to find a 'Writer' who will magically awaken upon meeting her to write a book that will save humanity. Heep begins questioning the residents of the complex to identify the Writer, while learning about the legends of the Narf and the dangers Story faces from the Scrunt.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Cleveland Heep, a superintendent in Philadelphia, rescues Story, a water nymph (Narf), from a wolf-like Scrunt in a building's pool. Story reveals she must find a 'Writer' to write a book that will save humanity. Heep identifies the Writer as tenant Vick Ran and brings him to Story, which sharpens Vick's inner voice. They learn Vick will be killed for his controversial ideas. Heep learns of the Tartutic, a peacekeeping force from the Blue World, who are trying to protect Story, though the Scrunt continues to attack. Heep seeks help from a film critic, Farber, to find a Guardian, Symbolist, Guild, and Healer. Farber's bad advice leads to a failed plan where Farber is killed and Story is wounded. A child named Joey deduces the true identities: he is the Symbolist, the seven sisters are the Guild, and Heep is the Healer. Heep heals Story by confessing his repressed grief over his murdered family. Finally, a muscular tenant named Reggie acts as the Guardian, intimidating the Scrunt. A giant eagle arrives to transport Story back to the Blue World, and she departs, leaving Heep safe.
- First release year
- 2006
- Runtime (minutes)
- 110
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- M. Night Shyamalan
- Writers
- M. Night Shyamalan · writer; M. Night Shyamalan · director
- Cast and characters
- Paul Giamatti; Bryce Dallas Howard; Bob Balaban; Jeffrey Wright; Sarita Choudhury; Freddy Rodriguez; Bill Irwin; Jared Harris
- Genres
- urban fantasy; drama; fantasy; thriller; mystery; psychological thriller
- Themes
- sacrifice; grief; destiny; mythology
- Tone and mood
- fractured fairy tale; pretentious; silly
- Premise and plot tags
- urban fantasy; mystical creature; nymph; prophecy
- Source material / true-story basis
- A bedtime story told by M. Night Shyamalan to his children
- Reception
- The film received predominantly negative reviews, with criticism revolving around the self-indulgence of the director, lack of consistency, and characterization. It was a financial failure, grossing less than its production budget.
- Awards and nominations
- Golden Raspberry Award · Worst Director · Won; Golden Raspberry Award · Worst Supporting Actor · Won; Golden Raspberry Award · Worst Picture · Nominated; Golden Raspberry Award · Worst Screenplay · Nominated
- Production trivia
- It is the only M. Night Shyamalan film ever released on HD DVD.; The production facility was established at a Jacobson Logistics warehouse site in Levittown, Pennsylvania.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
Your lists
Loading your lists…