In 1962, a janitor named Elisa (Sally Hawkins) who communicates through sign language works in a secret government facility in Baltimore. This facility houses a strange amphibious creature (Doug Jones) with a humanoid form — almost exactly the form of the monster from the movie The Creature from the Black Lagoon — with whom Elisa forms a strong bond. When the Amphibian Man (as he is billed) is due to be dissected for study, Elisa and her only friend, Giles, conspire to sneak him out of the lab and hide him in the bathtub in her apartment. If you’ve ever seen a movie before, it will not surprise you to learn that the government responds with shocking violence to try and get him back.

Is Guillermo del Toro’s The Shape of Water a horror movie? Perhaps not. But it’s inspired by a horror movie; it’s in fact a spiritual sequel, nearly a fan-fiction take on a very famous horror movie. It’s undeniably a monster movie, written and directed by a contemporary master of thoughtful examinations of movie monsters taken out of their usual contexts. But whatever, maybe it’s time you confront the tyranny of your own expectations! In a world where Die Hard is a Christmas movie, The Shape of Water can be a Halloween movie. Open your heart.

This screening is held in the Historic Duncan Auditorium. This space utilizes open seating for this event, seat selection is not required.

VIEW the full 2026 “A Nightmare on Franklin Street” series lineup.