The Shape of Water

At the end of The Shape of Water, Elisa returns to her home after freeing the creature, and they share an emotional farewell. She releases him back into his natural habitat in the ocean, believing that this is where he belongs. In a deeply symbolic act, Elisa later joins the creature underwater, where he helps her heal her scars and enables her to breathe with gills. This transformation suggests that the creature has not only healed her physical wounds but also helped her reconnect with her true nature, possibly hinting at her own lost connection to her origins—whether human or aquatic.

Throughout the film, Elisa’s scars and muteness symbolize her sense of being an outsider in a society that devalues her. Her bond with the creature is rooted in their shared otherness and ability to communicate beyond words. The ending, with Elisa choosing to stay with the creature underwater, underscores her acceptance of her unique identity and her love for him. It’s a poetic affirmation that love transcends conventional boundaries, and that sometimes, true happiness lies in embracing one’s true self—no matter how different or misunderstood one might be. The film revises traditional fairy tale tropes, showing that love and connection aren’t about transforming the other into something “normal,” but about accepting and celebrating their authenticity.

The film also challenges ideas about good versus evil, especially through the character of Colonel Strickland, who resembles the mythic figure Samson—powerful but flawed. His fixation on dominance, religious hypocrisy, and brutality ultimately leads to his downfall. In the climax, the creature defeats him, and Strickland’s understanding of divine strength and justice is called into question, especially when he recognizes the creature as a “god.” His death signifies the rejection of his violent, hypocritical worldview, emphasizing that true strength and morality come from compassion and humility, not domination.

Overall, The Shape of Water ends with a powerful message: love, understanding, and acceptance can elevate us beyond societal constraints, and embracing what makes us different can lead to a kind of divine fulfillment. Elisa and the creature’s union is both a literal and symbolic act of breaking through societal fears of “the other,” demonstrating that genuine connection is a form of salvation. In this way, the film offers a hopeful, fantastical vision of harmony between disparate worlds—human and creature, normal and outsider.

Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:57