The Chronology of Water is the first feature film directed by Kristen Stewart. The film is an adaptation of Lidia Yuknavitch’s acclaimed 2011 memoir. The film debuted in the Un Certain Regard section of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival on May 16, 2025, and garnered positive reviews, as well as a six-and-a-half-minute standing ovation.The script co-written by Stewart and Andy Mingo, The Chronology of Water, is Scott Free Productions' announcement of not only the year’s notable independent releases but also Ridley Scott’s executive production credit.Imogen Poots plays the role of Yuknavitch in the film, a biographical psychological drama that explores the writer’s childhood, her creative breakthrough, and her fights against trauma, addiction, and identity problems.The Chronology of Water was filmed in Latvia and Malta in the middle of 2024 and is currently touring the festival circuit in the fall, thus racking up nominations and awards in advance of its theatrical release in the U.S.When and where is The Chronology of Water releasing? View this post on Instagram Instagram PostFollowing the world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, the movie was also presented at the Deauville, Savannah, Valladolid, and Miskolc festivals. The film garnered several nominations in the categories of debut filmmaker and feature at various festivals. In August 2025, The Forge acquired the rights for film distribution in the U.S.The Chronology of Water will premiere in select theaters on December 5, 2025, and will then be available in most cinemas from January 9, 2026. The planned release of the movie aligns with the typical distribution of festival-recognized indie dramas, which aim to gain visibility during the awards season.The production background of the movie has attracted the industry’s attention, in addition to the fact that it is Kristen Stewart's first feature film as a director. The filming spanned six weeks, from June to July 2024, in various locations, with a total of twelve actors being filmed at different stages of the production.Actors Pruss, Ben, Mingo, and Scott were joined by several other executive producers on the movie.Read More: When will The Housemaid (2025) premiere? Release date, cast details, first look, and moreWhat is The Chronology of Water and who stars in it?The Chronology of Water (Image via The Forge)The Chronology of Water is centered around the early life of Lidia Yuknavitch, a talented writer who, at the same time, sought comfort in competitive swimming. As seen in the memoir, the story unfolds her transformation into a teacher, artist, and mother while overcoming trauma, loss, and reclaiming her identity.The adaptation preserves the psychological nature of the memoir and the author's insight, focusing on the internal process that led Yuknavitch to become the widely recognized writer she eventually became.Imogen Poots is the lead actress in the movie, portraying Yuknavitch, who represents the author during the life stages that shaped her personality and creative development. In the movie, Thora Birch acts as Claudia, and Susannah Flood portrays Dorothy.Tom Sturridge is seen as Kevin, and artist Kim Gordon is among the cast together with Michael Epp, Earl Cave, and Esmé Creed-Miles. Additionally, Jim Belushi portrays the countercultural writer Ken Kesey, who links Yuknavitch’s narrative to the broader literary landscape of the Pacific Northwest.The film’s supporting cast is rounded out by Julienne Restall, Anna Wittowsky, and other ensemble members who help portray Yuknavitch's personal and artistic development. The actors, by and large, bring The Chronology of Water down to a character-focused style that aligns with the memoir's emphasis on emotional realism and psychological depth.Read More: Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy stumble into fantasy in The Magic Faraway Tree trailerThe movie is set to release on December 5, 2025.