Guillermo del Toro has proved for many years that he is a master of crafting a story and atmosphere that is darkly mystical, a gothic masterpiece that usually includes a darker, almost horror-centric feeling. His newest creation, The Shape of Water, steps back from the darkness a little and focuses more on romance, on a fairy tale that, while slightly odd, calls forth feelings of beauty and magic rather than tension and unease. While the story may not be quite up to par with del Toro’s usual standards, he has not stepped back from his ability to completely control what goes on in front of his camera and make it all look completely out of this world. When you think about it, choosing to use a mute protagonist may be the best way for del Toro to tell any of his stories – he’s proven that the story you see is more important than the story the dialogue tells you.
![](https://reeltalk234.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/the-shape-of-water.jpg?w=828)