The Water Man Parent Guide

“In the town of Pine Mills, people see a tall shadowy figure emerging from a lake with fire on his chest and hope in his eyes…” This mythical being is the Water Man, and he doesn’t just carry a vague hope, he is rumored to possess the ability to raise the dead.

Desperate to save his critically ill mother (Rosario Dawson), young Gunner Boone (Lonnie Chavis) is enthralled by the legend. Joining forces with Jo (Amiah Miller), a wily, self-sufficient teenage girl, he heads off into the woods with a map, his father’s (David Oyelowo) samurai sword, and a few cans of food in a quest for the Water Man and his glowing life-giving rock. But the woods are full of unexpected dangers and a small forest fire is about to blaze into a wall of flame…

If you think some of this sounds familiar, you’d be correct. A kid trying to save a sick parent, a “resurrection stone”, a dangerous quest through the woods – none of these elements are distinctive. But the acting is excellent, and carries us through the less original parts of the tale. The cinematography is also superb, with an eye for the varied textures of the Pacific Northwest’s majestic landscapes. As an added bonus, part of the plot’s backstory is delivered in line drawn animation, as is some of Gunner’s artwork. This is a film worth looking at.

The Water Man is one of those rarest of movies, a PG story that won’t bore parents into a state of insensibility. The plot is original enough (despite its borrowed components) that it will keep kids and adults focused on the screen. The movie is devoid of sexual content and has only three profanities. However, it has some genuinely terrifying moments that could easily frighten children. There are a few jump scares in the dark woods, a very frightening encounter with a creepy figure, an avalanche of insects (which scared the heck out of me), and many moments of peril for the young protagonists. The film is rated PG, but it’s on the high end of that scale so parents will want to carefully consider their children’s susceptibility to nightmares before watching the movie together.

Thankfully, The Water Man also comes with strong positive messages about courage, love, individuality, and persistence. The film is shot through with a rich appreciation for the power of families and the need for forgiveness and second chances. Gunner is part of a warm, loving family with a nurturing mother and devoted father, albeit one who struggles to build the close bonds he craves with his son. This tender story reminds all of us of the gifts families give us - the shelter from the storm they provide; the safe place they give us for growth; and their capacity for renewal amid the challenges of life.