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Water

Water

1985115 minPG-13Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films
Director
Dick Clement
Starring
Michael Caine, Valerie Perrine, Brenda Vaccaro, Leonard Rossiter

The British governor of a tiny island nation in the Caribbean Commonwealth finds his idyllic existence thrown into chaos when an American drilling company finds a huge source of natural mineral water there.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Water?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Water streaming on The Criterion Channel.

Subscription

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Water?

Water earns 4 badges, led by Crowd Pleaser and Preferred by Users.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood

Reception

Is Water worth watching?

Water's Midcredits score is the 50th percentile of all films, from 4K ratings across 4 sources. 51% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

50th percentile

Better received than 50% of films

58th percentile among Adventure52nd percentile among 1980s
Acclaim (how much people like it)45th
Approval (how many liked it)54th

60 /100

45th percentile of all films

51st percentile among Adventure47th percentile among 1980s

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.5 — solid but not unanimous.

Approval

How many liked it

51% liked it

54th percentile of all films

61st percentile among Adventure56th percentile among 1980s
51% rated it 7–1049% rated it 1–6

Critics 0% · Audience 70%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of audiences approved than critics.

Reach

How many have seen it

65th percentile

4K ratings across platforms

55th percentile among Adventure61st percentile among 1980s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 6% in 30 days

Box office

Opening weekend$510K
Domestic gross$1.3M
Worldwide gross$1.3M

35th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

A broad, silly satire about colonialism and resource greed with a talented cast that doesn't always land its jokes.

Fans praised

  • Michael Caine's comic performance as Governor Thwaites
  • clever political satire skewering colonialism and big powers
  • great supporting cast including Leonard Rossiter and Billy Connolly

Detractors panned

  • uneven pacing with scenes that add nothing to the film
  • broad, dated humor that feels like a 1960s throwback

What stands out

ActingDivisive70

Caine shines in comedy; Rossiter and Connolly deliver strong supporting turns; some B-list cast members overact

Sound and music70

enjoyable reggae soundtrack with Eddy Grant; rock musicians appear

DialogueDivisive65

witty one-liners and amusing political jabs

HumorDivisive60

often funny but occasionally heavy-handed and uneven

CharactersDivisive55

broad stereotypes that work as comedy but lack depth

Originality50

derivative of 1960s comedies and broader political satires

Plot and story45

absurd premise about mineral water discovery; meandering and lacks momentum

PacingDivisive35

sluggish; filler scenes and a momentum-breaking rock concert sequence

Preferred by

Critics vs users

Preferred by Users

Users scored it 27 points higher than critics.

US vs non-US

Preferred by Non-US Viewers

Non-US viewers scored it 20 points higher than US viewers.

Watch experience

What is Water like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Easy laugh: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want something light that makes you laugh and does not take itself seriously.

It takes its time and leaves you entertained. Skip it when you want things to move fast.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Patience.

What it feels like

Easy laugh.

Moods
AbsurdManic
Heaviest: throughout
Satirical humor
Register
Satirical · 5% of filmsAbsurdist · 7% of films: Deliberately illogical; embraces nonsense.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film holds its farcical premise at a knowing, satirical distance, mocking its targets with broad humor rather than earnestness.
The rideThe film maintains a consistently absurd and chaotic comedic tone from start to finish.
StructureThe film follows a conventional linear structure, introducing the tranquil status quo, the disruptive discovery, and the ensuing farcical chaos.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Entertained.

FunFeel-good
Why it leaves you this wayThe film is a lightweight farce that leaves the viewer entertained and in good spirits without any lingering weight.
How it ends · evidence
Happy ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).ComedyFarce
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11% (this title): Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% (this title) · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Comedy: Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony. · Farce: Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).

11% of films fit this archetype

with Overcoming the monster underneath

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeThe story is a farcical comedy driven by the chaotic struggle for control of a Caribbean island after mineral water is discovered, with multiple factions competing.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfGreedPower
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7% (this title): Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% (this title) · Class 3% · Oppression 4% (this title) · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Power

Greed · 3% of filmsOppression · 4% of films
Satirizes its theme: Attacks its theme through ridicule.Community stakes: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe film satirizes corporate greed and colonial exploitation as external forces disrupt an idyllic island community.
StanceThe film satirizes greed and colonialism through the experience of the British governor and the island's chaotic response.

The world

ContemporaryRuralWildernessStylized realism
PopRockSupportive music · hybrid · Mike Moran
SettingThe fictional Caribbean island of Cascara
MusicFeatures a title track by Eddy Grant

Content guide

Is Water okay for kids?

PG-13

Water is rated PG-13. As of October 2, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at mild (22/100), sexual content at moderate (50/100), language at moderate (44/100), drug and alcohol content at moderate (44/100) and frightening material at minimal (11/100). None has enough votes to rank yet.

Ratings in 2 other countries
  • Germany12
  • Greece13
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
not ranked
Violence & Gore
Mild
too few votes to rank (3 votes)
Sex & Nudity
Moderate
too few votes to rank (8 votes)
Profanity
Moderate
too few votes to rank (3 votes)
Alcohol & Drugs
Moderate
too few votes to rank (3 votes)
Frightening / Intense
None / Minimal
too few votes to rank (3 votes)

Too few votes to rank this title overall (20 votes across 5 categories; ranking needs 10 in at least three).

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Water have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Water?

Cast

Michael Caine
as Baxter
Valerie Perrine
as Pamela
Brenda Vaccaro
as Dolores
Leonard Rossiter
as Sir Malcolm
Billy Connolly
as Delgado
Dennis Dugan
as Rob
Fulton Mackay
as Eric
Oscar James
as Miguel
Chris Tummings
as Garfield
Eric Clapton
as The Singing Rebels' Band

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Water?

Movies like Water include Yellowbeard (1983), Never Say Never Again (1983) and Carry on Up the Khyber (1968). Of the 9 closest matches, most are satires, and several are films set in the Caribbean.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

6 of these 9 share its story type: farce. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Water?

560 other films share the rarest tag below, follows: politician. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.