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Dark Waters
Dark Waters
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Dark Waters

Dark Waters

2019
Drama, History
2h 6m
A corporate defense attorney takes on an environmental lawsuit against a chemical company that exposes a lengthy history of pollution.

Dark Waters

2019
Drama, History
2h 6m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 59.09% from 806 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(812)
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Rated 12 Dec 2019
77
68th
Even if it is a bit conventionally made, Dark Waters tells a story worth telling in a competent way. I love the way it depicts the passage of time and the brutal toll it takes on the lead character and how the film centers on themes regarding unbridled capitalism going too far and how it harms the consumer. Hathaway feels a bit oddly cast, but the rest of the main players do quite well.
Rated 08 Jun 2020
68
65th
Holy shit a lot of chemical companies have killed a lot of people and had movies made about them. This feels pretty similar to all those. Ruffalo is his likable self, and there is a pretty good supporting cast but its just hard to get invested when you have seen this story a half dozen times.
Rated 23 Feb 2020
84
93rd
Tightly directed, superbly acted and deliberately paced, this is a study on pure evil that's as disturbing as any horror movie.
Rated 08 Apr 2021
63
58th
There are probably worse things happening out there that we don't know about but there are few people like Rob Bilott to fight for us for 20 years!
Rated 25 Dec 2020
60
50th
'Erin Ruffalovich' AKA 'Spotlight Light'. Pretty good, but also very familiar to anybody who have seen 'The Insider' and similar films.
Rated 14 Jun 2020
79
59th
Enjoyable courtroom drama goes nowhere particularly new (this feels like a Grisham adaptation at times), and Haynes' typically cold and oftimes sterile director's hand means this lacks the passion and fire this story needs. Ruffalo is excellent as the dogged hero (amusing to think he was also SPOTLIGHTing during the same time period!) and a distinguished support cast provide some good cameos (even if Hathaway's fretting wife is a bit of an eyeroller).
Rated 04 Mar 2020
4
55th
for all the prestige trappings, it's hardly surprising that safe repackaged as a political drama wasn't so much as nominated for a single major award. a deflated, shrugging sink into a bottomless brew of bilious poison. the system is absolute, insidious, and any resistance is exhausting and futile.
Rated 04 Mar 2020
60
34th
The story that Dark Waters tells is huge. It's terrifying, heartbreaking and infuriating. But as a movie, it's almost faceless. There's some expressive splashes of creativity here and there, but there's too many predictable lines of dialogue, and too many scenes lifted directly from other movies. The sporadic creativity is just icing on a mediocre Hollywood cake. I'm glad I got introduced to this exceptional story. But taken just as an experience, it's sadly nothing special.
Rated 21 Feb 2020
64
51st
Dark Waters is a film I wanted to like more than I actually did. Ruffalo's character's noble quest is interesting enough, but the film is saddled with numerous interactions with his family that run up the runtime and slow down the pace (though it could be argued purposefully, to represent the duration of the events depicted). The film is also very America-centric, yet the final line indicates that the issue is global, which is mildly dissatisfying. Ultimately not really more than its synopsis.
Rated 21 Feb 2020
72
39th
The laborious pace is a flaw within the design of the narrative being told. There are a couple montage sequences early on and in the middle that are great cinema. Hathaway is just awful. The typically solid Camp has some bad moments. Ruffalo is great as always, but I’m not sure I could identify any qualities of the character he’s playing. The last 30 mins actually feel like several years, as intended, but lead to a deliberate anti-climax. Text on screen cannot provide the catharsis needed.
Rated 04 Dec 2019
75
89th
Great film.
Rated 10 Oct 2024
59
53rd
For some reason (perhaps an upcoming presidential election, I don't know) this film made me think about JD Vance, similarities between his background and Bilott's, and how Vance takes every opportunity to blame the opioid crisis on everything except the pharmaceutical companies. The call is coming from inside the house.
Rated 24 Sep 2024
65
40th
Good enough, no more or less interesting than your typical "lawyer putting in endless hours to do the right thing" movie. Ruffalo played a great part in this film, and earned some respect from me.
Rated 04 Sep 2024
75
30th
A bit predictable, nothing too new. But informative.
Rated 23 May 2024
78
66th
The Bills (Camp and Pullman) give outrageously entertaining performances in a pretty perfect they-knew-and-they-did-it-anyway court drama. Expect nothing less from Haynes.
Rated 29 Jan 2024
80
79th
I thought Mark Ruffalo did well playing the dogged lawyer trying to get to the bottom of what happened and it reminded me a little of the film Erin Brokovich, only (obviously) with it being an established lawyer who takes on the environmental damage related case, though the lawyer is someone who previously had worked on behalf of the chemical industry, so there is that twist. The fact it took many years for the full truth to come out, I felt was quite frustrating and shocking. A good film.
Rated 14 Dec 2023
68
70th
The first half is somewhat familiar territory, echoing other legal dramas with corporate America as the villain; but Haynes plays that tune very well. The last act has a less cinematic form and pace, and I'm a bit skeptical about a surprise call the protagonist gets about something he should have been up to speed with, but it's still good. Mark Ruffalo turns out his best role I think. And Tim Robbins and Bill Pullman make for an awesome supporting cast.
Rated 09 Dec 2023
80
71st
better than Zodiac (2007)
Rated 15 Mar 2023
45
34th
A lawyer reluctantly takes on a case of injustice, becomes obsessed, suffers stress and marital tension, endures setbacks and has bittersweet success, finally making the bastards pay…but the fight goes on! If this sounds like an intriguingly original narrative idea, then this is the movie for you. It seems that Haynes has a thing for harmful contaminants (who can blame him?). As ever, one has to decide precisely how much to buy into prosecution-by-Hollywood-movie. No doubt bad things were done.
Rated 05 Mar 2023
70
60th
Excellent cast. Who would have known the chemical companies were busy poisoning us?!
Rated 17 Jan 2023
77
76th
Wasn't expecting a courtroom drama to be this captivating, but it really is one crazy, desperate story. People know that corporations work for their own interest only and not that of common good, but to truly understand how rotten, harmful and horrible that all can be, we're only scratching the surface. Mark Ruffalo fits the role perfectly, radiating just the right amount of desperation and determination while showing sympathy. Subdued works best for the story here.
Rated 29 Sep 2022
7
63rd
A perfectly paced procedural (the suffocating length of the case is captured really well-see the provoking time titles) with a horror aura, as striking cinematography sweeps across bleak and poisoned corporate and natural landscapes and with each new shocking discovery and small success we see more of the central monster. Hathaway's Sarah veers occasionally into generic wife character territory but is fortunately given a few notable dialogues that flesh her out a bit. Well scored and acted.
Rated 25 Sep 2022
60
47th
It's good, not extraordinary regarding the style. It fits nicely into my recent interest of the idea of evil.
Rated 12 Dec 2021
75
74th
A movie about a lawyer who does not let go, no matter what. Great lessons to learn and about an important matter that has been getting way too little attention. Surprisingly good
Rated 15 Sep 2021
64
83rd
Great whistleblower story! Wasn’t a fan of all of the visual choices, but cared about the characters and the outcome and that made it an exciting drama.
Rated 06 Aug 2021
65
32nd
7???????????????just so-so?
Rated 24 Jul 2021
84
58th
Who would have thought a legal thriller about Teflon would be interesting? Dark Waters feels claustrophobic and provokes much thought throughout its fascinating true story.
Rated 23 Jun 2021
75
78th
I really enjoyed how this movie played out. Based on true events, it's an important story. Mark Ruffalo was great at the initially reluctant lawyer who dug in and fought the good fight. Worthwhile.
Rated 25 Apr 2021
82
60th
Important story told well. Nice to see the ol' gruffalo thoroughly transformed (refreshingly, not in an incredible hulk way).
Rated 04 Mar 2021
80
74th
Like Zodiac, where the "action" extends over many years, this suffers from the same feeling of anticlimax, the same sense of exhaustion by the films end. Unlike that film though, this film highlights a mans struggle to find the answers, and hold people accountable for what was a truly terrible (but hardly unique) environmental crime. A crime which would be ongoing if not brought to book. Despite a great cast doing sterling work, this was a fascinating story that was better than the film itself
Rated 27 Feb 2021
5
88th
Heartbreaking. FCUK Dupont. FCUK the dismal---otherwise revered---law enforcement and related agencies. And Mr. Bilott, take a bow. Can you believe it? Dupont was considering legal action against the movie for portraying them in bad light, particularly as an enemy, to fit the narrative.
Rated 27 Feb 2021
100
94th
Ok, this piece of work here is not about the movie. Anybody fcuking rating this anything other than a 100 has lost it as a human being.
Rated 25 Jan 2021
54
21st
Does not seem to approach this in a fair way.
Rated 02 Jan 2021
89
96th
It is conventional and doesn't really do anything new, but the movie deftly nails everything it is trying to do. I find the pacing to be top notch as the stakes and struggles continue to mount. The acting is good, with some juicy crowd pleasing monologues. The best aspect is the way the little moments are captured - glances, reactions, and minor exchanges. If you are a human being, this is essential viewing.
Rated 29 Dec 2020
65
23rd
Decent legal drama about a worthwhile topic. Kind of ham-fisted for a Todd Haynes movie though.
Rated 15 Dec 2020
55
42nd
Heavy. Also too heavy.
Rated 15 Dec 2020
63
57th
Well-made, well-played if a bit conventional.
Rated 22 Nov 2020
60
61st
"We protect us." You protect yourself, your family, and possibly your local community. Anything above that degenerates into a satanic 'vampire squid relentlessly jamming its blood funnel into anything that smells like money' (Taibbi.) Why can't we "cure cancer?" Because prevention is the cure--and the convenience of waterproof hiking boots is too great to resist. The movie is good, but standard. You might be better off just reading the article that it's based on.
Rated 11 Aug 2020
85
93rd
Teflon devi Du Pont firmasının kirli oyunları. Batı Virginia halkını, içme suyuna teflon karıştırmasıyla bütün canlılar kanser olmaya ve organ büyümesine neden olur. 1 şirket avukatı, Dupont firmasını, bildiğimiz teflon tavaların kansere yol açtığını ispatlar. Bizi ancak biz koruruz. Sonlara doğru hukuk savaşı başlıyor. A Civil Action ve Erin Brockovich filmlerinin kardeşi. Filmin sonunda sabır denmiş. Sabreden avukat, muradına koyup da tur at.
Rated 05 Jul 2020
80
84th
Great movie
Rated 24 Apr 2020
82
87th
Halk sağlığı ile ilgili güzel bir film. ancak başta teflon tavaları ne yapacağız o var şimdi aklımda :)
Rated 06 Apr 2020
6
65th
Solid legal drama but seen this sort of formula before,too dry for me to probably bother coming back to it again
Rated 29 Mar 2020
83
72nd
The script is surely about as predictable as it gets, but the way this film is put together--the cool blues of Parkersburg, the golden environments in the law office, and two or three montages throughout the film (to name a few highlights)--is such a pleasure to behold. Ruffalo is good and Hathaway is fine in her limited role. I most appreciate the way Haynes highlights the 'othering' going on in Parkersburg and in the law office, effectively creating a group of outcasts that inspire change.
Rated 26 Mar 2020
84
77th
Seen 2x
Rated 12 Mar 2020
80
86th
While it may fall short of good directing when compared with such films as Spotlight, I was fully absorbed in the movie mostly thanks to its very interesting material. There were a few moments where it got too dramatic and sentimental, which felt a little bit off from the overall tone of the movie.
Rated 08 Mar 2020
75
80th
Kind of Zodiac (investigation as life-sucking frustration) for legal drama biopics, with the exception that Haynes isn't making a biopic. This is mainly about how a corporate lawyer turns against "himself" for a greater cause: the truth. The case ends up being a chronicle about late capitalism: system is rigged and protects companies and their money and not people, that's why the invisible enemies here are both C8 and corporate America. All we can do is fight. Every (paperwork) shot counts.
Rated 04 Mar 2020
85
68th
Mark Ruffalo is always watchable and they do the subject justice. Really cool movie about an absolutely evil company that never got held accountable for its actions.
Rated 04 Mar 2020
4
17th
If condescending environmental law films are your thing, look no further. Haynes made an extraordinarily drab film somewhat watchable, at the expense of being alarmist and propagandist. Overall, it's patronizing, predictable, sensationalist, and easily forgettable. Considering the amount of resources that went into the production of this film, it should have been more profound. Overall theme: "Chemicals," bad. Egregiously, in a film about toxicology, its very first rule is nowhere to be found.
Rated 01 Mar 2020
7
73rd
A very disturbing subject matter told in an engaging and non showy way. Everyone should see it.
Rated 16 Feb 2020
80
71st
I know it is also made by THEM. But in any case, it is about truth. Ruffalo, Hathaway, Robbins and espacially Bill Camp is amazing. Watch and make someone watch...
Rated 08 Feb 2020
80
62nd
A corporate lawyer defending the little man movie. Top notch acting by Bill Camp (with the fake eyebrows) and the two leads. These dark waters will sober you right up.
Rated 29 Jan 2020
70
76th
This was a decent telling of a very disturbing story. Acting an all fronts is good and the film has a decent flow and edit. Maybe a tad long towards the end.
Rated 28 Jan 2020
65
54th
Crazy to see Ruffalo this thicc
Rated 20 Dec 2019
80
68th
Any story about an infuriating injustice being fought by a small group is going to be interesting, but Haynes also finds a deeper way into this story by showing what kind of character it takes to face down the industry you essentially work for to reveal the truth. Ruffalo, and to a certain extent Tim Robbins playing his boss at the law firm, are playing conservative insiders who are outraged and somewhat disillusioned by what they find. It's an engrossing story, that lags a bit in the 2nd half
Rated 18 Dec 2019
70
57th
sonuç ve süreçten bağımsız olarak karakter ve sistem kutlamasına dönüşecek bir formül filmi todd haynes'in elinde -olabildiğince- sürükleyici ve gerçekçi bir süreç dökümantasyonu şeklini alıyor. hikayeyi ön plana çıkarabilmek ve karşılığı olacak bir anlatı kurmak adına önemli tercihler bunlar fakat karakteri odağa alıp kavramsal çerçevesini silik bırakmasıyla filmin kalıcı ve vurucu bir damarı yok, en büyük eksiği de bu.
Rated 17 Dec 2019
50
20th
Not very good at all. We have seen this film a million times and this one does nothing to make it different from all the others.
Rated 14 Dec 2019
4
70th
Leave it to Todd Haynes to take what could've been a generic corporate thriller and make it snugly fit into his own body of work: besides its obvious thematic links with [Safe], it's Haynes' remarkably adroit handling of the domestic drama here which proves as crucial as anything. (Anne Hathaway, in a cast of knockouts, steals the show.) Give the man a blank check, I'll never doubt him again.
Rated 09 Dec 2019
73
63rd
These kinds of whistleblower legal thrillers are a dime a dozen, but they’re only occasionally as well-crafted as this one. Todd Haynes doesn’t dazzle the viewer with style (though the film isn’t lacking that), rather with sheer filmmaking competency. Dark Waters doesn’t offer the sort of cathartic ending that some auciences will long for, but it’s in service of a brutally cynical thesis: A good deed had better be its own reward, because the world will definitely punish you for it.

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