Leon Niemczyk, Jolanta Umecka, Zygmunt Malanowicz, Aygmunt Malonowicz
Noz w Wodzie was not only Polanski's first feature-length film, but it also marked the first screen appearance of Polish actor Zygmunt Malanowicz who played a young student. In fact, the only experien... read more 
DVD Release Date: September 30, 2003
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Stats: 461 reviews
Your Rating
Flixster Reviews (461)
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March 20, 2012It was good but not as good as repulsion. The acting and cinematography were great but the film's pacing with its lack of story depth left me somewhat empty at the end.
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September 10, 2011fb1216165431A Roman Polanski debut work that strictly features a ménage ą trois: a couple and a young stranger, on a sailing trip. Knife In The Water features gradual subtle exposition of tension that has developed into something intriguing. Inventive. Stirring. Dynamic.
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November 23, 2010This is one of Polanski's great early films, and one of my favourites, it involves a love triangle, and is very suspenseful and dramatic. I love it.
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August 19, 2010While this is a good movie, I was wanting, and expecting, it to be great. It is good, but it seems a little random and under developed. I appreciate subtlety, and there is a lot of unspoken tension that's going on, but I kind of wished there was some more visceral action, and a l... read more
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May 31, 2010Since Jolanta Umecka spends about 90% of the film in a skimpy white bathing suit, I actually had to watch the film twice. It was during the second viewing that I discovered there were actually other characters, a boat and a pretty good plot.
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November 30, 2009I loved the simplicity of this film. It is not only filmed to perfection, but it is extremely true to life and realistic. It is also a beautiful looking film. The acting was great for first time actors and it being an extremely low budget film.
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September 7, 2009the shape of great things to come from polanski. highly suspenseful psychological thriller that doesn't rely on gore. men are silly :p
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June 1, 2008Highly original and well made film by Roman Polanski. It wasn't anything I expected and that's the thing I most enjoyed about it. It also has one of the my favorite shots in a movie. The guy might be a pervert, but at least he's a stylish director.
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June 12, 2007Polanski succeeds at almost every level in his first work. a brilliant and tense drama set on a tiny yacht with two men on a dangerous game to win the female on board
Critic Reviews
March 26, 2009
Variety Staff, Variety
October 13, 2003
Douglas Pratt, Hollywood Reporter
Knife in the Water has one of those simple, clearly expressed narratives that grabs you and holds you even though not much goes on.
May 20, 2003
Bosley Crowther, New York Times
It eminently justifies the interest in its acid contents and in the techniques of its young director that it stirred. Full Review
January 1, 2000
Don Druker, Chicago Reader
The sexual tensions build slowly and subtly, and when they explode into violence, it seems to be the desired result. Full Review
April 24, 2012
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Taut, compelling, and engaging, Polanski's Oscar-nominated thriller is one of the most brilliant debuts in film history. Full Review
August 17, 2010
Jay Antani, Cinema Writer
The acting, music and camerawork all weave together to create an unexpectedly magical, brilliantly crafted, intensely sensuous experience. Full Review
September 25, 2009
Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
Circles and triangles govern Polanski's great, brackish anecdote about the instability of human interaction Full Review
August 19, 2009
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Attests to the idea that Polanski was from the very onset, a filmmaker with a singular and disturbing vision. His is clearly a cinema of obsession. Full Review
May 1, 2009
Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
...a dazzling black-and-white chamber piece Full Review
December 14, 2007
Urban Cinefile Critics, Urban Cinefile
Knife In The Water is a claustrophobic, slow-burning expose of jealousy, spite and eroticism. Full Review
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