Monday Morning Maybe

Add your email and we'll match picks to the services you stream at home.

Poster for Knife in the Water

Knife in the Water

Seen it?

1962 | 94 min | Drama, Thriller

Sunday Safe Bet

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

Critics loved it (97% on Rotten Tomatoes). A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for anyone who likes to be kept guessing. If you loved The Poseidon Adventure or In the Bedroom, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Tense.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 34 min.
What might put you off
  • It's in Polish, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
  • Made in 1962: an older pace and style.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

On their way to an afternoon on the lake, husband and wife Andrzej and Krystyna nearly run over a young hitchhiker. Inviting the young man onto the boat with them, Andrzej begins to subtly torment him; the hitchhiker responds by making overtures toward Krystyna. When the hitchhiker is accidentally knocked overboard, the husband's panic results in unexpected consequences.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    97% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.3 out of 10

  • AwardsBelow par

    Nominated for 1 Oscar.

  • Reach & staying powerSolid

    Streaming release that reached a modest audience; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactSolid

    About 57K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

More like this

Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks

Cast & crew

Directed by Roman Polanski

  • Leon NiemczykAndrzej
  • Jolanta UmeckaKrystyna
  • Zygmunt MalanowiczYoung Man
  • Roman PolanskiYoung Man (voice)
  • Anna CiepielewskaKrystyna (voice)