The Shape of Water, the 2017 fantasy romance film directed by Guillermo del Toro, has been widely acclaimed by critics and audiences alike, winning four Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director. The film tells the story of a mute woman who falls in love with a mysterious amphibian creature held captive in a secret government facility in the 1960s.
However, some fans of del Toro’s previous work have wondered if The Shape of Water is actually a secret prequel to his Hellboy films, based on the Dark Horse comics by Mike Mignola. Hellboy is a supernatural superhero who works for the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense (BPRD), along with other strange beings, such as Abe Sapien, a fish-like humanoid with psychic abilities.
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The Similarities Between The Shape of Water and Hellboy
The main reason why some fans think that The Shape of Water is related to Hellboy is the striking resemblance between the amphibian creature in the former and Abe Sapien in the latter. Both characters are played by Doug Jones, a prolific actor who specializes in portraying creatures and monsters using prosthetics and makeup. Jones has also collaborated with del Toro in other films, such as Pan’s Labyrinth and Crimson Peak.
Besides the physical appearance, the amphibian creature and Abe Sapien also share some personality traits and preferences. They both enjoy eggs and classical music, and they both have a curious and gentle nature. They also communicate telepathically with humans who touch them.
Furthermore, the backstory of Abe Sapien in the Hellboy films has some parallels with the plot of The Shape of Water. Abe was discovered in a water-filled tube in a hospital basement during the Civil War, and he was about to be dissected by the BPRD scientists until Hellboy intervened. Similarly, the amphibian creature was captured in the Amazon rainforest and brought to a laboratory in Baltimore, where he was tortured and experimented on by a ruthless agent.
The Differences Between The Shape of Water and Hellboy
Despite these similarities, there are also many differences between The Shape of Water and Hellboy that make it clear that they are not connected. First of all, del Toro himself has denied any link between the two films on several occasions. He has stated that The Shape of Water is not an Abe Sapien prequel or origin story, and that the amphibian creature is not Abe at all.
Secondly, the design and origin of the amphibian creature are different from those of Abe Sapien. The creature has different markings, colors, shapes, and gill placements than Abe. He also has bioluminescent spots on his body that Abe lacks. Moreover, the creature is implied to be an ancient god worshipped by an indigenous tribe in South America, while Abe is a human who was transformed by a mystical ritual involving a mysterious artifact.
Thirdly, the tone and genre of The Shape of Water are distinct from those of Hellboy. The former is a fairy tale romance with elements of drama and thriller, while the latter is an action-adventure comedy with elements of horror and fantasy. The Shape of Water focuses on the emotional bond between the protagonist and the creature, while Hellboy focuses on the action-packed missions of the BPRD team.
The Inspiration Behind The Shape of Water
According to del Toro, The Shape of Water was inspired by his childhood fascination with the 1954 monster movie Creature from the Black Lagoon. He wanted to create a story where the creature and the human woman would end up together, instead of being enemies or victims. He also wanted to explore themes such as loneliness, love, empathy, and otherness.
