Water Circles Under Cotton Clouds (2023): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 2023, Water Circles Under Cotton Clouds is a drama and mystery film directed by Xiaoxi Xu, running about 24 minutes.

What it’s about. In a dystopian future, with a social context influenced by various pandemics and with a political upheaval triggering reactionary governments, various young people hide on the outskirts of a city after looting a batch of vaccines. While the leaders of the group seek to sell them on the black market, the subjugated try to get their distribution among the marginal population who, like them, are deprived of vaccination. Tensions and discrimination based on sexuality or ethnicity soon arise in the group, reminiscent of past times, and that are the reflection of a society that has regressed. Desire and melancholy will mark characters stunned by a reality that is as fickle as unpredictable.

Who’s in it. Water Circles Under Cotton Clouds stars Pelayo Carrizo as Nico, Senén Valera as Yago, Alejandro Barrena as Alex and Úrsula Villalta as Tina, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 3.5/10, Water Circles Under Cotton Clouds has proved divisive with audiences.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Water Circles Under Cotton Clouds page.

If you liked it. Fans of Water Circles Under Cotton Clouds tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.