this is a film about motherhood, child custody, abandonment, and generational trauma. the general synopsis listed may suggest that it'll be your run-of-the-mill haunted apartment story; however, the plot runs much deeper than such. Threatened to lose custody of her daughter, Yoshimi also endures the stress of being perceived as a "good mother" while trying to find solutions for work, childcare, and their living situation. on top of all of that, she is also stigmatized for past issues with mental health. there is always a lingering sense of possible separation between the two, and this theme is further echoed throughout the storyline through other flashbacks and relationships. overall, 'dark water' is less of a horror movie than it is about the desperation of a mother trying her best for her child in an environment that doesn't do much to support her.