Prepare for a poignant and emotionally resonant journey when “Looking Through Water” arrives in theaters on September 12, 2025. This heartfelt drama delves into the complex and often painful terrain of family, regret, and redemption. The story centers on a father, William, who, in a final attempt to bridge the chasm between himself and his estranged son, extends an invitation to compete in a father-son fishing tournament. Set against the serene yet challenging backdrop of the open water, the competition becomes a powerful metaphor for their struggle to communicate, forgive, and understand each other.

Anchoring this deeply personal narrative is an exceptional cast led by the legendary Michael Douglas as the remorseful father, William. He is joined by the talented young star Walker Scobell as his son, Kyle, and the esteemed character actor David Morse in a pivotal role. The ensemble, which includes Tamara Tunie, Asher Grodman, and Cameron Douglas, brings a wealth of experience and depth to this story about the fragile bonds between fathers and sons and the courage it takes to mend them. “Looking Through Water” promises to be a beautifully crafted film that explores whether some wounds can only be healed by casting a line into the past.

Looking Through Water cast and crew

1: Michael Douglas as William

Michael Douglas, the Academy Award-winning icon of cinema, takes on the central role of William, a father seeking reconciliation with his estranged son through a shared fishing trip. Douglas brings a lifetime of cinematic wisdom to this part, perfectly suited to portray a man grappling with the regrets of the past and a desperate hope for the future. His illustrious career, spanning decades with iconic roles in films like Wall Street, Fatal Attraction, The American President, and more recently, the Ant-Man franchise, has consistently showcased his ability to embody characters of great complexity, charm, and vulnerability. This role feels like a culmination of that skill, requiring a raw and nuanced performance.

Douglas’s portrayal of William will undoubtedly be the emotional core of the film. He must convey a lifetime of unspoken words and missed opportunities largely through silence and action, using the quiet moments on the boat to express what his character cannot say aloud. Audiences can expect a masterclass in subtle, powerful acting as Douglas navigates the turbulent waters of paternal love, guilt, and the fragile process of asking for forgiveness, making William a profoundly relatable and human character.

2: David Morse

The immensely respected and versatile character actor David Morse brings his formidable presence to the film. While his character’s name has not been officially disclosed, Morse’s extensive history of portraying grounded, often morally complex figures provides intriguing possibilities. He could play a seasoned fellow fisherman offering William sage advice, a family friend who has witnessed the estrangement firsthand, or perhaps even a figure from William’s past who holds a key to the family’s rift. Morse is renowned for his work in films like The Green Mile, The Hurt Locker, and Concussion, as well as acclaimed television series like House and Treme.

Morse possesses a unique ability to communicate deep empathy and unshakable integrity with remarkable economy. His performance, no matter the size of the role, will add a significant layer of authenticity and emotional weight to the narrative. He serves as a stabilizing force within the film, and his interactions with Michael Douglas promise to be scenes of powerful, understated drama, potentially serving as a catalyst for William’s journey toward reconciliation.

3: Walker Scobell as Kyle

Walker Scobell, the rapidly rising young star, portrays Kyle, the estranged son reluctantly drawn into his father’s world for a fishing competition. Scobell burst onto the scene with his breakout role as the titular character in The Adam Project, where he held his own alongside Ryan Reynolds, demonstrating incredible comedic timing and dramatic chops well beyond his years. His casting suggests that Kyle is not a passive participant but a character with his own justified anger, confusion, and vulnerability.

Scobell’s role is crucial as he represents the other half of this fractured relationship. His performance must balance the defensive armor of a hurt young man with the underlying desire for connection that he is afraid to acknowledge. The dynamic between Scobell and Michael Douglas will be the engine of the entire film, and Scobell’s proven talent indicates he is more than capable of delivering a performance that is both heartfelt and resilient, making the audience feel every step of his difficult journey toward understanding his father.

4: Tamara Tunie as Miss Reno

The accomplished Tamara Tunie graces the screen as Miss Reno. Tunie is a beloved actress known for her long-running and memorable role as Medical Examiner Melinda Warner on Law & Order: SVU, as well as for her performances in films like Flight and on Broadway. Her character’s name suggests a woman of importance and warmth, potentially a local fixture in the fishing community or a long-time family friend who acts as an emotional anchor for the characters. She likely provides the wisdom and perspective that both William and Kyle need to hear.

Tunie brings a natural grace, intelligence, and profound empathy to every role she plays. As Miss Reno, she will undoubtedly offer moments of quiet solace and crucial truth-telling, serving as the story’s moral compass. Her presence provides a sense of community and history outside of the immediate father-son conflict, grounding their personal drama in a wider world of relationships and shared experiences.

5: Asher Grodman as Randall

Asher Grodman, best known for his charming and witty performance as Trevor, the pantsless ghost in the hit series Ghosts, takes on the role of Randall. This casting suggests a character who could provide levity and a different energy to the film’s otherwise heavy emotional landscape. Randall might be another competitor in the tournament, a cheerful local, or a friend of Kyle’s who brings a modern, humorous perspective to the traditional setting of the fishing trip.

Grodman has proven his exceptional skill at delivering comedy that is both intelligent and endearing. His inclusion in the cast indicates that “Looking Through Water” will balance its drama with moments of warmth and humor, preventing the story from becoming overly somber. Randall’s interactions could be vital in breaking down the walls between father and son, allowing for genuine connection to begin in unexpected and lighthearted ways.

6: Barry Livingston as Devon Mills

Barry Livingston, a veteran actor with a career spanning over fifty years since his childhood role as Ernie Douglas on the classic sitcom My Three Sons, portrays Devon Mills. Livingston’s extensive experience makes him ideal for playing a character deeply woven into the fabric of the film’s setting. Devon Mills could be the organized, perhaps slightly officious, director of the fishing competition, a seasoned angler with many years of stories, or a business associate from William’s past.

Livingston brings a sense of familiarity and lived-in authenticity to his roles. His presence adds a layer of realism and nostalgia, embodying the tradition and history of the event that William has chosen as his backdrop for reconciliation. Devon Mills represents the structured world of rules and competition, against which the unstructured, emotional journey of the main characters will powerfully unfold.

7: Cameron Douglas as Cole

Cameron Douglas, an actor and author, joins the cast as Cole. His real-life relationship to Michael Douglas adds a fascinating meta-layer to the production, though his character is distinct. Cameron has built his own career with roles in films like Loaded and the TV series It Runs in the Family. The role of Cole could be another son, a nephew, or a childhood friend of William’s, representing a different branch of family or a different potential path the family’s life could have taken.

Cameron Douglas’s participation suggests a role with significant emotional stakes. His performance will contribute to the film’s exploration of family dynamics, potentially acting as a mirror or a contrast to the central relationship between William and Kyle. His scenes will likely explore themes of legacy, expectation, and the varied ways in which family bonds are tested and strengthened over time.

8: Michael Stahl-David as Young William

Michael Stahl-David portrays the younger version of Michael Douglas’s character, William, in what are sure to be crucial flashback sequences. Stahl-David is an actor known for his leading role in the sci-fi film Cloverfield and his performances in series like The Brave and Narcos: Mexico. His casting is key to unraveling the mystery of the past, showing the events and decisions that led to the present-day estrangement.

Stahl-David’s task is to capture the essence of a younger William, providing the foundation for the older character’s regrets. These flashbacks will be vital for the audience’s understanding, painting a picture of who William was before the rift—his ambitions, his failures, and the pivotal moments where his relationship with his son began to fracture. Stahl-David’s performance will provide the emotional context that makes the present-day reconciliation efforts so powerful and poignant.

9: Blanca Guerra as Older Jenny

The renowned Mexican actress Blanca Guerra appears as Older Jenny. Guerra is a celebrated figure in Latin American cinema and television, known for her work in films like Danzón and The Queen of the Night. Her character’s name and designation imply a figure from William’s past, likely a former love interest or a significant person he knew in his youth. Her presence in the narrative suggests that the film will explore how past relationships and choices resonate into the present.

Guerra brings a depth of experience and a commanding, graceful presence to the role. As Older Jenny, she may represent a path not taken or a source of long-held wisdom for William. A meeting between these two characters after many years could be a catalyst for William to confront his past actions and find the clarity he needs to move forward with his son.

10: Ximena Romo as Julia

The talented Mexican actress Ximena Romo plays Julia. Romo has garnered acclaim for her roles in films like This Is Not a Comedy and the series La Negociadora. Her character could serve several purposes: she might be a love interest for the young Kyle, offering him a perspective on life and family that contrasts with his own; or she could be a supportive local who helps facilitate the healing between father and son.

Romo represents the future and new possibilities. Her character, Julia, likely brings vitality, compassion, and a modern outlook to the story. She may act as a bridge between the two generations, helping Kyle see his father not just as a source of past pain, but as a flawed human being, thereby opening the door to empathy and the potential for a new beginning.