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Waves
2019 136 min Canada, United States of America R 18+
★7.6
Romance, Drama
Director: Trey Edward Shults
Trailers
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Teaser
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Description
A controlling father’s attempts to ensure that his two children succeed in high school backfire after his son experiences a career-ending sports injury. Their familial bonds are eventually placed under severe strain by an unexpected tragedy.
Budget:
$6M
US Gross:
$1.66M
Worldwide:
$2.58M
Starring
Taylor Russell
Actor
Kelvin Harrison Jr.
Actor
Alexa Demie
Actor
Awards
14 wins & 42 nominations total
Key opinion
Waves is a visually ambitious and emotionally raw family drama that explores the impact of toxic pressure and the journey toward forgiveness. While critics and audiences largely celebrate its technical prowess and powerful performances, some viewers find its heavy atmosphere and deliberate pacing challenging to endure.
| Acting | Taylor Russell and Kelvin Harrison Jr. deliver deeply affecting, standout performances that anchor the film's emotional intensity. | |
| Cinematography | The cinematography is masterfully executed, utilizing shifting aspect ratios, vivid color palettes, and fluid camera movements to mirror the characters' internal states. | |
| Score | The soundtrack, featuring a mix of curated artists and a score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, effectively elevates the film's tonal shifts and emotional landscape. | |
| Theme | The film's ambitious two-part structure successfully explores complex themes of grief, toxic masculinity, and familial redemption. | |
| Pacing | The 135-minute runtime and heavy, contemplative tempo reward viewers looking for immersion, while others find the experience exhausting or overly laborious. |