SummarySet against the vibrant landscape of South Florida, Waves traces the epic emotional journey of a suburban African-American family—led by a well-intentioned but domineering father—as they navigate love, forgiveness and coming together in the aftermath of a loss. [A24]
Directed By:Trey Edward Shults
Written By:Trey Edward Shults
Waves
Metascore
Generally Favorable
80
User score
Generally Favorable
7.4
My Score
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Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
80
89% Positive
40 Reviews
40 Reviews
11% Mixed
5 Reviews
5 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Dec 8, 2019
100
In a brave move, bound to startle viewers used to conventional structures, Shults shifts gears, subtly layering shades of complexity without ever weighing the film down.
Aug 31, 2019
100
Propelled by color, energy, electronic music and a quartet of career-making performances, here is that rare sort of cinematic achievement that innovates at every turn, while teaching audiences how to make intuitive sense of the way it pushes the medium.
User score
Generally Favorable
7.4
73% Positive
82 Ratings
82 Ratings
15% Mixed
17 Ratings
17 Ratings
12% Negative
14 Ratings
14 Ratings
Aug 5, 2024
10
“Waves” is a powerful and unforgettable film that showcases , It is a deeply moving exploration of the highs and lows of life, anchored by outstanding performances and stunning visuals. While it may be a difficult watch for some due to its intense emotional content, “Waves” ultimately resonates as a testament to the strength of family and the possibility of forgiveness and renewal.
Aug 26, 2020
10
Emotionally moving. Important to see and very well made! The actors captured everything so perfectly. My favourite part was the first half!
Nov 21, 2019
88
Rarely has a movie’s title been so apt as that of Waves, a film that makes you feel like you’ve been knocked flat over by a fierce current — only to be rescued by a gentle, soothing flow of warm surf that arrives in the nick of time.
Jan 20, 2020
80
Harrison Jr is frazzled and electric; Russell is wounded and circumspect. The audacious drama is matched by musical cues from Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’s score and a wildly impressive collection of tunes, running from A$AP to SZA.
Sep 7, 2019
80
Waves shudders with ambition and nervy style; it never quite relaxes out of its harrowing first hour but the longer it stretches out, the more humane it feels.
Sep 14, 2019
67
The purpose of the fine-grained emotional details keeps getting scrubbed out of Waves as its runtime wears on and reconciliation feels increasingly imminent. The observations are sharp, but the attitudes and arcs that they paint feel overly simple.
Jan 20, 2020
40
Trey Edward Shults’s bombastic third feature crashes and recedes, leaving few revelations in its wake.
Jul 9, 2020
10
I found this movie intoxicatingly beautiful. Each role was amazingly acted and the soundtrack was perfection.
May 6, 2021
6
intense acting. very atmospheric perspective of a drama. good that the director made a stereotypical movie slightly different, with weird lyrical teenage songs, with hallucinatory light effects. very watchable and dont feel the long 2 hours. breaking the show into 2 parts to focus on the good and evil of teenage relationship, is quite 'revolutionary'in a sense.
Dec 31, 2019
2
Saw this movie. I really disagree with the current reviews. To start it is too long. Moreover the first one and a half hours are telling a depressed story that has little connection to the second half. After the 1st act I looked at my **** felt like 2 hours had gone by . The they present a new story and first part is not integrated ...it just sort of dies. Would not recommend.
Dec 9, 2019
2
What a disappointment. What a waste. Artsy and repetitive to an absurd and distracting degree, overwhelming the good acting. I stopped caring about the characters before the halfway point. There's a good movie in there somewhere, but only if you chop out at least 30 minutes, and round out all the characters.
Production Company:
- BRON Studios
- JW Films
- A24
Release Date:Nov 15, 2019
Duration:2 h 15 m
Rating:R
Website:
Awards
Hollywood Critics Association
• 3 Wins & 10 Nominations
Black Reel Awards
• 1 Win & 9 Nominations
African-American Film Critics Association (AAFCA)
• 2 Wins & 3 Nominations
