Waves is a 2019 drama film written and directed by Trey Edward Shults. Set in South Florida, the movie follows the Williams family - father Ronald, stepmother Catherine, son Tyler, and daughter Emily. Tyler is a high school wrestler with a promising future, who is pushed to succeed by his demanding and often controlling father.
As the story unfolds, Tyler suffers a career-ending injury, which sets off a chain reaction of events that upends his life and the lives of those around him. Feeling overwhelmed by the pressure to perform and the weight of his father's expectations, Tyler turns to drugs and alcohol to numb his pain.
Meanwhile, Emily struggles to find her place in the family and begins to feel like she is being overlooked and left behind. The tension between her and her stepmother also adds to the already strained relationships in the family.
After a tragic event, the family is forced to confront their pain, trauma, and mistakes. The second half of the movie shifts focus to Tyler's sister Emily, and her journey towards healing and forgiveness.
Through stunning and deeply emotional visuals, riveting performances, powerful music, and poetic writing, Waves explores themes of love, loss, guilt, forgiveness, and the importance of family and community. The film received critical acclaim for its bold and innovative storytelling and its portrayals of complex and nuanced characters.