Synopsis
Trailers
Reviews (172)
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M
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J
im already trying not to think of the meme potential to watching a teenager trash his room and punch a wall after getting a bad text what makes you think playing tyler the creator over it will help
3,171 13 -
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no u don’t understand that second half literally heals my mind body and SOUL
13,948 14 -
J
A gorgeous, heartbreaking film that will force you to reflect on yourself at every turning point in the story. One of the most painful movies I have ever experienced And the fucking soundtrack
3,186 6 -
A
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M
im convinced trey edward shults wrote this only so he could use his ~vibes~ playlist as the soundtrack
5,319 5 -
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“what a difference a day makes.” a tale of two halves. the first holding your breath and breaking your heart in two, the second walking beside you piecing it back together again. it’s a tragedy that gives itself the time to heal, the time to breathe. life changes with the tide, it comes and goes in waves. but with every retreating tide is the promise of another to come. each wave brings its own adventure, its own highs and lows. out there is an ocean full of new chances. chances to forgive, to forget. to grieve, to rebuild. to love. this is cinema at its most powerful.
10,811 22 -
M
when that aspect ratio changed from widescreen to 4:3, my ass clenched along with it
13,296 25 -
M
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D
WAVES feels like A24’s Magnolia. an operatic plea for people to be better to each other, and a cautionary tale about why you should be wary of anyone whose favorite Kanye album is The Life of Pablo. a whole lot of it doesn’t work but i couldn’t help but respect the ambition and open-heartedness of it all.
5,650 110 -
A
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K
Exactly what you’d expect from a movie to play Kanye, Kendrick, Tyler, Cudi, Frank Ocean, Chance, Radiohead and Animal Collective all in one movie. The first half of this film is literally so chaotic but in a really good way. The opening credits are sick, but I can’t tell if that’s just because I like Floridada by Animal Collective. And that’s how I felt about pretty much most of this film. Do I like this or is it really just the music? And then in the second half they dial it down on the music and you’re like yep…was definitely just the music. A mess, an absolute mess. Such a god damn mess. But maybe…MAYBE….that was the point. But a mess. This film will mean a lot to a lot of high school kids and I respect that but ehehhhhh
5,693 51 -
米
Waves is about watching one life unravel, then watching another learn how to live in its aftermath. Tyler’s half is restless and suffocating. Everything seems to keep going wrong before he has the chance to stop and think, his relationship with Alexis becoming another thing he desperately tries to hold together while everything inside him is already coming apart. The camera mirrors that unraveling; the frame slowly closes in around Tyler, making his world feel smaller and smaller, until you…
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G
2 filmes diferentes em um só! um tira o fôlego e o outro vem pra dar uma aliviada
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M
This movie absolutely broke me. The first half feels like watching everything slowly fall apart, and the second half feels like trying to pick up the pieces. I loved how the story shifted from Tyler to Emily—it made the movie feel less like a tragedy about one person and more like a story about a family trying to survive one. The cinematography, soundtrack, and performances were incredible. Everything felt so intense and emotional, sometimes almost overwhelming.
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M
It’s sad, beautiful, painful, and somehow hopeful at the same time. “You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to swim.”
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K
a beautiful film wrapped in beautiful music only to leave me with an ache i cant quite put into words
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A
Tyler sinir hastasisin knk tmmi kötü şeyler yaşamış olabilirsin de o kızın ne suçu vardı herşeyi bok ettin platin saçlarınıda yerim ama😘 bide btw Emilynin ilişkisini çok kıskandım🙄
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M
nachträglich auf 5 erhöht, film geht nicht aus kopf raus (!) cinematography 11/10
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A
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A
Hororr movie without monsters. Reasons to watch was niche edits and Alexa Demi. The second part wah healing.
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S
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P
pros and cons nang pagputok sa loob at hindi
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Y
The parallel was very nice between the siblings. The movie was pretty sad. Loved the soundtracks
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M
forever grateful for this film to show me what it means to understand humans and their grief.
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S
esse tyler tem um probleminha mental ne, me estressou o filme todo
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R
an emotional gut punch and i’m at awe at the cinematography
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P
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a film that has so successfully displayed emotion through its colour palette. The constant referral back to a blue palette tainted with coral/red perfectly shows conflicting emotions of character. I’ve also never seen a film that has explored family dynamics so well (aside from Lady Bird with Christine her mother). Waves explored feeling intense hatred, regret, empathy, distance and grief all through their characters, showing that no family is perfect and not only one suffers from a single experience, multiple people are too affected.
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V
A controlling father and a son who never discovered what he truly enjoyed doing. An unbalanced film about teenage passions that ends in tragedy, impressive sound design, and all the actors delivered genuine emotions. A great film.
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C
Just encapsulates my teenage life
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K
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M
This movie is so good because of the soundtrack and acting. I believe the story was good but the way it was filmed really made it a good movie
1 -
T
o soundtrack
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L
Indicação do Maschi 🙏🏻 bem depre como todo filme que ele me indica, mas meio que eu precisava assistir agora nesse exato momento ent foi ótimo ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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M
damn.
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E
Frank ocean coded. Soundtracks and Visuals all 10/10. Loved Especially the difference between the first ans second half of the movie. Beautiful.
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T
beautiful
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M
“he’s not a monster, he’s not evil, he’s just a human being” – omg i think i could write an essay on this movie perfectly done to make us understand tyler, hate tyler but also pity tyler kelvin harrison jr perfectly acted tyler and the pressures from his dad and life in general and tylers downfall in the end – my favourite scene was the bathroom scene between tyler and emily,him apologising for waking her and omg just seeing how…
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R
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C
Visually beautiful movie. I appreciate that Shults isn’t afraid to use aspects of cinematography that directors often shy away from like changing the aspect ratio or using very intense colours, lighting and camera movement. I loved that the movie was split into 2 with a clear turning point denoted by a change of pace and character focus. The parallels/dichotomy between the two siblings and their respective love stories are really nicely worked into the movie. One is a jarring story…
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R
A near perfect movie. Was so emotional to watch, had me on a roller coaster of emotions. Soundtrack was amazing, definitely need more movies like this one because it makes the movie so much better. It’s crazy how one little mistake can ruin a whole families life and even his as-well. It was both Tyler and his girls faults for getting into a situation like that. Minimal mistakes can genuinely ruin and scare peoples lives forever. Top 4 easilyyyy. Can’t wait to rewatch in the future.
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C
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D
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E
Waves is just wow a beautiful and emotional film. If you want to cry then this is the film to watch. The epic emotional journey of a suburban African American family as they navigate love, forgiveness and coming together in the wake of a tragic loss.
1 -
S
☹️💘😭
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S
All we have is now You have so much love to share with the world, and so much life yet to live
5 -
Z
Peak vibes
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K
10/10 movie do not recomend
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V
may this love NEVER find me
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C
dinguerie, acting 10/10 la différence d’ambiance entre les 2 parties du film le rend encore plus intéressant
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V
A segunda parte foi tão emocionante
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S
My favourite movie reminds me of my ex he wasn’t abuser but I actually feel guilty for him handling the guilt all his life and I feel so sorry for her
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F
The second hour of the movie was so comforting after what ever horrors the first half was… I love Taylor russell
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C
I think it just falls short on the emotional impact it was looking to make just because of the style over substance and the choices never felt intentional. The dynamics and relationships were compelling enough to make it through the runtime though and that’s saying something given it’s over 2 hours.
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C
Meh
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Sstefi 8 月 25, 2026
THIS IS NOT MY LIFE IT S JUST A FOND FAREWELL TO A FRIEND The best and only film ever , movies with frank ocean should honestly be their own genre
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K
I remember watching this the first time I was so shocked by the turn the film took. I appreciate dramas like this.
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R
the aesthetics of this movie is genuinely like a dream, it gives euphoria vibes in a more naturistic blue way. luke and emily are such a good couple. i started bawling when alexis fell to the ground, justice for alexis 🕊️💔. i love alexa demie so much
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I
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L
Mais par où commencer ? Ce film est tellement beau, je suis obligée de mettre cinq étoiles. Entre la colorimétrie MAGNIFIQUE du film, le bleu et l’orange (qu’on peut s’amuser à retrouver dans des petits détails durant tout le film) mis en avant, rappelant les couleurs chaudes et froides, les couleurs d’un coucher de soleil sur la mer, les inverses, un changement brutal d’atmosphère comme entre la partie 1 du film et la partie 2. Ces couleurs de coucher de…
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C
To write a review of this would be an injustice to this film, but I’ll do my best to write something with a bit of substance. This will be engraved in my mind for a very long time. There are very very few movies out there that physically make me try so hard to hold back tears and bring out waves of emotional from me that I don’t feel on a regular basis but this was one of them. From…
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T
The switch up between Tyler and Emily’s story in the middle plus the aspect ratio switch up… speechless
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ℭ
Waves não é apenas sobre a juventude, o filme é sobre a força das suas escolhas e em alguns casos, forças das escolhas de sua família. Ronald tenta ser um pai perfeito para Tyler dizendo frases como “eu queria que meus pais fizessem isso por mim” , mas sua dureza masculina impede que o filho admita fraquezas e como consequência, ele encara a vida de outra forma. “FUCK YOU… FUCK YOU, YIE, FUCK…YOU” O contexto romântico/trágico entre Tyler e Alexis…
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M
if only i could put 5 films in my letterboxd favourites bc i can’t stop thinking of this film😔😔
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N
genuine heartbreak
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S
Basically
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J
oui bon vous m’avez vendu du rêve là
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R
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L
pinche pelicula hermosa como te amo waves me pusiste a pensar
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M
The start of this movie feels so frantic. The second part feels so warm and soothing. I love these 2 perceptions of “love”. It was so relieving to see the sister find her own love in her life. I also shed a tear or two, seeing the dad try to forgive the brother for the whole movie, I feel bad for him but you reap what you sow. This movie feels so tragic but in there, there is that bit of beauty. Amazing film.
1 -
O
Myślałam, że będzie o czymś innym. Do połowy cudowny, potem średnio mi się podobał. Oczywiście soundtrack on top.
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M
100% goated asll movie that first got me into films.
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M
That was excruciating
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Two movies at one First part breaks u and the second one heals u.
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L
une vraie CLAQUE, je suis amoureuse de la partie d’emily
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i hate this film. was on edge the whole time and everything from the lighting, cinematography and incorporation was perfect. do not watch unless you want to torture yourself
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R
i love taylor russell as much as the next person but has she ever played a character that has friends
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L
damn
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B
after the first part, the story from her perspective brings to life what was missing from the first part. the conversation between the father and daughter reminds me of Good Will Hunting — “it’s not your fault.”
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M
You can still find something beautiful. Eu penso, releio e reescrevo o que quero expressar, mas não consigo completar com êxito. Sinto uma enorme angústia que vai subindo pelo meu peito, me causando falta de ar, de acordo com a proporção em que as cenas do primeiro ato se desenrolam. Tudo soa exatamente como a mente do Tyler, um caos absoluto. A busca pela perfeição, impossível de ser alcançada, a fim de satisfazer e realizar os sonhos idealizados pelos pais,…
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M
Second watch, just as devastating. One of the best soundtracks I’ve ever heard. I enjoy how the framing is used to tell the story
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P
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S
88% Wow, idk how this movie bombed in the box office. The first act is spectacular. All I can say shows how these characters actually love each other and also shows Tyler’s demons that he hides, that is mostly caused by his dad pushing him so hard and making him feel like he has to hide his shoulder injury. And that abortion scene is just amazing, with the screaming racist lady and Lex storming out of the clinic, and boom,…
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T
idc everyone in this movie is a victim except for the dad.
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D
eu: que filme bonito 😍✨ o filme: espera.. #tivespoiler:( #filmelindo
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V
Mostrei pra minha mãe! Ainda amo mas já vi comecei a ver alguns defeitos 😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔 ainda sim incríble
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A
eu amoo a trilha sonora desse filme
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C
Life goes on and that’s a beautiful thing!!!
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S
i was so on edge during the first half, i think i really enjoyed it regardless of how heavy it felt, but the second half kinda felt like it was never ending
5 -
K
Would watch again ofc but I feel like it’s a good representation of how love can go so wrong and also being misunderstood in a way. Emily was a fave character but that might be bias bc I love Taylor Russell. I felt like the consequences of her brother really brought her down but she still dragged herself through it and fell in love with someone she really deserves.
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M
Sinceramente um filme incrível! acho que jamais poderia esquecer a sensação de ver esse filme pela primeira vez! Produção incrível, os atores muito bons também , eu realmente não tenho nada a reclamar desse filme, todos deveriam ver ele uma vez na vida
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T
so we r just casually using songs by some of the greatest musicians ever as actual storytellers
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S
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S
WOWWW The soundtrack was amazing, the acting was phenomenal (especially Taylor Russel) and the cinematography was peak, funny that they played Frank ocean when they were in the ocean…
1 -
ᯓ
gente.
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L
this movie changed my whole perspective on life
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O
“All we have is now, I’m telling you this because I love you. Holding onto that much hate can destroy a person.” I’m struggling to find the words to describe this film because it just means so much to me. It’s a cinematic masterpiece that tells the story of forgiveness, regret and a family dealing with a tragedy told in the most beautiful way possible. I forgot how much I love this film and rewatching it has reminded me from…
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G
Definition of heartbreak…
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B
It broke my heart in many ways.
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J
why did you go to the party
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N
starfoula les images et la BO la dinguerie
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N
Encore la faute du patriarcacat
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A
Bu filmden anlayıb, ders çıxaracağıvız tek şey odu ki, heç bir oğlana gereyinden çox güvenmemelisiz.☹️ Ama bele ümumen anlamlı, ya da wow bir film olduğunu düşünmürem.
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L
The Siegfried scene was so heartwarming it made me forget how depressing this movie was
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A
••written by Frank Ocean•• i really was terrified when Taylor chased Alexis, scared me asf and before i watched it i thought “wow it looks like frank ocean vibey” and i caught that im right so fast, they sooo good opted in for soundtracks like i’ve been listening my coolest mixed playlist (special respect for it) it was a lil funny that Alexa Demie even there was a cheerleader:)
4 -
D
beautiful, man. i lost count of how many times i cried. i could feel anguish digging deep under tyler’s skin. frustation that lingers long after it has eaten your every attempt at self-preservation. to drown in your own blood and have nothing but yourself to claw your way out. your whole body aches and yet you pound at it as hard as your father’s yells of anger and invalidation. maybe if it had been different, maybe if your father was…
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I
I think it’s difficult to say i liked this movie but it is undoubtedly one of the best films i have ever watched. Just the amount of emotional layering was amazing and i don’t cry much but i cried at multiple points during waves. A huge positive though was the amazing relationship between Emily and Luke, that was beautiful and i think everyone could do with someone like that. The character of tyler is one of the most interesting i’ve…
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E
Eu substimava tanto esse filme, sempre enrolava para assistir. E agora, tudo que eu posso dizer é QUE EXPERIÊNCIA INCRÍVEL!
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C
what a sweet couple he must really love her! i hope nothing bad happens
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A
aaaaaaa trilha sonoraaaaaaaaaaaa 😭❤️❤️
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T
حرفياً من احلا الافلام الي شفتها قصته غريبه و مو مكرره وكيف اخر شي خسر كل شي بحياته وانسجن بسبب عدم تقبله للواقع
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S
O ROMANCE DA EMILLY É DO LUKE É PERFEITO 😭😭😭😭😭
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K
film pieknie ukazuje emocje kojarzyl mi sie troche z “adolescence”, bo tez podobna sytuacja, ze dziecko wlasciwie nagle zostaje wydarte z dziecinstwa straszne jak wszystko moze sie zmienic w ulamek sekundy, i to nie tylko zycie tylera, ale calej jego rodziny siostra tylera prze pie kna
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C
Contrived, boring, directionless, and painfully overdirected. I didn’t really feel anything from this because I don’t actually know what it’s trying to say. Is it about a toxically masculine kid? Living with the consequences of the actions of your sibling? Reconnecting with your estranged father? It switches too much to actually feel powerful (and the aspect ratio changes are laughable). The soundtrack is fine but not really stuff I listen to. It is more unique than most so I’ll give…
2 -
G
Parei de prestar atenção criticamente quando tocou IFHY, puta merda que trilha sonora incrível O filme é legal tbm
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2
this is an absolute roller coaster & once you finish it you get the same satisfaction as you would from finishing an intensely mature book. you step away a better person for it.
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S
i just 😢 can’t
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R
This movie means sm to me u don’t understand
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D
Très bon film, avec un très bon scénario, une histoire accrochante.
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D
damn
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B
First movie I cried to
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L
les musiques utilisés sont trop bien (surtout tyler the creator)
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C
Les plans sont masterclass mais le reste est explosé au sol
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U
who the fuck has approved putting radiohead’s true love waits on here i swear i
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B
trilha sonora boa até demais, inclusive acho que se escoraram demais nela, mas tudo bem… super fascinante e interessantíssimo, perspectivas super bonitas sobre a vida, trauma geracional, etc… filme meio filtro rio de janeiro. lindas mudanças de ratio. a beleza da taylor russell é de outro mundo pqp!!!
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M
I rewatch this movie every time I feel sad, so I gave it a 4.5 because it make me ball my eyes out especially on the sec half 🙁
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E
First time actually crying because of a movie
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Z
best soundtrack ive ever heard in a movie
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E
La première partie pépite mais la deuxième c’était long ! Mais la colo était belle
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꩜
This film makes me feel so much
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M
finally watched this movie though it took me a good 5 years to finish it 😭 such a beautiful film, covers several important topics at once which made it perfect for me 💔 the soundtrack is on another level wow i rlly have no words
2 -
🪽
“He’s not evil, he’s not a monster, he’s just a human being’
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I
its really hard to put this film into words… surprisingly a really good body of work. the shots with vibrant colors, aspect ratio changes all throughout the film and of course the choice of music were that made me love it the most. its so crazy how well ifhy and seigfreid hits. while the topic isnt something really that exciting, it’s still a really captivating and an easy watch. couldve been my new comfort movie if not for the insane fucking plot twist.
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H
Holy crap I don’t think I’ve ever actually cried in a movie before Now I have the vibe the color grading and overall cinematography of this movie just were unlike anything I’ve seen before The acting in this was insane Scene at the end with her and the dad really got me, really went through the whole range of the human experience throughout this(maybe the whole range of the sad parts more so but still)
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L
Побежал переслушивать блонд фрэнка)) ⬜️🟢 Как будто спин офф эйфории, поэтому мне понравилось, до сих пор не понимаю насколько. В конце даже слезы потекли, что у меня бывает крайне редко, это значит что эмоционально фильм попал в меня.
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B
frank ocean mentioned
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L
Trilha sonora foda
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R
“you have so much love to share with the world, and so much life yet to live.” god, these days, i’ve been trying to stray far from sad films but i always end up watching them anyway (that shit’s on me). this movie, however, just hit the right spots for me to the point that i was able to stomach the gnawing pain crawling out of my skin just so i could witness how the story will wrap itself up.…
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B
desde el minuto uno supe que él tyler iba a ser una mierdilla culia, pero me gusto caleta que dividieran la película en dos actos y mostraran la perspectiva de la hermana y el cómo lidio con todo además… QUE PUTO SOUNDTRACK👏👏
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J
“overrated asf in my opinion” – edp445
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N
comment tu peux tout niquer comme ça bouffon
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L
o fundo é grande brodie
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K
this movie had my mouth shut and that doesn’t happen often
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S
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A
heavy post-watch reflection needed
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J
what a painfully reflective movie. the cinematography is captivating, the score is anxiety inducing, the performances from everyone are top tier, the plot is riveting and continuously shifting and the aspect ratio changes are *chefs kiss*. while flashy in a lot of ways the story itself remains remarkably contained as a beautiful and grounded depiction of anxiety, abuse, grief, addiction, trauma, forgiveness and familial dynamics.
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C
I love the use of the lighting in this movie it’s somehow nostalgic, the changes in frame rates were a choice. The acting is immaculate, the music great and at the end of the day I’m down for a movie that will make me sob. However having in mind that it is over 2hours long the emotional part should have been dug into a bit more. It is a very beautiful movie in terms of cinematography but it lacks emotion…
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P
one star only for taylor russel. the music could never make up for how half assed the plot is. the surface level teenage characters were only bearable to watch because of the camera shots. mere 2 ghante wapas karo
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D
I couldn’t get through this movie without drinking, so fucking good it actually made me cry so many times like what. I drank 2 pints of beer getting through this movie ✊
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J
genuinely love this movie
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C
que puto desmadre la primera parte, la segunda me abrazo el corazón, awuebo pinche tyler the creator
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S
Wastes no time in being about everything. Essential, and it has my favourite trailer
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N
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W
This movie might genuinely be top 5 movies of all time but no one talks about it😭
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𝐥
Trey Edward Shults’ Waves (2019) is less interested in simply telling a story than making the audience physically and emotionally experience one. Through restless camerawork, shifting colors, carefully chosen music, abrupt transitions, and minimal but meaningful dialogue, the film explores pressure, grief, guilt, love, and forgiveness. At the center are Tyler and his girlfriend Alexis, whose relationship becomes increasingly destructive as Tyler’s carefully controlled life begins to collapse. The film’s visual style places the audience directly inside his psychological instability.…
2 -
Y
Que obra de arte que peli tan increíble 🙌👌
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Z
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B
How do we define good parents? We’re all individual human beings with our own minds and hearts. Heartbreaking story.
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I
gracias génesis por hacerme llorar
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G
Great cinematography and usage of color for emotion and effect, a little slow, great storyline and very real-life vibe to it. Not exaggerated and feels raw. Not the most exciting movie but has a great emotional impact.
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G
bohh l’inizio tutto di fretta però bello visivamente e bellissime canzoni
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A
the mark on your surface
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E
nights beat switch
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U
first half better
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∞
I felt that movie soo relatable in a unexplainable way
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L
Cinematography & soundtrack alone deserve more than 5
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Y
Ce film sonne comme Champagne Coast
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S
soundtracks ❤️
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W
I will forever be moved by this movie. It is earth shattering and heart warming at the same time. The sound track alone is phenomenal.
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M
Gosto do modo que a segunda parte do filme vira basicamente, um outro filme. A fotografia é impecável junto com as atuações. Assisti ele em um momento delicado da minha vida e acabou se tornando mais delicado ainda
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V
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T
perfect film.
- Synopsis
- 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.
- Director
- Trey Edward Shults
- Writer
- Trey Edward Shults
- Studio
- A24, Bron Studios, JW Films, Guy Grand Productions
- Country
- Canada, USA
- Language
- English
- Year
- 2019
- Runtime
- 136 mins
- USA30 Aug 2019
- Canada05 Sep 2019
- UK12 Oct 2019
- USA18 Oct 2019
- USA15 Nov 2019
- Canada06 Dec 2019
- Singapore23 Jan 2020
- USA06 Dec 2019
- UK17 Jan 2020
- Finland24 Jan 2020
- France29 Jan 2020
- Sweden07 Feb 2020
- Australia09 Jul 2020
- Germany16 Jul 2020
- Poland07 Nov 2019
- USA24 Jan 2020
- Brazil05 Jul 2020
- Japan10 Jul 2020
- Germany30 Sep 2021
- USA04 Feb 2020
- Germany30 Sep 2021
- Australia01 Nov 2021

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