The film features an exceptional original score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross (of Nine Inch Nails), interspersed with licensed tracks from artists like Frank Ocean, Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, Tyler, the Creator, Tame Impala, and Alabama Shakes. The music does not sit quietly in the background; it acts as a Greek chorus, aggressively driving the narrative forward and articulating the interior thoughts that the teenagers cannot bring themselves to say out loud. Key Themes Explored
At the core of Waves is a bold narrative gamble: a binary, two-act structure that mirrors the dualities of life itself. The film functions like a vinyl record, distinctly split into an A-side and a B-side. Act I: The Gathering Storm
The film is distinctly split into two halves, each following a different sibling in the Williams family: Part One: Tyler (Kelvin Harrison Jr.)
: Aggressive, industrial tracks by Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross , alongside Kanye West , emphasize Tyler’s mounting anxiety and disconnect from reality. waves 2019
The Ebb and Flow of Healing: Why You Need to See (2019) In the landscape of modern cinema, few films manage to capture the visceral intensity of human emotion quite like director Trey Edward Shults’ 2019 masterpiece,
is a psychological family drama known for its unique two-part structure, vibrant Florida setting, and intense emotional journey. Waves (2019)
The summer of 2019 saw two temporally distinct, extreme heatwaves in late June and late July that broke all-time high-temperature records in several countries, including Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. The heat was not just unusual; it was deadly. The combined heatwaves are estimated to have caused over 3,950 deaths across the continent. The film features an exceptional original score by
The Anatomy of a Masterpiece: Decoding Trey Edward Shults’ Waves (2019)
In the wake of her brother's actions, Emily is left isolated, navigating a broken household and carrying a deep sense of inherited shame.
Trey Edward Shults uses technical skill to mirror the emotional states of his characters. The camera work, often described as disorienting in the first half, mirrors Tyler’s crumbling mental state. The film uses vibrant, sometimes overwhelming color palettes, and the imagery of water is a recurring motif representing both drowning in grief and the potential for cleansing and healing. 2. Powerful Performances The film functions like a vinyl record, distinctly
As Tyler’s injury worsens and his life spins out of control, the frame literally constricts around him, claustrophobically squeezing the character into a tight box to reflect his panic and isolation.
Waves follows the trauma and aftermath experienced by a suburban, African-American family in South Florida. The film is structured in distinct parts: the first focuses on Tyler Williams (Kelvin Harrison Jr.), a high school wrestling star whose life begins to unravel after a tragic accident; the second shifts perspective to his sister, Emily Williams (Taylor Russell), as she navigates grief and a search for redemption and love. Interwoven are scenes depicting the parents, Ronald (Sterling K. Brown) and Catharine (Renée Elise Goldsberry), and their attempts to hold the family together amid escalating strain. The narrative pulls the viewer through intense emotional peaks — from the kinetic energy of Tyler’s ambitions and pride to a quieter, aching portrait of Emily’s healing.