'Waves' Trailer: Trey Edward Shults Creates A Vivid and Emotional Epic, About Family, Loss & Togetherness

No other movie this year may teach you as much about love, pain, suffering, compassion, and forgiveness than Trey Edward Shults’ new family drama “Waves.” Having just seen the movie at the Telluride Film Festival this past weekend (our review here from Greg Ellwood), I can say “Waves” is emotionally epic and unwieldy in shape, but ambitious and the “Krisha” director’s best film to date. “Waves” is baton-like diptych pass. About a family in South Florida, the film is essentially crafted in two parts, the first half, dynamic, vibrant, chaotic and full of anguish and tragedy. The second is much, much different, minor key, more humanist, and soulful. Together they make a vivacious and sprawling tale of family survival and togetherness.

“Waves” is the third feature by Shults who got his start at SXSW with “Krisha” (2016, scooped up by A24 right away) and then followed it up with “It Comes at Night” (2017). The movie stars Kelvin Harrison Jr., Lucas Hedges, Taylor Russell, Alexa Demie, with Renée Elise Goldsberry and Sterling K. Brown. Here’s the official synopsis:

Set against the vibrant landscape of South Florida, and featuring an astonishing ensemble of award-winning actors and breakouts alike, 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. From acclaimed director Trey Edward Shults, Waves is a heartrending story about the universal capacity for compassion and growth even in the darkest of times.

Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross composed the moody score, but the movie is also filled a lot of bangers from Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, Frank Ocean, Animal Collective, Radiohead and more.

As mentioned, “Waves” premiered at the Telluride Film Festival over the Labor Day weekend and it’s making its Canadian debut at the Toronto International Film Festival this week. A24 hasn’t dated “Waves” yet, but the trailer says “Coming Soon,” and the studio has revealed November to be the release frame on social media. Stay tuned for an exact date.