The Poetry of Waves: How 'In Waves' Captures the Essence of Love and Loss
There’s something profoundly moving about the way water behaves in art—it’s both a mirror and a force, reflecting our emotions while shaping our journeys. In Waves, the animated film that opened Cannes’ Critics’ Week, uses this duality to tell a story that feels both intimate and universal. Personally, I think what makes this film stand out isn’t just its hand-drawn elegance or its emotional throughline, but the way it treats water as a character in its own right. It’s not just a backdrop; it’s a metaphor, a teacher, and a healer.
The Power of First Love and Shared Passions
At its core, In Waves is a love story between AJ, an introverted skateboarder, and Kristen, a gutsy surfer. What many people don’t realize is how rare it is to see a romance that feels this authentic in film. Their relationship isn’t just about sparks; it’s about shared passions, cultural exchanges, and the quiet moments that build a life together. Kristen introduces AJ to surfing, and in doing so, she opens up a world of physical and emotional liberation. This isn’t just a plot point—it’s a beautiful commentary on how love can push us beyond our limits.
One thing that immediately stands out is the film’s treatment of cultural identity. Kristen, a Philippine American, teaches AJ about the history of surfing, including its suppression by colonizers in Hawaii. This isn’t just a history lesson; it’s a way of grounding their relationship in something deeper than romance. From my perspective, this layering of cultural context adds richness to the story, reminding us that love is always shaped by the worlds we come from.
The Visual Language of Emotion
Director Phuong Mai Nguyen’s use of animation is nothing short of masterful. The sun-kissed watercolor palette of coastal California contrasts sharply with the black-and-white sequences of an imagined Hawaiian princess. What this really suggests is that the film isn’t just about the present—it’s about how the past and imagination intertwine with reality. The princess, a symbol of resilience and connection to Kristen, adds a layer of poignancy that lingers long after the credits roll.
A detail that I find especially interesting is the way the film captures the textures of water. The whoosh of the surf, the spatter against the camera lens—these aren’t just sound effects or visual flourishes. They’re reminders of water’s unpredictability, its ability to both soothe and overwhelm. If you take a step back and think about it, this mirrors the unpredictability of life itself, which the film explores through Kristen’s sudden health crisis.
Love in the Face of Uncertainty
Kristen’s illness is a turning point that forces AJ to confront the fragility of their relationship. What makes this particularly fascinating is how the film handles this crisis. It’s not melodramatic; it’s understated, focusing on the small decisions that become acts of defiance. When Kristen and AJ finally make their relationship official to her parents, it’s not a grand gesture—it’s a quiet acknowledgment that life can change in an instant.
This raises a deeper question: How do we hold onto love when everything feels uncertain? The film doesn’t offer easy answers, but it does suggest that love isn’t just about grand declarations. It’s about showing up, day after day, even when the waves are crashing down.
The Journey Beyond the Southland
The film’s final act takes AJ, Kristen, and their friends to the icy beauty of the Northwest. This journey feels symbolic—a plunge into the unknown, but also into the balm of love. What many people don’t realize is how rare it is to see a film that balances primal poetry with the mundane. In Waves does this effortlessly, capturing the way a full moon can illuminate both beauty and pain.
In my opinion, this is where the film truly shines. It doesn’t shy away from the hardness of life, but it also doesn’t lose sight of its beauty. The overhead shot of the four friends waiting for a wave on the sunset-pink Pacific is a quiet stunner, packed with feeling and hard-won knowledge. It’s a reminder that even in the face of loss, there’s always the possibility of renewal.
Final Thoughts
In Waves is more than a love story—it’s a meditation on the ways we navigate life’s currents. Personally, I think its greatest strength lies in its ability to make the personal feel universal. It’s a film that understands that love, like the ocean, is both beautiful and unpredictable.
If you take a step back and think about it, the film’s title is a double entendre. It’s about the waves of the ocean, but also the waves of emotion that carry us through life. This is a movie that stays with you, not because of its plot twists, but because of its quiet truths. It’s a reminder that even in the most painful moments, there’s always the possibility of finding your footing again.
