The Wave

Play trailer

The Wave

R

2020

1h 27m

Sci-Fi

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

68%

Tomatometer

38 Reviews

63%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

When Frank goes out on the town to celebrate an upcoming promotion, his night takes an unexpected and bizarre turn when he is dosed with a hallucinogen that alters his perception and changes his life forever.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

Much like its addled protagonist, The Wave struggles to stay on target, but Justin Long's performance helps this pleasantly offbeat sci-fi fantasy find its way.

Read Critics Reviews

Cary Darling

Houston Chronicle

01/30/2020

Smash together bits of Martin Scorsese's "After Hours," Michel Gondry's "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" and an episode of the old TV show "Scrubs"...and you might get "The Wave," an appealingly ambitious debut feature from director Gille Klabin.

Go to Full Review

Katie Walsh

Tribune News Service

01/23/2020

2.5/4

A punchy and visually arresting calling card that announces the arrival of the filmmaker's bold style.

Go to Full Review

Kristy Puchko

Riot Material

01/19/2020

he Wave feels like a fresh, fun, and funky episode of The Twilight Zone.

Go to Full Review

Rocco T. Thompson

Rue Morgue Magazine

07/03/2024

Starring Justin Long as a bloodsucking lawyer out to salvage his soul, Klabin’s film feels like the Nicecore answer to Gaspar Noé’s Enter the Void.

Go to Full Review

Q.V. Hough

Vague Visages

02/18/2022

The Wave spotlights the writing on the wall for its most flawed characters, but also makes sure to settle on the base-level humanity of others. The result is an affecting and forward-thinking film that pinpoints what it means to be self-aware.

Go to Full Review

Brent McKnight

The Last Thing I See

06/25/2020

B-

"The Wave" feels tailor-made to spark shallow philosophical musings from stoners sitting on couches rather than offering real insight. Still, it's fun, doesn't overuse psychedelic visuals, and as a debut feature, shows off an inventive and peculiar eye.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

sara lynn m

@saralee15835 Jan 15

Seriously an amazing movie. I thought Justin Long and Donald Faison from Scrubs? It will be mildly amusing at best. Wrong. Funny, but also thought provoking and a terrific concept that comes through at the end. Definitely Justin Long's I'd say best role, of any movie I've seen him in. It's sad that most people missed it, given the timing of COVID.

See more

Matthew H

@BimmyLee Jan 6

I thought it was good and i am planning to watch it again to see what i missed the first time through. It is a little confusing at first, but the movie gives just enough info to tell you what's happening but not so much thst it is totally predictable This movie reminded me of Timecrimes...

See more

jacehtc01 T

@RT58231103 Apr 19

Justin Long was fantastic in the movie. It’s tough to follow, but the nuggets you get make it worthwhile.

See more

D P

@RT45936356 Apr 4

This was about as so-so of a movie as it can get. Everything right in the middle of acceptable entertainment.

See more

Emilliano Jr S

@emill_santos 01/20/2025

Mind blowing, best suit for your trip.

See more

Jeff M

@RT05228041 12/15/2024

Wow What A Trip! Great Movie!!

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Gille Klabin

Director

Justin Long

Frank

Donald Faison

Jeff

Tommy Flanagan

Aeolus

Sheila Vand

Theresa

Katia Winter

Natalie

The Quiet Earth

71%

68%

The Quiet Earth

Watchlist

Xtro

44%

36%

Xtro

Watchlist

Something In The Dirt

89%

48%

Something In The Dirt

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Something In The Dirt

Attack of the 50 Ft. Woman

20%

38%

Attack of the 50 Ft. Woman

Watchlist

Spiderhead

39%

30%

Spiderhead

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Spiderhead

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

When Frank goes out on the town to celebrate an upcoming promotion, his night takes an unexpected and bizarre turn when he is dosed with a hallucinogen that alters his perception and changes his life forever.

Director: Gille Klabin
Producer: Joshua Bunting, Gille Klabin, Carl W. Lucas, Monte Young
Screenwriter: Carl W. Lucas
Distributor: Epic Pictures
Production Co: EchoWolf Productions
Rating: R (Sexual References|Language Throughout|Some Disturbing Images|Strong Drug Content)
Genre: Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 17, 2020, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 17, 2020
Runtime: 1h 27m

Most Popular at Home Now