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Waves (2019 film)

Waves is a 2019 American psychological drama film written, directed, and produced by Trey Edward Shults.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Waves is a 2019 American psychological drama film written, directed, and produced by Trey Edward Shults. It follows a suburban African-American family in South Florida as they face love, pressure, tragedy, and grief. The film stars Kelvin Harrison Jr., Taylor Russell, Lucas Hedges, Alexa Demie, Renée Elise Goldsberry, and Sterling K. Brown.

Plot

Waves follows a suburban family as tensions, expectations, and grief reshape their relationships. The film is commonly described as being split into two parts, with the first centred on Tyler Williams and the second on his sister Emily.

Cast

The principal cast includes Kelvin Harrison Jr., Taylor Russell, Lucas Hedges, Alexa Demie, Renée Elise Goldsberry, and Sterling K. Brown. The family dynamics between Tyler, Emily, and their parents are central to the story.

Production

Waves was written, produced, and directed by Trey Edward Shults. The film was produced by Kevin Turen and James Wilson.

Release and reception

The film premiered in 2019 and was released in U.S. theatres on a limited basis in November 2019. Review coverage highlighted its emotional intensity and themes of family, pain, and forgiveness.

Key facts

  • The film was written, produced, and directed by Trey Edward Shults.
  • It centres on a suburban African-American family in South Florida.
  • The story focuses on the emotional fallout after a tragic loss.
  • The cast includes Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Tyler Williams and Taylor Russell as Emily Williams.
  • Review sources describe it as a drama about love, forgiveness, family, and trauma.
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Canadian context

The film screened at major international festivals and was reviewed by Canadian and international film outlets, making it part of the wider North American independent-film landscape.

Frequently asked questions

What is Waves about?
It is about a suburban family coping with pressure, conflict, and a tragic loss, with the story exploring grief, forgiveness, and healing.
Who directed Waves?
Trey Edward Shults directed the film and also wrote and produced it.
Who stars in Waves?
The cast includes Kelvin Harrison Jr., Taylor Russell, Lucas Hedges, Alexa Demie, Renée Elise Goldsberry, and Sterling K. Brown.
When was Waves released?
It premiered in 2019 and received a limited U.S. theatrical release on 15 November 2019.
What genre is Waves?
It is a psychological drama film.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waves_(2019_film)
    Supports: Basic film identification, year, director, cast, and premise.
  2. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/waves_2019
    Supports: Genre, rating, release date, runtime, and synopsis.
  3. BFI Sight and Sound — https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/waves-review-fast-and-furious-teen-melodrama
    Supports: Director, cast, runtime, and plot description.
  4. RogerEbert.com — https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/waves-movie-review-2019
    Supports: Themes and critical description of the film.
  5. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8652728/plotsummary/
    Supports: Plot summary and family focus.