The Wave (2019) User Reviews

It's better than your average stoner flick, alright! [+59%]

[arungeorge13 · 6/10 · 9 September 2020]

The Wave turned out to be visually superior and far better in storytelling than most stoner thrillers out there. Justin Long's the perfect choice to play Frank, a white-collar employee who's out for a night of merry-making with his colleague Jeff (Donald Faison). They meet Natalie (Katia Winter) and Theresa (Sheila Vand) at a bar and decide to head to a rave party. A drug he consumes at the party sends him on an unending trip that bends the concept of time (and eventually, decisions). The storyline gets a little convoluted in the latter half with several twists, but the screenplay (by Carl W. Lucas) wraps it up quite neatly in the end.

The 'drug trip' for Frank begins with intermittent hallucinatory episodes, making you think this is yet another film that holds a warning sign for people to never do drugs. However, it focuses more on its psychedelic visuals, a missing-person storyline (I think I'm in love with Sheila Vand!), and some not-bad humor along the way. On the downside, the subplots involving Frank's promotion (the evil insurance company cliché) and his wife walking out on him don't carry the narrative weights they should. These incidents, while pivotal to the main plot (of Frank, Jeff, and Natalie searching for the missing Theresa), somehow feel less consequential.

When you look at the complete picture, I felt The Wave tries to incorporate too much into its 90-minute runtime and succeeds in parts. That said, the amusement factor was certainly on the higher side for me.

This is what Hollywood is missing these days

[mrvino15 · 7/10 · 19 January 2022]

This could obviously be made into a Hollywood big "blockbuster" with millions into CGI, big name, expensive actors, etc. But nope, this movie came with an 8 mil dollar budget. It's got great acting, good cgi, and more importantly, heart and humanity. Everything a good film needs to succeed. Hollywood wonders why it struggles, well take notes.

A very good watch.

* * * My only wish is that they spent about 10-15 more minutes developing on screen an even MORE "loving" relationship between the family involved so the emotion hits even harder. But that's just me being picky.

An ambitious film that certainly gives you everything it's got

[jtindahouse · 6/10 · 17 January 2020]

'The Wave' starts out appearing to be a very normal film, and then slowly but surely becomes anything but. This movie is a hell of a ride. I love it when movies make you feel like you are the main character and everything they're experiencing you're experiencing too. That was the case here. The rules were very unclear about what was happening, and it felt like we were learning things at the same pace as the characters. It was very well done in that respect.

The problem with 'The Wave' is that its concept is pushing things a little to stretch it out to 90 minutes. There was enough going on, but only just. I did find my attention drifting off occasionally as what was happening on the screen just wasn't interesting enough to keep me locked in. The film tries to get quite deep at times too, and while you can't blame it for trying, it didn't always manage to stick the landing. The whole "evil insurance companies" cliche has been done to death as well.

I like original concepts like 'The Wave' that take an idea and try to turn them into something bigger. This is an ambitious film, that whilst not perfect, certainly does have some very good qualities about it. I wouldn't describe it as a must-see, but I would say there are worse ways you could spend your time.

Who is Theresa?

[plathrop69 · 6/10 · 5 February 2022]

Entertaining psychedelic, fantasy spin that has an underlining message of some sort that will either annoy you or draw you in for a fun ride. Perhaps someone can explain who the Wave drug dealer represents as he seems to have some esoteric quality. On another note, who is Theresa revealed to be at the end of the movie? 🤔

A fresh story

[Gordon-11 · 8 March 2020]

This story is not linear, and it keeps you wondering what will happen next. The viewers are in the dark just like all the characters are, until the final reveal which is very satisfactory. I think this is a fresh story.

Hang in

[Pukeonthestreet · 7/10 · 30 December 2021]

I know it's a rough start but it's well done and has a good message. I give up on overly unmoral characters sometimes and maybe I miss out. This movie is something different in an age when things are either bad or more of the same. So enjoy.

Reality is a choice.

[DrProfessor · 6/10 · 4 December 2020]

The film is about letting the universe steer your consciencenss like a wave through your own perception of 'reality'.

It explores several ideas, not so well in my opinion, though it deserves credit for trying.

It's worth a watch if you seek ideas that are out of the box and because there is a modicum of wisdom, wrapped in a candy coating.

Uniteresting & Unimaginative

[thatmadarasiguy · 2/10 · 18 February 2020]

The Wave, so far, falls at the bottom of my list of movies for 2020. It's a weird, psychedelic version of The Hangover, but with none of the humour, characterization, or plot. Even the visuals, which should be surreal (because the movie is based around a drug trip), instead looks like an Instagram/Snapchat filter, making sure that this film has, in fact, absolutely nothing going for it.

The Wave tells the story of Frank the insurance lawyer and his buddy Jeff (a criminal underutilisation of Donald Faison) as they navigate their way through a party. When Frank does a hit of something from a mysterious dealer (played by the ever-Irish Tommy Flanagan), he finds himself the life and soul of the party-until it ends and he finds out that he's still high.

What's more, the girl he was partying with, Natalie, has gone missing. Now forced to retrace his steps with Jeff, he uncovers the disaster of his night, forced to confront his decisions in daylight while still high from the night before. There's so many things happening in this movie and none of it is interesting: not the main storyline involving him looking for the girl and finding out what drug he was given, not the B-story involving the insurance family; nothing at all about the movie stands out in any way. Even the music is so-so.

The movie is ridiculous in its presentation and characterisation. There's the goody-two-shoes husband with the screeching harpy of a wife; the cool black friend who's a bit of a sleaze; a whole bunch of superficial nonsense masquerading as philosophy; bland, unimaginative cinematography; a drug dealer who delights in being ultra-violent; and that's their only characterisation, mind you. The only character points they have are these. The characters have no depth or substance in any way, and the same goes for the writing. Although the dialogue does flow naturally, the plot does not, choosing tacky filters, and conversations meant to be deep, over actual plot progression. I wish I could write more about it, but anything more than what I've said would merely constitute filler, which is pretty much the entirety of this film.

Much like Inherit The Viper, The Wave suffers from poor writing and characterization, with the characters all one-note and unimaginative. The plot hinges too hard on the mystery drug and, by the end of it, you've forgotten all about it. There's some vague gesturing toward karmic balance and how decisions have effects on people, but the truth is, if you're looking for philosophy, well, that princess is in another castle.

Different

[jarradkeith · 8/10 · 19 January 2020]

This is a great movie to watch with open minded friends, with people who have ever tripped or just alone. I saw that trailer at a local Indy theater and decided to order on Xbox when it dropped. So to start I would say it's honestly a solid 7.5. Justin Long turns in a role that suits his style of acting perfectly. The build up is great and the film is extremely hard to predict. As for Donald faison he personifies the words "loyal friend" and delivers a fun preformance. The movie does come on in waves and leaves certain things to interpretation. Definitely worth at least a try for the efforts turned in on the visuals alone. Thanks for the read!

Fun, Trippy and Effortful Journey into... Nothing

[TwistedContent · 7/10 · 22 January 2020]

Decent and creative movies centered around psychadelic drugs and the sensations, phenomenons they bring, are a rarity, or at least it feels so. As I've always taken a lot of interest in the world of a psychonaut, I'm always looking out for movies like this - "The Wave" basks in the right bowl, though being much more sci-fi than anything else. It has the goods, it has the flaws, it's certainly a huge effort by everyone involved.

"The Wave" is a very lively, tightly made movie, during its first half you can sit back and enjoy the filmmakers' awesome artistry in which wrapped in are a lot of awesome suquences, some of them can even induce anxiety & all of them amuse and entertain. The humour is decent & the acting performances, honestly, frickin rock, Justin Long works up an effortful and tense lead. My favorite highlight most definitely is Tommy Flanagan as the mysterious drug aficionado Aeolus, but I have to say that literally every supporting character is as fun and vivid as the movie itself. Aesthetically "The Wave" is a hoot, dynamic, inventive, visibly full of creative technical solutions and enthusiasm. The problem with this considerably well hitting wave is the story it brings - the first half continues to add awesome stuff on more awesome stuff, seemingly building something bigger only to end up nowhere in the end. I theorise that it has a few anologies about the effects of recreational drugs like shrooms and LSD, the ego death, acknowledgment of one's flaws and the ultimate acceptance and sense of humanity. "The Wave" also has time travel and no explanation for most of its story, so that's that.

At first, "The Wave" appears fresh, different and very promising, but it has flaws - lack of substance, sort of botched ending and more - that are quite successfully hid (for some time) behind a commendable team effort and a very fun movie. Recommend for the lovers of all things trippy. My rating: 7/10.

THE WAVE?! MORE LIKE THE WHAT.

[nickeyblack35 · 4/10 · 12 August 2020]

It captured my attention, but nothing was really explained. I guess this movie is for those who get high. Because a sober man like myself ending up disliking the movie. The only character i truly liked was Donald's character. It looks good, but it's adisappointing film. I didn't like the scene of the Black man hanging in a room full of white lawyers. WTH was that about?

Really enjoyed

[jbrbsmom · 9/10 · 26 February 2022]

I found this to be different and quirky and thoroughly enjoyable. I went into it knowing almost nothing about it and don't want to spoil the fun for anyone else. Very simple plot line....a seemingly low key "yes man" goes out for an out of character drink after work with his friends and has the strangest night of his life.

Very well acted. Some of the characters were obviously well thought out and exceptionally well played, which made the movie a lot of fun.

I have not really seen anything quite like it, and originality is hard to come by in this day of remakes and plot rehashes.

It may not be for everyone with some of the darker themes, but I truly enjoy some ambiguity and mayhem and chaos thrown into my movies.

There are some very obvious moments, but also some vagueness and some twists, humor, wit and wonderful sarcasm thrown in with mystery and intrigue, a touch of violence and gore, a pinch of sex and sexual tension tied up with a bow of romance.

interesting and creative

[FeastMode · 6/10 · 27 March 2021]

Pretty fun and interesting movie. The right kind of weird, for the most part. Some really pretty visuals, and a story that keeps you invested. (1 viewing, 3/22/2021)

A mess

[ks-60500 · 2/10 · 18 February 2020]

Story itself is so messy that a guy took social drugs and illusions appeared. The main stream is to find his lost wallet and reveal the fact what he took. It's so not funny and not sci fic and barely a drama. Looking at that acting makes me sick.

A bit of psychedelic fun !!

[Vindelander · 7/10 · 28 April 2020]

Pretty entertaining although weird. Think of Alice In Wonderland crossed with The Hangover and you've got it. I enjoyed it and there's actually a moral in there for good measure.

Good acting and effects and it bounces along. If you want to relax with some popcorn and a few tinnies this is the film for you.

The Wave

[b-96875 · 6/10 · 9 June 2020]

The Wave is an interesting film starring Justin Long as a relatively square insurance broker who takes a powerful unknown hallucinogenic and as a result of this, experiences some pretty frightful hallucinations which are deftly portrayed and are intensely believable. However, even though the hallucinations are portrayed as well as you could expect from a B movie, it isn't without its sticking points.

What lets this film down is the execution of the storyline. While the overarching plot of the film is a relatively coherent one, the film muddily flits from one aspect of the story to the other, never making the film quite as believable as it could or should have been. The Wave allows too many loose ends, and the ending instead of completing the plot asks more questions than answers. Overall this is a decent film with some intense and intriguing scenes, however the execution of these themes lets the film down.

Weird and trippy at times

[dar0417 · 6/10 · 10 June 2020]

Weird and trippy at times but there is enough here to keep you guessing and watching to see what will happen next.

Nonsensical dull idiotic waste of time

[martingraws · 1/10 · 12 February 2020]

I first thought I was gonna watch some interesting deep philosophical movie about existentialism, life goals, objectives, meanings... a guy who challenge all his rooted believes after taking some obscure psychedelic drug. But it was nothing like that, it was a dull boring pathetic mess of a movie (maybe tries to be a comedy?) it seems it was written by a 12yo kid. Avoid!

It's Donny Darko meets Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

[file83 · 8/10 · 26 January 2022]

A young corporate attorney who specializes in cutting people out of insurance payouts finds a case that will save his company a lot of money. He has to present his idea the next morning, so his friend talks him into going out on a bender to celebrate the night before.

What begins to unwind is a nonlinear time jump adventure from what seems to be reality to full blown "Bardo" style hallucinations.

Well done in that it's not predictable, and doesn't explain everything: you get to figure it out for yourself.

Some super intense scenes, so not a movie for the faint of heart.

Also, a fantastic performance by Justin!

Get Carried Away On The Wave

[nebk · 6/10 · 17 January 2020]

Starring Justin Long "The Wave" is a part thriller, part comedy, part drama, part action film about a nerdy Insurance claims lawyer called Frank Winters who goes through a drug induced surreal experience when he spontaneously decides to celebrate a big case success with his friend from work. They meet two girls, go to a house party and things obviously go horribly wrong. The next morning he wakes up and everyone from the party is gone, he goes to work and is hallucinating and soon he is being chased by drug dealers wanting their drugs back. And to make things worse his wife suspects he is cheating on her and he has lost his wallet.

The Wave is a decent movie although it doesn't know what it wants to be. Is it a comedy about a middle aged guy who feels like his life is stagnating, or a thriller? Or maybe it's a drama with a message that drugs and insurance companies are bad. At times the pseudo intellectual chatter and the hallucinations get to be a bit much and the ending may disappoint as it doesn't seem to fit the film. The acting is decent and the movie is just over 1 hour and 20 minutes long and it doesn't drag too much so its it's watchable. 5.5-6/10

Unfortunate

[fmwongmd · 4/10 · 2 June 2020]

Portraying what it's like to take a psychedelic the film itself needs a grounding in reality. Confusing to say the least.

Hell of a ride

[El-Andy · 9/10 · 19 January 2020]

Everything is so unexpected. I never heard of this movie before but Justin Long always plays awkward yet likeable characters and the way he is thrown into this tornado of events just makes you keep wanting to watch more and more. You are in it with him and it's one hell of a trip, literally.

Unusually Fun Psychedelic Mystery Thriller

[erikarcher · 7/10 · 17 February 2020]

Sort of like if Memento and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas had an irreverently upbeat baby. Totally worth a watch if you want something "different" but don't feel like being mentally scarred in the process.

The wave at Donnie Dahhrko.

[markpayne-29166 · 5/10 · 23 April 2020]

An okay film which obviously draws from the superior 'Donnie Darko', Time travel, Been to places he doesn't know, Yet he does, Been to places he knows,. Yet doesn't, An unseen guiding force, And the only way to put things back on track, Is for him to die. It wasn't until the final scene, that I realized that this was practically 'Donnie darko'.

The dealer with the fair hair, and the fur coat, was obviously GOD!!

A little urban parable

[davidjaldred · 7/10 · 8 November 2020]

This reminded me of "After Hours": although it's set in the present day, it had a similar colour palette to any number of 1980's movies, but more importantly it kept me guessing most of the way through - sort of like "After Hours". OK, it kept me guessing the way through. But it makes sense in the end. It's a sweet little urban parable.