The Poetry of Waves: How 'In Waves' Captures the Essence of Love and Loss
There’s something profoundly moving about the way water shapes our lives—its fluidity, its unpredictability, its ability to both heal and destroy. In Waves, the animated film that opened Cannes’ Critics’ Week, uses this elemental force as a metaphor for the human experience, weaving together first love, heart-wrenching loss, and the joy of surfing into a narrative that feels both intimate and universal. Personally, I think what makes this film stand out isn’t just its elegant animation or its emotional depth, but the way it invites us to reflect on our own lives. Water, after all, is a mirror—and In Waves holds that mirror up to us with remarkable grace.
Love as a Wave: The Ebb and Flow of Connection
At its core, In Waves is a love story, but it’s one that resists the clichés of the genre. AJ and Kristen’s relationship isn’t just about grand gestures or sweeping romance; it’s about the small, everyday moments that build a life together. What many people don’t realize is that the most powerful love stories are often the quietest ones. The film’s portrayal of their bond—from the awkward meet-cute in a suburban high school to the tender moments of shared vulnerability—feels achingly real.
One thing that immediately stands out is how the film uses surfing as a metaphor for their relationship. Surfing, like love, requires patience, balance, and the willingness to embrace uncertainty. Kristen teaches AJ to surf, and in doing so, she teaches him to open himself up to life’s unpredictability. This raises a deeper question: How often do we resist the waves of change in our own lives, fearing they’ll pull us under? In Waves suggests that it’s in surrendering to those waves that we find true connection.
The Weight of Water: Loss and Resilience
But love, as the film reminds us, isn’t immune to life’s storms. Kristen’s sudden health crisis shatters the idyllic rhythm of their relationship, forcing both characters to confront the fragility of life. What this really suggests is that love isn’t just about the highs—it’s about how we navigate the lows together. The film’s portrayal of Kristen’s illness is both heartbreaking and hopeful, a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.
A detail that I find especially interesting is the way the film uses water to symbolize grief. Water, after all, can be both a source of life and a force of destruction. In one particularly poignant scene, AJ is shown surfing alone, the waves crashing around him as he grapples with his emotions. If you take a step back and think about it, this scene encapsulates the film’s central theme: grief isn’t something we overcome; it’s something we learn to carry.
Cultural Currents: Identity and Belonging
What makes In Waves even more compelling is its exploration of cultural identity. As Philippine American characters, AJ and Kristen navigate a world that often erases their heritage. Kristen’s stories about Duke Kahanamoku and the colonization of Hawaii aren’t just historical footnotes—they’re a reminder of the ways in which culture can be both reclaimed and lost. From my perspective, this is where the film truly shines. It doesn’t treat identity as a checkbox; it weaves it into the fabric of the story, making it feel organic and lived-in.
The snippets of Tagalog spoken by Kristen’s father, the references to Filipino culture—these aren’t just tokens of diversity; they’re a reflection of the characters’ lived experiences. What many people don’t realize is that representation isn’t just about visibility; it’s about authenticity. In Waves gets this right, and it’s all the more powerful for it.
The Art of Animation: A Visual Symphony
Visually, In Waves is a masterpiece. Director Phuong Mai Nguyen’s use of watercolor palettes and monochrome sequences creates a dreamlike quality that enhances the emotional resonance of the story. The sun-kissed hues of coastal California contrast sharply with the stark black-and-white scenes of the imagined Hawaiian princess, a symbol of Kristen’s strength and resilience.
In my opinion, the film’s animation style is a perfect match for its themes. The hand-drawn simplicity feels intimate, like flipping through the pages of a graphic novel. And yet, there’s a fluidity to the visuals that mirrors the film’s exploration of water. The way the waves crash, the way the light filters through the palm trees—it’s all meticulously crafted to draw us into the characters’ world.
The Sound of Emotion: A Multisensory Experience
But In Waves isn’t just a visual feast; it’s a sonic one, too. The sound design—the whoosh of the surf, the wind rustling through palm fronds, the scratch of markers on paper—adds a layer of immersion that’s rare in animated films. Personally, I think this is where the film truly comes alive. Sound has a way of bypassing our rational minds and tapping directly into our emotions, and In Waves uses this to great effect.
The musical score, too, is worth mentioning. It’s understated yet powerful, a perfect complement to the film’s emotional beats. There’s a moment when AJ skateboards home in the rain, elated after his first kiss with Kristen, and the music swells in a way that feels both triumphant and bittersweet. It’s a reminder that life’s most beautiful moments are often tinged with melancholy.
The Bigger Picture: What In Waves Teaches Us About Life
If In Waves is about anything, it’s about the impermanence of life—and the beauty we find in that impermanence. The film doesn’t shy away from the pain of loss, but it also doesn’t let that pain define its characters. Instead, it shows us how love, resilience, and connection can help us navigate life’s storms.
One thing that I find particularly fascinating is the film’s exploration of time. There’s a sense of urgency in every frame, a reminder that life can change in an instant. And yet, there’s also a stillness, a quiet acceptance of the way things are. This duality is what makes In Waves so profound. It’s a film that understands the complexity of the human experience, and it invites us to do the same.
Final Thoughts: A Wave Worth Riding
As the credits rolled, I found myself reflecting on the waves in my own life—the ones I’ve ridden, the ones I’ve let pass me by, and the ones I’m still learning to navigate. In Waves is more than just a film; it’s a meditation on love, loss, and the beauty of being alive. It’s a reminder that life, like the ocean, is both unpredictable and wondrous.
Personally, I think this is a film that will stay with you long after you’ve left the theater. It’s not just a story about AJ and Kristen; it’s a story about all of us. And in that sense, it’s a wave worth riding—one that will leave you breathless, heartbroken, and profoundly moved.
