There are powerful elements in Waves that are undone during the last 1/3 of the film. The sweeping camera work creates an energetic buzz. It’s part family drama and part Terence Mallick type allegory. The story centers around a High school student wrestler played by Kelvin Harrison and his descent.  Harrison has a dazzling intensity that draws the viewer into his ache. His father is played vividly by Sterling Brown from This Is Us. The score by Trent Reznor punctuates the high drama that comes in waves during the 135- minute movie. But things literally and figuratively go haywire in the final passages. Director Trey Edward Shults surprises us with his unpredictable choices in the first two thirds beautifully. But a devastating plot point occurs and then all logic falls apart. The film had been moving beautifully and had a dynamic rhythm that is gripping. Suddenly there are unexplained gaps in the plot and too much telegraphing of emotions. Could Shults have wanted a three hour film and A24 forced him to a ruthless cut?

Waves | Official Trailer HD | A24 – YouTube

Waves (film) – Wikipedia