Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Sci-fi thriller

The Wave (2020): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

The Wave (2020) movie poster

The Wave is a 2020 sci-fi thriller starring Justin Long as Frank, Sarah Minnich and Donald Faison. It runs 1 hour 30 minutes and earned $8,101 worldwide. Critics gave it 68% on Rotten Tomatoes and 51 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10.

IMDb rating
6.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes
68%
worldwide gross
$8.1K
Echo Score
60
Loading streaming availability…
The Wave (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 30m (90 min)
Genres
Sci-Fi , Thriller
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Wave About?

The premise of The Wave without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Following a chaotic celebratory evening, Frank finds himself in a disorienting, hallucinatory state where reality and fantasy become indistinguishable. He's compelled on a bizarre journey through unusual locations – from corporate boardrooms to vibrant nightclubs – as he searches for a missing girl, his lost identity, and the mystery surrounding his stolen wallet. The experience forces him to confront unsettling truths about himself and the world around him.

The Wave Themes & Keywords

· 30 tags
  • lawyer
  • voice over
  • voice over narration
  • insurance lawyer
  • insurance company
  • life insurance
  • life insurance policy
  • husband wife relationship
  • mortgage
  • 4k television
  • party
  • drugs
+18 more
  • drug dealer
  • new drug
  • drug trip
  • drug trip gone wrong
  • hallucinogenic drug
  • hallucinogen
  • dead battery
  • homelessness
  • homeless man
  • stolen wallet
  • police car
  • taxi
  • disappearance
  • stolen drugs
  • time travel
  • hit by a car
  • surrealism
  • surprise ending
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

The Wave Cast & Characters

Justin Long leads the cast as Frank, with Sarah Minnich as Cheryl and Donald Faison as Jeff.

Also Starring in The Wave

· 8 more
Ratings

The Wave Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Wave 68% on Rotten Tomatoes and 51 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 60/100, strongest in character & emotion (60) and weakest in art & craft (55).

60 /100

The Wave Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, The Wave delivers a modestly engaging experience marked by uneven craftsmanship and variable narrative depth. While its artful visual ambition and energetic soundtrack provide occasional thrills, the characters and emotional beats register as inconsistent. The plot’s originality and pacing fluctuates between intriguing and muddled sequences, limiting sustained engagement. Sensory moments shine at times yet lack cohesion. Its replay appeal sits at a moderate level, reflecting a film that intrigues in parts but falls short of full cohesiveness.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 55

    In terms of art and craft, The Wave exhibits ambitious visual flourishes alongside budgetary constraints. The direction often embraces experimental framing and dynamic editing, though execution sometimes feels erratic. Production design and special effects contribute lively yet inconsistent imagery. These efforts showcase creative intent but lack the refinement needed for lasting impact. Overall, the film’s craftsmanship oscillates between compelling moments and noticeable unevenness.

  • Character & Emotion 60

    When it comes to character and emotion, performances deliver mixed results. The lead’s amiable portrayal imbues sincerity, yet supporting roles vary in depth and resonance. Moments of genuine emotional connection emerge amid uneven character development, with occasional underexplored relationships. Chemistry fluctuates, offering glimpses of authenticity that are offset by superficial beats. In sum, the emotional core maintains occasional warmth but lacks consistent depth across its ensemble.

  • Story & Flow 60

    In terms of story and flow, the narrative alternates between compelling concepts and unclear plotting. The premise introduces intriguing ideas, but pacing slows under inconsistent structuring and plot holes. Originality is hampered by familiar themes, leading to derivative moments alongside eventful sequences. Engagement peaks when momentum builds but dips whenever clarity falters. Overall, the plot sustains interest sporadically yet falls short of cohesive storytelling.

  • Sensory Experience 60

    When it comes to sensory experience, The Wave leverages a distinctive soundtrack and stylized visuals to immerse viewers. Sound design punctuates key moments with atmospheric cues, while color palettes and visual effects reflect the film’s psychedelic ambitions. However, occasional muddiness in imagery and uneven coherence detract from overall immersion. These sensory peaks and troughs create a variable experience that alternates between vivid allure and disjointed presentation.

  • Rewatch Factor 57

    In terms of rewatch factor, The Wave offers moderate appeal for repeat viewings. Its inventive sequences and thematic undercurrents provide occasional freshness, yet narrative inconsistencies reduce enduring engagement. Some psychedelic visuals and emotional moments may invite revisitation, but unresolved plot elements and uneven craftsmanship limit sustained replay interest. Overall, the film maintains a fair level of curiosity but lacks the cohesion to compel frequent rewatches.

Plot

The Wave Plot Summary

What happens in The Wave from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Frank, an insurance lawyer, uncovers disqualifying details in the $4M life policy of a fireman who died from a heart attack. The payout would guarantee him a raise and a promotion, which he desperately needs because he and his wife Cheryl have been lavishly overspending. His co-worker Jeff invites him to celebrate the night before his presentation to the company board, and after a tense evening with Cheryl, he accepts.

Full summary

The whole story of The Wave, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

The Wave Box Office

The Wave grossed $8,101 worldwide.

2020 box office

Worldwide gross

$8.1K

US & Canada
$8.1K
Videos

The Wave Trailers & Videos

The trailer of The Wave.

Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Wave?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is Frank's profession at the beginning of the film?

Cars

Cars in The Wave

10 cars on screen, including the 1997 Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse W140 and the 1975 Buick Skylark.

All 10 cars
  • 1997 Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse W140 in The Wave 1997 Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse W140 Important role
  • 1975 Buick Skylark in The Wave 1975 Buick Skylark Minor role
  • 2016 Cadillac XTS in The Wave 2016 Cadillac XTS Minor role
  • 2011 Dodge Charger in The Wave 2011 Dodge Charger Minor role
Details

The Wave Also Known As

11 alternative titles, including “Волна” and “Ловушка разума”.

Also known as
  • Волна
  • Ловушка разума
  • 더 웨이브
  • Dalga
  • Fala
  • Хвиля
  • The Wave - Deine Realität ist nur ein Traum
  • 浪潮
  • Valul
  • ザ・ウェーブ
  • The Wave - Onda Sem Fim

Seen The Wave?

FAQ

The Wave FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Wave, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Wave?

The Wave runs 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes).

When was The Wave released?

The Wave was released on January 17, 2020.

Who is in the cast of The Wave?

The Wave stars Justin Long as Frank, Sarah Minnich as Cheryl and Donald Faison as Jeff, among 12 credited actors.

How much did The Wave make at the box office?

The Wave grossed $8,101 worldwide.

How is The Wave rated?

The Wave has 6.2/10 on IMDb, 68% on Rotten Tomatoes, 51 on Metacritic and 60% on TMDB.

Does The Wave have a post-credit scene?

No. The Wave has no extra scene during or after the credits.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app