The Wave (2020): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
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.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 30m (90 min)
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Epic Pictures Group
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
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 Show fewer
- 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
The Wave Cast & Characters
Justin Long leads the cast as Frank, with Sarah Minnich as Cheryl and Donald Faison as Jeff.
-
Justin Long as Frank -
Sarah Minnich as Cheryl -
Donald Faison as Jeff -
Sheila Vand as Theresa
Also Starring in The Wave
· 8 more- Katia Winter Natalie
- Tommy Flanagan Aeolus
- Ronnie Gene Blevins Ritchie
- Jocelyn Montoya Not Theresa
- Bill Sage Jonas
- Monique Candelaria Olive
- Blythe Howard Jessica Warren
- Carl W. Lucas Big Jesus
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).
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.
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IMDb 6.2 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 68% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 62%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 51 Metascore
User score 7.1
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 60% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.1 /5
15 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 3.7 /5
See on Movie Insider
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
The Wave Box Office
The Wave grossed $8,101 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$8.1K
- US & Canada
- $8.1K
The Wave Trailers & Videos
The trailer of The Wave.
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is Frank's profession at the beginning of the film?
Cars in The Wave
10 cars on screen, including the 1997 Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse W140 and the 1975 Buick Skylark.
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1997 Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse W140 Important role -
1975 Buick Skylark Minor role -
2016 Cadillac XTS Minor role -
2011 Dodge Charger Minor role
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?
Movies Like The Wave
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Wave, Soundwave and Crime Wave.
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.
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