TIFF 2026 Reviews : In Waves
In Waves Review: A Beautifully Animated and Heartbreaking Story of Love and Loss
In Waves is a breathtaking and deeply emotional animated film that beautifully captures the joy and heartbreak of first love. Directed by Phuong Mai Nguyen and adapted from AJ Dungo’s personal graphic memoir, the story follows AJ (voiced by Will Sharpe) and Kristen (voiced by Stephanie Hsu), two young people who fall in love while sharing their passion for skateboarding and surfing. But when Kristen is diagnosed with cancer, their relationship takes an unexpected and heartbreaking turn.
One of the biggest highlights of the film is its stunning animation. The beautiful visuals, fluid colours, and artistic storytelling bring the ocean and surfing culture to life in such a unique way. Every frame feels like a painting, creating an immersive world that is so easy to get lost in.
What I personally loved was how the animation completely transported me into another world. There’s something so special about animated films when they’re done well, and In Waves is a perfect example of that. Even through the characters’ voices, you can genuinely feel the emotions behind their performances. Will Sharpe and Stephanie Hsu bring so much heart to their characters, making their love story feel incredibly touching. Beyond its visuals, the film handles themes of grief, illness, and resilience with so much care. It beautifully balances the excitement of young love with the heartbreaking reality of knowing that life doesn’t always go the way we hope. I honestly wasn’t expecting to be as moved by this film as I was. It’s heartwarming, emotional, and at times devastating, but there’s also something incredibly beautiful about the way the story unfolds.
Overall, In Waves is a wonderful reminder of how powerful animated storytelling can be. With its breathtaking visuals, heartfelt voice performances, and beautiful love story, this was definitely one of those films that took me by surprise.
Watch the trailer for In Waves below
In Waves will be on Netflix on December 11, 2026