Mind-bending Sci-Fi Fantasy Takes Viewers on an Exciting, Colorful Adventure

Justin Long has an uncanny talent for portraying deeply flawed characters who somehow draw your empathy and support. His roles often start with abrasive personalities, yet their actions stem from relatable human impulses. In the 2019 film The Wave, this skill is fully realized. A psychedelic exploration of karma, cosmic equilibrium, and ego dissolution, the movie visually depicts stepping outside oneself to grasp ones place in the universe.

Long embodies Frank, an insurance lawyer whose career revolves around exploiting loopholes that ruin families financially. Frank lives in comfort but faces an unhappy marriage with his wife Cheryl (Sarah Minnich). After denying a $4 million payout to the family of a deceased firefighter, he celebrates a promotion with coworker Jeff (Donald Faison), leading to a night that spirals out of control.

At a party, Frank meets Natalie (Katia Winter), Theresa (Sheila Vand), and a drug dealer named Aeolus (Tommy Flanagan). Succumbing to a potent hallucinogen with Theresa, Frank wakes the next day with no memory of the events and finds himself in a chemically altered state while confronting his financial and personal crises. Suddenly, he begins leaping across multiple timelines, witnessing the consequences of his selfish decisions from nearly omniscient perspectives.

Desperate to regain control, Frank seeks Aeolus and encounters another dealer, Ritchie (Ronnie Gene Blevins), hoping that consuming more substances will restore normalcy. Instead, he realizes that his experiences intensify when he focuses solely on his own desires. By acknowledging the harm hes inflicted on others and making selfless choices, he begins to influence the timelines in meaningful ways.

The Wave presents an existential odyssey, blending psychedelic visuals with time-hopping storytelling. Longs performance anchors the chaos, transforming Frank from a character you might want to slap into someone whose growth you genuinely cheer for. As Frank confronts his flaws through surreal, mind-bending experiences, the film crafts an unforgettable lesson in empathy, consequence, and personal transformation.

For viewers who enjoy kaleidoscopic adventures paired with meaningful life lessons, The Wave is available to stream on Tubi.

Author: Zoe Harrison