In Waves, directed by Phuong Mai Nguyen and written by Fanny Burdino, Samuel Doux, and AJ Dungo, is an animated romantic drama that brings a deeply personal and heartbreaking story to life. Inspired by AJ Dungo’s autobiographical graphic memoir of the same name, the film follows AJ’s relationship with Kristen, a young woman whose love for surfing and the ocean becomes an important part of their journey together. Their story explores the beauty of first love, the vulnerability of human connection, the challenges of illness, and the emotional complexity of grief. The animation’s visual symbolism relies on metaphorical language, conveying emotions that dialogue alone could not fully capture. The visual storytelling brings an added layer of emotion, while the dialogue and imagery work together to create truly tearjerking scenes.
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The direction of this film and its emotional contrasts set the bar HIGH. The animation represents experiences that are difficult to communicate through ordinary, realistic imagery. A feeling can be expressed through color. Emotional distance can be represented through composition. The passage of time can be seen through a changing environment. These techniques allow the film to communicate emotional experiences without requiring every feeling to be explained verbally.
The animation’s visual symbolism relies heavily on metaphorical language, particularly through its use of water. Each scene, transition, and change in atmosphere follows the movement of the ocean. Water represents the flow of life, reminding us that life is constantly moving, changing, and evolving. Just as the ocean carries waves of different sizes and strengths, our lives bring experiences of different intensities. Some moments feel gentle and peaceful, while others arrive unexpectedly and leave us struggling to regain our balance. In this sense, the ocean becomes a reflection of human experience, illustrating how we move through happiness, uncertainty, love, pain, and loss.
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The symbolism of water also reflects the unpredictable nature of life. We may enter certain experiences believing that we understand where they will lead, only to discover that circumstances can change beyond our control. A calm ocean can become turbulent, just as a peaceful period in life can be interrupted by unexpected hardship. This symbolism becomes particularly meaningful throughout AJ and Kristen’s relationship. At the beginning, the ocean represents discovery, excitement, and the possibility of a future together. As their relationship develops, the water becomes connected to their shared memories and experiences.
The film also explores the process of learning to surrender to things we cannot control. Surfing requires a person to recognize the power of the ocean rather than attempt to control every movement of the waves. In much the same way, life requires us to adapt to circumstances that do not always align with our expectations. We can prepare, make plans, and develop meaningful relationships, but we cannot guarantee how long certain experiences will last or how events will unfold. AJ’s journey reflects this as he develops a relationship with the ocean that challenges his initial fear of the water. The shared experiences he has with Kristen become a way for him to embrace something unfamiliar and discover new aspects of himself.
Emotions are similar to waves. They are not always predictable or consistent. Happiness does not last forever, but neither does sadness necessarily remain at the same intensity. Our emotional experiences shift over time, sometimes gradually and sometimes without warning. The film captures this reality by drawing parallels between the ocean’s movements and the unpredictable nature of human emotion.
At the end, the narration reminds us that “grief comes in waves.” A person may feel relatively at peace one day and then experience overwhelming sadness when a memory, place, or familiar experience brings their loss back to the surface. The ocean’s constant movement offers a visual representation of this emotional process. Rather than presenting grief as a straight path toward recovery, the film suggests that healing involves learning to live with emotions that may return at unexpected moments.
Another meaningful aspect of the film is how it portrays love as an experience that transforms a person’s identity. AJ and Kristen’s experiences demonstrate how the people we love can influence our interests, perspectives, and understanding of ourselves. Even when a relationship is affected by loss, the influence of that person does not necessarily disappear. The memories, lessons, and experiences they leave behind can continue to shape the person who remains.
The waves represent both the beauty and the difficulty of being alive. Some carry us toward experiences that bring happiness and connection, while others force us to confront uncertainty, vulnerability, and grief. Yet the water continues to flow, reminding us that life continues to unfold even when we experience profound loss.
Ultimately, In Waves encourages viewers to recognize the importance of being present, embracing meaningful connections, and accepting that life is both temporary and beautiful. Like the ocean, our experiences continue to move through us, leaving impressions that shape who we become. Through its emotional storytelling and powerful visual symbolism, the film reminds us that love, loss, and grief are not separate from the experience of living but are deeply intertwined with it. Just as the waves continue to return to the shore, our memories and emotions remain part of us, reminding us of the people we have loved and the moments that have changed our lives forever.
