The wave (The Wave) is a 2019 American fantasy thriller film directed by Jill Klabin from a screenplay by Carl W. Lucas. The film premiered in the United States on January 17, 2020.
Frank (Justin Long) is a boring and meticulous corporate lawyer who leads a predictable and orderly life. He is on the verge of a big success at work - he is about to present a case that will save his firm millions, but it will cost many people their compensation. Just before an important meeting, a colleague invites him to "celebrate" with a night out.
During a night filled with bars, music, and impulsive decisions, Frank meets a mysterious man who offers him a psychedelic drug. He takes it, and from that moment on, reality around him begins to unravel.
Frank begins to experience a series of hallucinations, visions, and time displacements. He loses control of his perceptions and finds himself in strange situations, often without knowing how he got there. As he tries to regain his memories and his life, he gradually realizes that he is not just on a psychedelic journey, but in a battle with his own ego, guilt, and morality.
„The "wave" symbolizes inner purification and awareness. Under the influence of the drug, Frank begins to question his life choices and the moral compromises he has made. His journey is painful, but it opens his eyes to the consequences of his actions, both in his professional and personal life.
The film is not a typical action or thriller, but rather an allegorical experience that mixes dark humor, psychedelics, and social criticism. It is similar in mood to films like Enter the Void, Fight Club or Donnie Darko.
