Film Review: In Waves - A Poignant Love Story

---

In Waves

France, Belgium, 2026 Original Title: – Director: Phuong Mai Nguyen Screenplay: Fanny Burdino and Samuel Doux, based on the comic by AJ Dungo Voices: Lyna Khoudri, Rio Vega, Paul Kircher, and Birane Ba Distributor: Diaphana Distribution Genre: Animation Duration: 1h31 Release Date: July 1, 2026

3/5

The opening film of the recent Cannes Critics' Week, In Waves, captivates with its emotional depth. It tells a tragic love story marked by both beauty and purity, enhanced by the quality of its animation, which carries undeniable poetic weight. Yet, despite being inspired by a true and somber tale, the film feels reminiscent of countless narratives depicting young lives shattered by illness—a theme cinema has explored for decades. While Phuong Mai Nguyen's direction poignantly captures the whirlwind romance hindered by cancer, it struggles to fully develop its characters beyond the overt melodrama of the plot.

The passions of drawing and surfing, integral to the Californian protagonists, provide a contemporary backdrop to this age-old tale of impossible love. However, one might question whether the film offers anything fundamentally new. The narrative deftly plays into familiar tropes, portraying the gifted young male artist destined to turn his passion into a career, alongside the female character who embodies the spirit of overcoming adversity through sport. The film's structure, which alternates between past and present, along with its nod to the Hawaiian roots of surfing, showcases a polished and thoughtfully crafted production.

Synopsis: AJ, a shy teenager in Los Angeles, is devoted to drawing and skateboarding. Encouraged by his best friend Francisco, he steps outside his comfort zone to attend a party at their high school, where he meets the beautiful Kristen. It's love at first sight for AJ, although Kristen takes her time warming up to him. Their bond strengthens through surfing, a passion Kristen, of Filipino descent, hopes to share with AJ, who is ironically terrified of the water.

A Familiar Tale

The concept of a great love tragically cut short by illness, specifically cancer, evokes memories of tear-jerking melodramas that have left a mark on cinema history. Films like Arthur Hiller's Love Story, over half a century old, come to mind as prime examples of this enduring genre. This does not, however, diminish the sincerity with which Nguyen portrays this personal tragedy, originally experienced by artist AJ Dungo and adapted from his comic. Our expectations, shaped by countless similar stories, invite a cynical perspective, especially as we navigate the saccharine waters of In Waves.

Nguyen adeptly counters this cynicism by following a well-trodden path from adolescent fantasy to the realization of an ostensibly unattainable love. The film presents a romantic fairy tale, with AJ's tentative yet increasingly bold attempts to win over Kristen. Their shared joy is palpable on screen, overshadowed only by the sudden onset of Kristen's illness.

The Struggle

The relentless nature of Kristen's illness becomes a central rhythm of the narrative, punctuated by hospital visits and heartbreaking relapses. This shared struggle connects the young couple not only with each other but also with the audience and their family and friends. Unfortunately, the latter group primarily serves as vague moral support, as the story is told exclusively from AJ's perspective, making it difficult to gain a broader view. AJ grapples with articulating his anguish and helplessness, often resorting to silent tears. Ultimately, he channels his grief into a creative and cathartic outlet by the ocean. To reduce his journey to mere maturation would overlook the emotional richness that the screenplay and direction imbue into the story.

This leads to our undeniable dilemma regarding In Waves. On one hand, we find ourselves resistant to the idealism with which Nguyen portrays AJ and Kristen's relationship, accompanied by syrupy English ballads. Additionally, the film's somewhat superficial engagement with countercultural elements like surfing and skateboarding pales in comparison to other more playful representations in animated films. Conversely, we also recognize the film's capacity to remind us, through the cinematic lens, of the profound beauty and inspiration that can be found in a love lived fully and reciprocally. This film, while occasionally teetering into excessive sentimentality, is more than capable of fulfilling that task.

Conclusion

If asked what In Waves made us appreciate most—be it drawing, skateboarding, surfing, or love—our answer would undoubtedly be love. Despite the romantic excesses that may not always serve the film well, Nguyen's passionate portrayal ultimately disarms our cynical hearts. This is no small feat in today's often pessimistic and nihilistic climate. It is, however, regrettable that certain dramatic digressions, particularly the gray-toned subplot involving a Hawaiian princess, failed to contribute significantly to the emotional impact of this touching love story.