Netflix's latest animated feature, In Waves, is poised to become one of the most emotionally resonant films of 2026. Directed by French-Vietnamese filmmaker Phuong Mai Nguyen, the movie adapts illustrator A.J. Dungo's award-winning graphic novel of the same name, which began as a school project on surfing. After its world premiere at Cannes's Critics Week and a recent showcase at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, the film has landed on Netflix, ready to captivate audiences worldwide.
The story follows a shy skateboarder, voiced by Will Sharpe (The White Lotus), who falls deeply in love with a young surfer named Kristen, voiced by Academy Award nominee Stephanie Hsu (Everything Everywhere All at Once). Their eight-year relationship, filled with shared passions and plans for the future, is shattered when Kristen is diagnosed with a life-changing illness. Nguyen's direction brings Dungo's personal narrative to life through a blend of monochrome inserts and vibrant color palettes, drawing inspiration from romantic paintings to depict both the joy of first love and the depths of grief.
In an interview, Dungo shared the surreal experience of seeing his and Kristen's story animated. "To see someone take someone you love and reanimate them, bring them back to life — I'm getting chills talking about it," he said. The private screening with Kristen's family was a mix of profound emotion and teenage embarrassment, as the film includes cringeworthy moments from his youth, like sneaking around behind parents' backs. "All of the world" will now see these moments, he joked.
Nguyen discussed her approach to adapting the graphic novel, focusing on the love story as the emotional core. She worked with screenwriters Fanny Burdino and Samuel Doux to weave in Hawaiian surfing rituals, creating a poetic connection between the historical origins of surfing and Dungo's personal journey. The film uses color to differentiate three time periods: the monochrome Hawaiian segments evoke wood engravings, while the California scenes burst with warmth and freshness.
The film's emotional depth is further enhanced by its careful attention to memory and grief. Nguyen explained that color helped her distinguish between the past and present, with the Hawaiian parts staying true to the book's black-and-white aesthetic. This visual storytelling allows viewers to experience the couple's journey in a deeply immersive way.
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Dungo hopes audiences take away a life lesson from his and Kristen's story: that love endures even in the face of tragedy. "It's a reminder to cherish every moment," he said. With its stunning animation and heartfelt narrative, In Waves is a must-watch for anyone who believes in the power of love and the healing nature of the sea.
