The Wave

The Wave

Year: 2016

Runtime: 105 min

Language: English

Director: Roar Uthaug

ActionDramaThriller

In the stunning Norwegian landscape of Geiranger, geologist Kristian faces an upcoming departure from the warning center and a troubling prediction. As the mountain of Åkerneset shows signs of instability, his professional instincts tell him a catastrophe is about to unfold. He urgently tries to persuade the local community of the impending danger, battling against disbelief and a rapidly closing window of opportunity. With time running out, Kristian must convince them to evacuate before a devastating tsunami strikes.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – The Wave (2016)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Wave (2016). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The events unfold in a contemporary setting marked by an alien invasion. This period witnesses the collapse of society and the emergence of survival instincts as characters adapt to an increasingly hostile environment. The catastrophic waves caused by the aliens reflect a drastic shift in human existence and the struggle for survival.

Location

Cleveland, Ohio, desolate forest, Camp Haven, abandoned store

Cleveland, Ohio, serves as the backdrop for Cassie's earlier life, featuring suburban landscapes and typical teenage struggles. The desolate forest represents the harsh reality post-invasion, symbolizing isolation and danger. Camp Haven, a military training facility, becomes a focal point for survivors, emphasizing the conflict and chaos as they confront the alien threat.

🏞️ Nature 🏚️ Abandonment 🏕️ Military Camp

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:57

Main Characters – The Wave (2016)

Meet the key characters of The Wave (2016), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Cassie Sullivan

Cassie is a determined and resourceful teenager who evolves from a normal high school student into a survivor in a harsh new world. Her journey encapsulates themes of resilience, loss, and identity, driven by the need to protect her brother. Cassie's character embodies strength and vulnerability as she confronts both external and internal challenges.

👧 Teenage Protagonist 🔥 Resilient 💔 Grief

Ben Parish

Ben, a fellow survivor, grapples with guilt and moral dilemmas throughout the film. As Cassie's love interest and a recruit at Camp Haven, he represents the struggle between survival instincts and humanity. His character showcases the complexities of making choices in life-or-death situations, particularly as he navigates the manipulation of the military.

🏃‍♂️ Survivor ❤️ Love Interest 💔 Guilt

Evan Walker

Evan is a mysterious character with a complex nature that reveals itself over the course of the film. His relationship with Cassie adds depth to his character as he balances his feelings for her with his non-human origins. This duality raises questions about identity and loyalty amid the catastrophic crisis they face.

👤 Mysterious Ally ❤️ Love Interest 🤖 Alien

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:57

Major Themes – The Wave (2016)

Explore the central themes of The Wave (2016), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

⚔️ Survival

Survival is a central theme as characters are forced to navigate a dangerous, post-apocalyptic world. Cassie and her friends must rely on their instincts and forge alliances to overcome the various threats they face. This theme highlights resilience in the face of dire circumstances and the lengths one will go to protect loved ones.

💔 Loss

Loss permeates the narrative, affecting Cassie deeply as she experiences the death of family and friends. This theme explores the emotional weight of grief and how it shapes her actions throughout the film. The characters' struggles with acceptance and moving forward emphasize the profound impact of loss in a shattered world.

👥 Identity

Identity emerges as a pivotal theme, particularly in Cassie's relationship with Evan, who struggles with his true nature. The film examines what it means to be human amidst an invasion that blurs the lines between friend and foe. As trust and betrayal unfold within Camp Haven, the characters must confront their identities in a world turned upside down.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:57

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Disaster Thrillers Like The Wave

Stories where experts desperately try to avert a looming, large-scale catastrophe.Explore movies like The Wave that feature a desperate race against time to prevent a natural or man-made apocalypse. These films share a tense, high-intensity vibe, focusing on scientific predictions, community evacuation, and the struggle between expertise and public disbelief in the face of imminent doom.

tenseanxiousdesperateurgentproceduralcatastrophicsurvivalist

Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a predictable but effective arc: a threat is identified, warnings are initially ignored, evidence becomes undeniable, and a frantic effort to mitigate the disaster ensues. The central conflict is often between cold, hard data and human complacency or bureaucracy, creating a powerful sense of frustration and urgency.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here based on their shared core premise of an expert-led race to avert catastrophe. They deliver a specific kind of tension derived from foresight and the agonizing struggle to get others to act on it, resulting in a gripping, anxiety-driven viewing experience.

Gritty Survival Dramas Similar to The Wave

Gritty stories of ordinary people pushed to their limits by overwhelming forces.If you liked the tense, survivalist feel of The Wave, discover other movies where ordinary people confront apocalyptic-scale threats. These stories share a dark tone, heavy emotional weight, and a focus on the desperate, gritty struggle for life against overwhelming odds, often ending with a hard-won sense of hope.

grittydesperatetenseresilienttragicanxioussurvivalist

Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread follow a survival arc, stripping characters down to their most primal instincts. The journey is less about preventing the disaster and more about enduring its aftermath. The focus is on moment-to-moment decisions, loss, and the emergence of leadership and camaraderie in the face of tragedy.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped by their shared immersive and stressful vibe. They prioritize a sense of realistic desperation, high emotional stakes, and a focus on human endurance, creating a consistently tense and impactful experience for viewers who enjoy high-stakes survival stories.

Unlock the Full Story of The Wave

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Wave in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Wave is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Wave Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Wave, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Wave Summary

The Wave Timeline

Track the full timeline of The Wave with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

The Wave Timeline

The Wave Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of The Wave that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

The Wave Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Wave

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Wave: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About The Wave

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