W2TCH
The Wave poster

The Wave (2015)

2015 • 1h 45m • Drama, Action • R
On September 22, 2026
#65652733
6565th by Pulse movie online
43.2PULSEPulse MeterOur daily Pulse Meter measures public activity and popularity signals across the web.How it works →

All reviews

Reno on The Wave

6/10 · Jan 14, 2016

This latest disaster film hails from Norway and centers on an inland tsunami triggered by a landslide near a mountain lake—a fairly original concept, as far as I can recall, differing only slightly from films about water reservoir bursts or accidental floods. It proved to be an enjoyable experience, offering some insight into how Norwegian communities approach natural disasters. The movie explores the consequences of knowing about impending dangers but failing to act due to factors like human error or negligence. The film was submitted as Norway's entry for 'best foreign film' at the 2016 Oscars, though it didn’t advance beyond that stage. I found it agreeable enough, although not particularly impressive beyond the quality of the acting and visuals. The story felt truncated, meaning its length wasn't sufficient to fully develop the narrative. Technically speaking, there wasn't much of a story beyond the initial scenes. It would have benefited from more emotionally resonant dialogue, deeper character development, and greater complexity in the main characters. Otherwise, it’s likely you’ll quickly forget it—a common contrast with Hollywood productions. That seems to be a key difference between Norwegian films and their American counterparts. > "That rock has stood for thousands of years > and will stand securely for thousands more." While I concede that Hollywood excels at disaster movies, other film industries are also embracing the trend, utilizing modern CGI to attempt to match their output. Korea did so with 'Tidal Wave' in 2009. This Norwegian film marks their first venture into the genre and achieved a degree of success, particularly from a technical standpoint. Films featuring lesser-known actors and foreign languages tend to be restricted to domestic markets, and this one performed remarkably well financially within Norway. However, such films are rarely recognized internationally outside of critical circles at film festivals. To gain broader appeal, they need to refine their approach—similar to what the Korean film industry accomplished. The movie begins with a simple family drama set in a small town, before the disaster strikes roughly five minutes into the first half. Consequently, you won't see familiar Hollywood tropes like capsized ships or collapsing skyscrapers. The special effects were sparingly used, although some later scenes relied on green screen technology; so manage your expectations accordingly. The second half focuses on the aftermath of the devastation and the search for loved ones, following a single family’s journey—a narrative reminiscent of 'The Impossible'. The supporting characters proved to be a weakness in the overall story. What I appreciated most was its sense of realism and naturalism. I won't wholeheartedly recommend it as essential viewing; it wasn’t bad, though, and you might enjoy it more than I did. It’s worth watching despite the inevitable echoes of other films—essentially serving as a template for this type of story. If you can overlook those familiar elements, you may find it to be an enjoyable experience. 6.5/10

Source on TMDB

OPTIMIZE & SAVE

Find duplicate catalogs, cut unnecessary subscriptions, and get more from the services you keep.

Start Saving