IN WAVES

We are in a creative renaissance of animation, with this year’s FORGOTTEN ISLAND, WILDWOOD, and the upcoming buzzworthy TANGLES. The best animation is based on real human stories that could, in theory, be told in live action but gain artistic depth through the visual glory of animation.

WILDWOOD“Right now, I am happy” that I saw WILDWOOD, the best film of 2026. Please “don’t miss the magic” and see this cinematic masterpiece with an audience in theaters.Review by Aaron "Dobler" GoldsteinRead the review →

IN WAVES is an adaptation of AJ Dungo’s autobiographical graphic memoir. It’s a story of hope, love, and grief, with the history of surfing sprinkled in. I’m not going to lie, IN WAVES moved me to tears. It also deserved its spot as the first animated feature to open Critics’ Week at the Cannes Film Festival.

IN WAVES shares a lot in common with Sebi Lee’s documentary PADDLE OUT. Both are love stories about a surfer facing adversity, and both hit me hardest through the people standing beside her. PADDLE OUT used real footage and extreme close-ups to pull me into Melissa’s world, and Phuong Mai Nguyen reaches that same intimacy through animation, painting the waves and AJ’s memories with a freedom only animation allows.

PADDLE OUTFilmmaker Sebi Lee caught the best wave by deciding to make a documentary about the majestic Melissa Pappageorgas.Review by Aaron "Dobler" GoldsteinRead the review →

Final Thought: Grief comes ‘IN WAVES,’ and the deep emotional waters that Nguyen’s film travels are universal. I’m hopeful audiences seek out this heartfelt love letter on Netflix and enjoy the ride.

IN WAVES opens in select theaters on November 27 and hits Netflix on December 11.