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Independent guide · 2019 film

Waves (2019): cast, every song, the plot and where to watch

Written and directed
Trey Edward Shults
US release
November 15, 2019
Running time
135 minutes
Rated
R
Score
Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross
Watch in the US
Rent from $3.99 (JustWatch, Oct 29, 2026)
Find a song from the film Where to watch
2.40 : 1 The film changes frame shape as the story turns. How and why.
01

One family, two halves

No spoilers here. The full story, with warnings before each twist, is in the plot summary.

First half

Tyler

A senior on the wrestling team, with a girlfriend, a fast car and a father who expects him to win. He hides a shoulder injury to keep competing.

Second half

Emily

His younger sister, quiet in the first half, takes over the story. It becomes a film about grief, forgiveness and a first relationship.

02

Main cast

Fourteen credited roles, the director’s aunt among them. Full cast and characters.

  • Tyler Williams

    Kelvin Harrison Jr.

  • Emily Williams

    Taylor Russell

  • Ronald Williams

    Sterling K. Brown

  • Catherine Williams

    Renée Elise Goldsberry

  • Luke

    Lucas Hedges

  • Alexis Lopez

    Alexa Demie

03

The music, 39 cues

A24’s annotated playlist lists 39 songs and score cues in film order: 9 from the Reznor and Ross score, 6 from Frank Ocean, and Kendrick Lamar, Tame Impala, Radiohead, SZA and Amy Winehouse among the rest.

Soundtrack Every song in order Title, artist and the scene it plays in. Score The Reznor and Ross score All 14 tracks with running times. Tool Song finder Search by artist, scene or half of the film.
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Own it, play it, watch next

The Blu-ray, the score, the albums behind the soundtrack, and films by the same people.

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04

All guides

The film

The film Plot summary The film Ending explained The film Themes and meaning The film Is Waves a true story? The film Parents guide and rating

Music

Music Soundtrack: every song Music Score by Reznor and Ross Music Song finder

People

People Cast and characters People Trey Edward Shults People Reviews and awards

Watch and behind the scenes

Watch and behind the scenes Where to watch Watch and behind the scenes Blu-ray and DVD Watch and behind the scenes Filming locations Watch and behind the scenes Why the screen size changes Watch and behind the scenes Release and box office Watch and behind the scenes Movies like Waves
05

Questions people ask

What is Waves (2019) about?

A suburban South Florida family comes apart after one night. The first half follows Tyler, a high school wrestler pushed hard by his father; the second half follows his younger sister Emily as the family tries to heal. Trey Edward Shults wrote and directed it, and A24 released it in the US on November 15, 2019.

Where can I watch Waves?

In the US on October 29, 2026, JustWatch listed Waves to rent for $3.99 on Amazon Video, Apple TV and Spectrum On Demand, and to buy for $12.99 on Amazon Video and Apple TV. It was not listed on Netflix, Max or Hulu in the US that day. The Lionsgate Blu-ray and DVD came out February 4, 2020.

Who plays Tyler and Emily in Waves?

Kelvin Harrison Jr. plays Tyler Williams and Taylor Russell plays his sister Emily. Sterling K. Brown and Renée Elise Goldsberry play their parents, Lucas Hedges plays Luke and Alexa Demie plays Alexis.

Who did the music for Waves?

Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross wrote the score, released as a 14 track album on November 26, 2019. The film also uses songs by Frank Ocean, Kendrick Lamar, Tame Impala, Radiohead, Amy Winehouse, SZA, Kanye West, Animal Collective and Alabama Shakes. A24’s annotated playlist lists 39 cues, 6 of them Frank Ocean.

Why does the screen size change in Waves?

Shults and cinematographer Drew Daniels change the aspect ratio as the story moves. Tyler’s half widens from 1.85 to 2.40 and beyond, then closes to a boxy 1.33 as his world closes in; Emily’s half opens back out and the film ends at 1.85.

Sources: Wikipedia, The Numbers, A24 annotated playlist, Film Music Reporter, American Society of Cinematographers, JustWatch (checked 2026-10-29).