Short answer
Without spoilers: Tyler Williams, a South Florida high school wrestler, hides a shoulder injury and a crisis with his girlfriend from a demanding father until one night changes his family for good. The second half follows his sister Emily as the family deals with what happened.
The setup (no spoilers)
The Williams family lives in suburban South Florida. Ronald (Sterling K. Brown) pushes his son Tyler (Kelvin Harrison Jr.) hard in school and on the wrestling team. Tyler has a girlfriend, Alexis (Alexa Demie), a group of friends and a full summer of parties. His younger sister Emily (Taylor Russell) is in the background. Shults wrote and directed it; it runs 135 minutes and is rated R (The Numbers).
Tyler’s half
Spoilers The injury
Tyler learns he has a Level 5 SLAP tear in his shoulder. He hides it from his family and team, keeps wrestling, and is injured in a match, which ends his athletic career.
Spoilers Alexis
Alexis tells Tyler she is pregnant. They go to an abortion appointment, but she changes her mind, and they fight on the drive home; she walks home alone. Tyler sinks into drinking and drug use. Alexis breaks up with him and blocks him.
Spoilers The night everything changes
At a school dance, Tyler sees a photo of Alexis with another boy. He goes to a house party and confronts her in a garage. The argument turns violent: he strikes her, she hits her head on the floor, and she dies. Tyler is arrested, pleads guilty and receives a life sentence for second degree murder, with parole eligibility after thirty years.
Emily’s half
Spoilers Grief at home
The family is shattered and Emily is isolated at school. Luke (Lucas Hedges), a shy teammate of Tyler’s, approaches her, and they start dating.
Spoilers Luke’s father
Luke’s estranged, abusive father is dying of cancer. Emily encourages Luke to see him; they drive to him, Luke reconciles with his father, and his father dies a short time later.
Spoilers Father and daughter
Emily admits her guilt and resentment toward Tyler to her father, Ronald, and the two reconcile. The film ends with Emily riding her bike down an empty street and lifting her arms from the handlebars.
Plot summary based on Wikipedia. For what the ending means, read Waves ending explained; for the songs scene by scene, the soundtrack page.
Questions people ask
How long is Waves?
135 minutes. The story splits roughly in two: Tyler’s half, then Emily’s.
Is Waves sad?
Yes. The first half builds to a tragedy and the second half deals with grief, though it ends on hope. Common Sense Media rates it for ages 16 and up.
What injury does Tyler have in Waves?
A Level 5 SLAP tear in his shoulder, which he hides from his family and coach so he can keep wrestling.
Sources
Last reviewed October 29, 2026. Streaming catalogs and listings change; check the service before you pay.