Between Waves is a 2018 thriller film starring Faust Checho, Andy Ahrens, and Ben Cain. The film is directed by Virginia Abramovich and written by Carlos Corral and Joanne Tamburro. It tells the story of a man named Ivan, who is on a quest to find his missing wife, Ana, who vanished while scuba diving in the ocean. The movie sets up its premise through flashbacks, where Ivan and Ana are shown to be a happy, adventurous couple who enjoy exploring the vast depths of the ocean. The couple's professional careers are also explored, with Ivan working as an oceanographer and Ana as an astronaut. The opening sequence of the film establishes their love for each other and their shared love for the ocean.
Their world is shattered when Ana disappears while scuba diving. Despite search efforts and rescue missions, Ana's body is never found, and her disappearance is ruled as a tragic accident by the authorities. Ivan, however, refuses to accept this, and he becomes increasingly obsessed with finding his wife's body and uncovering the truth about what really happened to her.
The rest of the film follows Ivan as he tries to piece together what happened to his wife while also dealing with the emotional turmoil that her loss has caused him. He becomes increasingly unhinged and desperate, turning to radical methods to try and uncover the truth. As he delves deeper into this mystery, Ivan begins to question his sanity, and the film takes on a surreal quality, blurring the lines between reality and imagination.
The film's cinematography is stunning, and it captures the beauty of the ocean and the complexities of the underwater world. Between Waves is a dialogue-light film, with the ocean serving as a constant backdrop to the narrative. The film's soundscape is also a beautifully crafted element and enhances the film's overall sense of disquiet and foreboding. Its pacing is slow, but it never drags, and the film rewards patient viewers with an intricate and unpredictable storyline.
The standout performances of the film are delivered by Faust Checho and Andy Ahrens, who play Ivan and Ana, respectively. Checho delivers a nuanced performance that captures the character's descent into madness, and the film effectively captures his grief and desperation. Ahrens, on the other hand, has a limited screen time but manages to make an impression as Ana, portraying her as a loving and adventurous partner.
Ben Cain's performance in a supporting role is also commendable. He plays a fellow oceanographer and Ivan's friend, who serves as a voice of reason in the film. Cain does an excellent job of balancing his character's empathy and skepticism, and his performance anchors the film's narrative, preventing it from spiraling too far into the surreal.
Between Waves is a slow-burn thriller that relies on atmosphere and suspense to keep the audience engaged. While it may not be for everyone, those who appreciate films that prioritize mood over action will find it to be a rewarding experience. The film explores themes of loss, grief, and obsession in a way that is both heartfelt and unsettling, and it leaves a haunting impression on the viewer long after the credits roll.
In conclusion, Between Waves is a beautifully crafted film that showcases the talent of its cast and crew. Its themes are universal, and its story is both engaging and thought-provoking. While it may not be a conventional thriller, it rewards patient viewers with a satisfyingly complex and captivating narrative.
Between Waves is a 2018 adventure movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes.
It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3.
