Watch The Wave [w/English Subtitles]

In the Norwegian movie The Wave, a small mountain town is threatened by an imminent natural disaster. Since the region is known for its geological instability, the alarm bells sound when a geologist named Kristian Eikjord stumbles upon some worrying indicators that a landslide is about to trigger a devastating tsunami. Kristian apprises his colleagues and urges them to inform the town's residents of the impending danger, but his warnings fall on deaf ears initially. However, when the tsunami hits the town, it's too late, and the town's population is caught in the immediate aftermath of the disaster.

The movie's story delves into the lives of the town's residents and how they react to the fast-approaching calamity. Families are seen rushing to buy emergency supplies, schoolchildren are frantically evacuated to higher ground, and the entire region becomes a hub of chaos and confusion.

Apart from portraying the human response to a natural disaster, The Wave also explores the consequences of a lack of preparation and the incompetence of the local authorities in handling such situations. Kristian's attempts to inform the authorities are repeatedly dismissed, and it's only after the disaster has struck that everyone realizes the gravity of the situation.

The protagonist of the movie is Kristian Eikjord, a geologist with the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute, who has been assigned the task of monitoring the safety of the nearby mountains by measuring the slightest tremors. He is eager to move to his family's new home in the city and start a new job in the oil industry, but his concerns about the safety of the town's residents hold him back.

Kristoffer Joner gives an impressive performance as Kristian Eikjord, a man plagued by the weight of his impending warnings and the helplessness to communicate them to the right authorities. Ane Dahl Torp is equally impressive in her portrayal of his wife, Idun, who must navigate through the chaos and uncertainty of the disaster and ensure the safety of their family.

The supporting cast is equally effective in portraying the diverse group of people present in the town, including the hotel staff, tourists, and locals. Jonas Hoff Oftebro, in particular, shines as Sondre, a daredevil snowboarder who initially dismisses the warnings but quickly becomes a vocal advocate for safety measures.

The Wave is a gripping thriller that balances the human drama with the larger-than-life spectacle of a natural disaster. Although the movie is in Norwegian, the English subtitles make it easy to follow the proceedings without missing out on any essential details.

The movie is expertly directed by Roar Uthaug, who has meticulously captured the stunning visuals of the picturesque landscape before and after the disaster. The use of practical effects over CGI enhances the realism of the movie and adds to the emotional impact of the story.

In conclusion, The Wave is a well-crafted disaster movie that strikes a fine balance between the spectacle of the disaster and the human drama that follows. The excellent performances and expert direction ensure that the movie is a satisfying and emotional ride that will leave viewers on the edge of their seats.

The Wave [w/English Subtitles] is a 2015 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 45 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6 and a MetaScore of 68.