A24’s New Waves Trailer Is Opaque in Plot but Clear in Familial Tension

A24 released another trailer Tuesday for the forthcoming family drama Waves that channels viewers in a different emotional direction than the first look released back in September. We’re given a kaleidoscope of jewel-toned moments without much narrative background to the film, early reviews of which have been as glowing as the trailers are vague.

While the previous trailer took the viewer through triumphs of love interlaced with grief, today’s launches the viewer into the immediacy of the event that rocks the family to its core. Despite a lack of narrative clarity, the strained relationship between father and son sharpens against the stress of a song. As Dinah Washington’ “What a Difference a Day Makes” plays in the background, what starts as serene becomes chaotic and nerve-racking as the music sounds like a record skipping, and the titular words of the track seem to allude darkly to the events of the story.

The new trailer ups anticipation to see the esteemed Waves cast learn from and lean on each other in what is sure to be an emotionally intense narrative. Sterling K. Brown, a This is Us favorite, is starring in the film alongside Kelvin Harrison, Jr. (It Comes at Night) as Tyler, while Taylor Russell and Renée Elise Goldsberry complete the story’s central family. Neal Huff, Clifton Collins, Jr., Alexa Demie (Euphoria) and Lucas Hedges, the latter two both mid90s stars, play supporting roles.

Trey Edward Shults wrote and directed Waves, as he did for both his debut and sophomore films, Krisha and It Comes at Night, respectively. Producers are James Wilson and Kevin Turen.

Waves will crash into theaters in limited release Nov. 15, with an expansion to follow.

Watch the gripping new trailer below, along with a striking new poster for the film.