The ocean is at the heart of In Waves, an animated film that follows a young couple whose relationship grows through a shared love of surfing. The film follows AJ, a quiet and artistic teenager, as he meets Kristen, an energetic young surfer who encourages him to step outside his comfort zone.
What begins as a youthful romance gradually becomes a tender story about connection, creativity, and learning how to live through difficult change.
A Romance Begins by the Ocean
AJ and Kristen come from different worlds. AJ enjoys drawing and skateboarding, while Kristen feels most comfortable in the ocean. Their first meeting leads to a relationship that slowly changes both of them. Kristen introduces AJ to surfing, helping him overcome his fear of the water and showing him a completely different way of experiencing the world.
Surfing becomes more than a hobby for the couple. It gives them a place where they can spend time together without worrying about everything happening around them. The ocean becomes part of their relationship, creating some of the film's most memorable visual moments.
Their romance is presented through everyday experiences rather than grand declarations. Small conversations, shared activities, and time spent near the water allow the relationship to develop naturally. This makes the early part of the film feel warm and youthful.
When Everything Changes
The story takes a much more serious direction when Kristen becomes seriously ill. The change is sudden enough to reshape the lives of both characters, forcing them to think about their relationship and their future in a different way.
AJ struggles with the desire to stay close to Kristen while also trying to develop his own identity as an artist. Kristen, meanwhile, remains determined to experience life on her own terms. Her connection to surfing becomes especially meaningful because it represents something she refuses to simply give up.
The film does not treat their relationship as a perfect fairytale. Instead, it focuses on how two young people try to remain connected while facing circumstances beyond their control. Their affection remains important, but so do independence, friendship, and personal dreams.
The Ocean Shapes the Story
The animation gives In Waves much of its personality. Water, waves, beaches, and open skies are used repeatedly to create a sense of movement and emotion. The visual style shifts between vivid colors and quieter scenes, helping the film move between happier memories and more difficult moments.
The ocean also works as a natural connection between AJ's personal experiences and his creative development. When he is surfing, drawing, or simply watching the water, the film creates a feeling of space around him. These moments give the story room to breathe.
The result is an animated film that uses its medium thoughtfully. The characters remain central, but their surroundings are constantly helping communicate what they are feeling.
Will Sharpe and Stephanie Hsu
Will Sharpe and Stephanie Hsu provide the English voices for AJ and Kristen. Their performances help establish the contrast between the two characters. AJ is more reserved, while Kristen brings confidence and energy to their relationship.
That difference makes their connection interesting. Kristen encourages AJ to become more open, while AJ offers a quieter form of support as Kristen's circumstances become increasingly difficult.
Love, Art, and Memory
As AJ's story develops, art becomes another important part of his life. His relationship with Kristen influences how he sees the world, while drawing gives him a way to process experiences that are difficult to express through conversation.
This connection between creativity and memory gives the film an additional layer. In Waves is not simply about a romance that faces hardship. It is also about how important relationships can influence the person someone becomes. The story's emotional weight comes from this idea. Happiness and sadness are not presented as completely separate experiences. Memories of good moments remain meaningful even when circumstances change.
In Waves combines romance, surfing, animation, and personal growth into a reflective story about two young people whose lives become deeply connected. Its strongest moments come from the relationship between AJ and Kristen and from the way the ocean becomes part of their shared world.
For viewers looking for an animated film with a more mature emotional focus, In Waves offers something different from a typical lighthearted animated adventure. Its story is gentle but serious, using beautiful imagery and intimate performances to explore how love, creativity, and memory can continue shaping a person through life's most difficult moments.
