Netflix Acquires 'In Waves,' Opening Film of Cannes Critics’ Week

In Waves is Phuong Mai Nguyen’s feature directorial debut, adapted from AJ Dungo’s autobiographical graphic novel. The animated romance follows skater AJ and surfer Kristen as their relationship confr

The French-Belgian co-production In Waves is a feature-length adaptation by Phuong Mai Nguyen of AJ Dungo’s autobiographical graphic novel of the same name. It had its world premiere as the opening film of the 2026 Cannes Critics’ Week and opened in France on July 1. Netflix acquired the global rights outside France, with the film set to premiere on Netflix internationally outside France and Belgium on December 11. It has a runtime of 91 minutes.

A Skater and Surfer Who Fears the Water

AJ is a high school student in Los Angeles who spends his time drawing and skateboarding. He falls in love with Kristen, a surfer who feels free in the ocean, and Kristen teaches AJ, who fears the water, how to surf. But Kristen’s sudden illness shakes the future they had dreamed of. The film follows the two as they endure adversity within their shared world of friends and the sea.

Memories of the Original Turned into Animation

In Nguyen’s feature debut, Will Sharpe and Stephanie Hsu provide the English voices of AJ and Kristen, respectively. The original work is a memoir that begins with the history of surfing and records Dungo’s own memories of first love and loss, while the film also places surfing at the center of the relationship between its two characters. Production company Silex Films said that the film was acquired by Netflix after its opening premiere at Cannes Critics’ Week.