The Wave

"It was only a matter of time."

2015 1h 45m NO

👍

6.7

SOLID

★6.7TMDB · 1,471

ActionThrillerDrama

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

Although theorised, no one is really ready when a mountain pass above the scenic and narrow Geiranger fjord in Norway collapses and creates a tsunami over 300 feet high. A geologist is one of those caught in the middle of it.

“It was only a matter of time.”

WhatsApp X Facebook Telegram

Where to watch · US

Amazon Prime VideoSubscription

fuboTVSubscription

PhiloSubscription

Amazon Prime Video with AdsSubscription

Magnolia Selects Amazon ChannelSubscription

Monsters and Nightmares Amazon ChannelSubscription

Amazon VideoRent

Apple TV StoreRent

Google Play MoviesRent

Google Play MoviesBuy

YouTubeBuy

Fandango At HomeBuy

FlixFlingBuy

Cast

Kristoffer Joner
Kristian Eikjord
Ane Dahl Torp
Idun Karlsen
Jonas Hoff Oftebro
Sondre Eikjord
Edith Haagenrud-Sande
Julia Eikjord
Fridtjov Såheim
Arvid Øvrebø
Laila Goody
Margot Valldal
Arthur Berning
Jacob Vikra
Herman Bernhoft
Georg

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Roar Uthaug
Writers: John Kåre Raake, Harald Rosenløw-Eeg, John Kåre Raake
Languages: Norwegian
Countries: Norway

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released 11 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

CINEMA

Did you know

Part of the "Wave / Quake Collection" — so the characters or world continue elsewhere.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Roar Uthaug, shot by John Christian Rosenlund. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Magnus Beite. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Christian Siebenherz shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Kristoffer Joner and Ane Dahl Torp and Jonas Hoff Oftebro carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

FACT

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "It was only a matter of time.".

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt3616916 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Roar Uthaug directs. John Christian Rosenlund behind the camera. Magnus Beite scores. Christian Siebenherz cuts. Profitable at the box office. Produced in Norway. Dialogue in Norwegian.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Released 11 years ago.
2Part of the "Wave / Quake Collection" — so the characters or world continue elsewhere.
3Directed by Roar Uthaug, shot by John Christian Rosenlund. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
4Original score by Magnus Beite. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
5Editor Christian Siebenherz shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
6Kristoffer Joner and Ane Dahl Torp and Jonas Hoff Oftebro carry the top of the cast.
7Marketing tagline: "It was only a matter of time.".
8IMDB entry: tt3616916 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
9Classified under 13 themes, including "hotel", "fjord", "tsunami", "norway".

The technical file

Cinematography: John Christian Rosenlund
Original score: Magnus Beite
Editing: Christian Siebenherz
Production design: Lina Nordqvist
Costume design: Karen Fabritius Gram
Makeup / hair: Gabriela Gociu
VFX supervisor: Arne Kaupang
Sound: Espen Rønning
Runtime: 105 min · 1h 45m
Aspect ratio (typical): 1.37:1 (Academy)
Status: Released
Budget: $5,904,067
Box office: $12,975,143
Return: 220% of budget
Original language: NO
Certification (US): R
IMDB: The Wave (2015)

Part of

Wave / Quake Collection

Norwegian disaster movies about the Eikjord Family

Also by

Roar Uthaug

Stills · wallpapers

Selected frames

Full-resolution frames — open one to save it as a wallpaper.

Wallpaper

Trailers & featurettes

Watch the pieces

Community reviews

What people are saying

Reno2016-01-14
★ 6/10
They expected it, but never prepared for it. This is the latest natural disaster flick from the Norway. About an inland tsunami that caused due to the landslide near the lake that based around the mountains. Kind of fresh in that perspective, because as far I remember I haven't seen a movie evolve in this theme which is only a slightly differs from water reservoir burst and flood accidental concepts. It's definitely a good watch, something I learnt from the Norwegian side of strategy to tackle the natural disasters. But the film was about what happens when you know the dangers and for some reason fail to the take action at the time, like maybe the human error or the negligence. It was sent to represent the nation in the 'the best foreign film' category at the 2016 Oscars, but failed to make the progress. I kind of enjoyed it, but not that impressive other than the quality performances and the visuals. I feel the story was too short, I meant not the runtime. Technically, there was no story other than the opening few minutes. It would have been better if it had the hard hitting emotions with the catchy lines and depth in all the main characters. Because when the film ends, you probably begin to forget it already, which usually won't happen for a Hollywood flick. That's the major difference if you compare it with the American films. "That rock has stood for thousands of years and will stand securely for thousands more." Okay, I agree Hollywood makes the best disaster movies. But other film industries as well catching up the trend, utilising the modern CGI and trying to match with them. Korea did the same with their first disaster film 'Tidal Wave' back in 2009. Remember this is Norways first step as well and somewhat excelled, especially in the technical area. For unknown actors and the language, these films are restricted or depended on the domestic market only and this film did great by setting up a record for that year in the revenue. But films like these are rarely recognised in the international arena, other than by the critics through film festivals. What I think is they need to improve by commercialising the overall product a bit if they want the international market like once again saying what the Korean film industry did. It opens with a simple drama that centres around a family from a small town who're facing the usual family issue. At the end of the first half, the disaster strikes, which was just around the 5 minutes. So you are going to miss those Hollywood propaganda like ships capsized or the falling skyscrapers. The usage of graphics were limited, but the later scenes were green screen shots. So I warn you to keep your expectations low. The next half was the aftermath of the calamity where the people go look for their beloved ones. But it focused only the one family, and their involvement, which is more or less similar to 'The Impossible'. The supporting characters are the weak point in the entire narrative. One of the few things I like about this film was this one looks more natural and realistic. I won't officially declare it a must see, it was not bad either. You might like it more than me. The movie is worth a watch other than often you encounter the influence of other flicks. You can't complain for those, basically, they are like a blueprint for a theme like this. If you're able to comply with pouring cliches, you could have a good time with it, in my opinion. 6.5/10
Norsk2017-11-02
★ 7/10
The Wave is an excellent Norwegian language disaster film. It centers on a geologist who is leaving town with his family for a better paying job. However, before he leaves, he suspects the mountain there may be in danger of imminent collapse. He has to convince his colleagues while there is still time for escape. When his worst fears come true, the town's inhabitants have 10 minutes to escape. Chaos then occurs as everyone tries to escape and the geologist tries to save his family. The movie cost over $6 million to make which is impressive considering the size of Norway. I would have expected a movie like this to cost much more. Everything seems very realistic. The actors and actresses did a tremendous job. There is a very well done scene inside a small shaft that had me trying to catch my own breath. As of the date I'm publishing this, the movie is available on Netflix in the US. It's definitely worth watching even if you have to pay for a rental or purchase (available for download from all major US providers). Don't let the fact that it is a foreign language film stop you.
StarsNtheDarkness2021-10-03
★ 7/10
Some pretty darn good CGI for a smaller budget movie. And when the two guys were stuck in the crevice while it was closing?!?! I was legitimately afraid for them. I do wish we could have experienced the wave for longer but alas … that’s the nature of a tsunami. A few seconds of action and then lots and lots of devastation. ¯\(ツ)/¯ One of the better disaster movies overall. Straightforward, good acting, and not overwhelmed with bad CGI.