In Waves, A Different Kind Of Animated Film, Washes Onto Netflix December 11

99% of original animated movies on Netflix are following the well-established Pixar / Dreamworks formula of a CG animal or kid having a cray-cray adventure. But that mold is about to be broken in a big way with In Waves, one of the streamer’s holiday offerings. There aren’t any witty one-liners, spontaneous musical numbers or moments of slapstick comedy to be found here. Instead, it’s an autobiographical romance story about two Asian surfers in Southern California.

Based on the graphic novel by AJ Dungo, In Waves is the true tale of two surfboard enthusiasts (who are unnamed in the press material) who meet, fall in love, boogie at dance halls and kiss while submerged in the ocean. One of them can draw and he promises to bring their story to everyone, hence the graphic novel…and then the movie.

It’s here we must warn you. The publicity images and trailer barely get into it, but this is actually a Nicholas Sparks-style TRAGIC romance that doesn’t end happily. There are some nice moments, but its main reason for being is to generate tears. It’s the kind of movie where one of the two gets some horrible disease and the other has to watch them die. But hey, if that’s actually what you’re into, here’s another movie for you!

In Waves was originally produced in France, but the English language version stars the voices of Will Sharpe (Too Much, The White Lotus) and Stephanie Hsu (Everything Everywhere All At Once, Joy Ride). The film is produced by Priscilla Bertin, p.g.a. and Judith Nora, p.g.a. on behalf of Silex Films, Nick Shumaker on behalf of Anonymous Content. Executive producers are Yohann Comte, Carole Baraton, Pierre Mazars, David Levine on behalf of Anonymous Content, Will Sharpe and Stephanie Hsu.

In Waves is also another Netflix movie that will debut in theaters first, although in a much smaller release window than things likeRay Gunn orNarnia: The Magician’s Nephew are getting. It opens in select cities November 27, then premieres on the streamer two weeks later, December 11.