'In Waves': A luminous, moving love story on the waves
Manon Kerjean explains why the animated feature In Waves, Phuong Mai Nguyen's adaptation of a bestselling graphic novel, has been moving audiences to tears. We also take a look at Stéphane Demoustier'
Manon Kerjean explains why the animated feature In Waves, Phuong Mai Nguyen's adaptation of a bestselling graphic novel, has been moving audiences to
Read Full Story at France 24 →Why This Matters
At a time when animated films are often dismissed as escapist entertainment, *In Waves* stands out as a poignant reminder of the medium’s capacity to explore raw human emotion. By adapting a graphic novel into a luminous animated experience, Phuong Mai Nguyen bridges the gap between sequential art and cinematic storytelling, proving that the language of animation can convey intimacy as powerfully as live-action drama. The film’s emotional resonance suggests a broader shift toward narratives that prioritize vulnerability over spectacle.
Background Context
Animation has long been associated with either children’s entertainment or fantastical worlds, but recent years have seen a quiet revolution in mature themes. French-Vietnamese director Phuong Mai Nguyen’s work reflects a growing trend among European animators to draw from personal and diasporic experiences, a movement that challenges the dominance of Hollywood’s formulaic approaches. The source material, a bestselling graphic novel by Manon Kerjean, emerged from a collaboration between French and Vietnamese artists, hinting at a cross-cultural dialogue rarely explored in conventional cinema.
What Happens Next
The success of *In Waves* could encourage more studios to invest in animated features that prioritize emotional depth over marketable franchises. If it garners critical acclaim or festival buzz, it may pave the way for other adaptations of graphic novels that blend literary substance with visual innovation. There’s also potential for this film to spark conversations about the role of animation in addressing trauma and identity, particularly for marginalized voices in the industry.
Bigger Picture
Animation is increasingly becoming a vessel for stories that resist easy categorization, reflecting a wider cultural appetite for narratives that defy traditional genre constraints. As streaming platforms seek fresh content, films like *In Waves* demonstrate that audiences crave authenticity over algorithm-driven recommendations. This trend aligns with a broader renaissance in adult animation, where artistic ambition is no longer sacrificed for commercial appeal.
