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The Wave

The Wave

Drama · Thriller · TV Movie · 1981

A teacher conducts an experiment in an American high school where students learn how easy it is to be seduced by the same social forces which led to the horrors of Nazi Germany.

Movie details

The Wave

1981 Drama · Thriller · TV Movie 44m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.9 / 10

Community rating

A teacher conducts an experiment in an American high school where students learn how easy it is to be seduced by the same social forces which led to the horrors of Nazi Germany.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over The Wave?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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The House on Carroll Street

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A reporter, fired after refusing to give names to a 1951 House Un-American Activities Committee, takes a part-time job as companion to an old lady. While working she overhears a noisy argument in the neighboring house, being conducted largely in German and involving her HUAC prosecutor. She begins to investigate, enlisting the help of the FBI Agent initially detailed to surveil her.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Alexander Grasshoff

Written by

Johnny Dawkins

Bruce Davison

Bruce Davison

Ben Ross

Lori Lethin

Lori Lethin

Lauree

John Putch

John Putch

David

Johnny Doran

Johnny Doran

Robert

P

Pasha Gray

Amy

W

Wesley Pfenning

Christy Ross

M

Marc Copage

Eric

Court is in session

Put The Wave on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Prestige Tourist

“Form is the argument.”

Every composed frame and deliberate cut is evidence that control can be thrilling in its own right.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Technique in search of a pulse.”

Immaculate construction is still construction. The film may be too busy proving its craft to feel alive.