Week 5: Genre Research (3)

 

    The first two minutes of Waves (2019), directed by Trey Edward Shults, set up a tense atmosphere that introduces the complex relationships within the family at the center of the story. While there’s no physical violence in the opening, the way the characters interact hints at the emotional and psychological abuse that will unfold later in the film. The way the camera focuses on the characters, the sound design, and the tension in the father-son relationship all help set the stage for how domestic violence will be represented throughout the movie.

    From the very start, the cinematography in Waves grabs your attention. The camera stays close to Tyler, the film’s main character, and shows his tense expressions. It’s clear that he’s uncomfortable, but it’s not immediately obvious why. The shot lingers on his face, emphasizing the stress he’s feeling, and as the camera follows him through his interactions with his father, you start to see the power dynamic between them. His dad, Ronald, speaks in a way that is demanding and harsh, and it quickly becomes obvious that Tyler is not just dealing with a regular father figure—he’s dealing with someone who exerts control over him. The way the camera focuses on Tyler’s discomfort and the father’s dominance subtly hints at the emotional manipulation that is happening, which is a key part of domestic violence.

    The sound in this opening scene is also a big part of why it feels so tense. Tyler’s dad yells at him about his wrestling performance, and you can hear every harsh word, but there’s no background music to soften the moment. The silence around the shouting makes it feel more uncomfortable. It’s like the lack of music makes the words and the anger feel even sharper. This silence in the sound design builds up the tension, making you feel like something is about to snap. The yelling and the way the camera stays close to Tyler’s stressed face shows how emotionally overwhelming this relationship is for him. This is a perfect example of how emotional abuse can be just as damaging as physical abuse in a domestic violence situation.

    Even though no physical violence is shown in the opening scene, the way Tyler’s dad talks to him and the way Tyler reacts hints at a deeper issue. His dad isn’t just angry; he’s controlling and dismissive. It’s easy to see that this verbal abuse is part of a pattern, and it’s clear that it has an emotional impact on Tyler. In real-life situations, verbal abuse often leads to physical violence, and Waves hints at how this cycle works. The movie shows how damaging emotional manipulation and control can be, especially when the person doing it is in a position of power, like a parent. This helps the audience understand that domestic violence isn’t just about physical hitting—it can be about control and making someone feel worthless.

    In conclusion, the first two minutes of Waves set up the film’s exploration of domestic violence in a really powerful way. Through the tight camera work, the emotional sound design, and the tense father-son relationship, the film shows how verbal and emotional abuse can be just as dangerous as physical violence. Even though there’s no physical fight in the opening scene, it hints at the emotional trauma that comes with being in an abusive family dynamic. This subtle introduction to domestic violence helps us understand that it’s not always obvious, but it can have long-lasting effects on people.