The story of In Waves and War
In Waves and War follows three Navy SEALs as they navigate the aftermath of deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. These aren't soldiers struggling with the standard markers of PTSD that talk therapy can touch — they're dealing with what the film calls treatment-resistant psychological pain, the kind that doesn't budge with conventional approaches. What unfolds is a portrait of men caught between two worlds: the brotherhood of special operations and the isolation of untreated trauma. The documentary doesn't shy away from what they've endured, but it pivots toward something unexpected — a clinical trial using psychedelic-assisted therapy as a potential pathway to healing. It's a film about finding hope where conventional medicine has left these warriors behind.
Behind the making of In Waves and War
In Waves and War emerged from the creative partnership of directors Bonni Cohen and Jon Shenk, whose previous work has tackled urgent social issues with both intimacy and scope. The film was produced by Actual Films, Participant (the production company behind Oscar-winning documentaries like An Inconvenient Truth), Chicago Media Project, and Studio AKA. This lineup signals serious documentary pedigree — Participant in particular has built a reputation for films that combine rigorous filmmaking with real-world impact. The documentary premiered at the Telluride Film Festival on August 31, 2024, one of North America's most prestigious documentary showcases, before landing on Netflix on November 3, 2025. That festival-to-streaming trajectory reflects both the film's artistic credibility and its reach potential. With a runtime of 108 minutes, the film allows breathing room to develop character and context without meandering — a sweet spot for intimate documentary work.
What makes In Waves and War stand out
What's striking about In Waves and War isn't that it's the first documentary to examine PTSD or psychedelic medicine — it's how it refuses to treat either as abstraction. The film centers actual human beings, their faces, their voices, their specific struggles. You're not watching talking heads explain trauma; you're watching men who've lived through things most of us can't fathom try to reclaim their lives. The cinematography captures both the bleakness of untreated psychological pain and the tentative hope that emerges when these SEALs begin their therapeutic journey. Critics have noted the film's willingness to sit with discomfort — it doesn't offer easy redemption or wrap everything in a neat bow. Instead, it asks harder questions: What does healing actually look like? Can psychedelics do what years of traditional therapy couldn't? The IMDb rating of 6.7/10 reflects the documentary's divisive nature; it's not a film everyone will embrace, but that's partly because it refuses sentimentality. What I keep coming back to is how the film treats its subjects with genuine respect — not as victims or cautionary tales, but as intelligent men trying to survive their own minds. If you're tracking documentaries on Movie OTT, you'll find In Waves and War sits at the intersection of medical, military, and psychological storytelling.
How to stream In Waves and War online
In Waves and War is available on major OTT services, with Netflix being the primary platform following its November 2025 release. The film's availability may vary by region and over time, so checking the Where to Watch widget at the top of this page will show you exactly which services currently carry it in your location. Movie OTT tracks streaming availability across platforms in real-time, so you can find the most up-to-date information without hunting across multiple websites. Given the film's runtime of just under two hours, it's a manageable watch in a single sitting — perfect for a weekend evening if you're in the mood for something demanding but ultimately rewarding.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Who directed In Waves and War?
The film was directed by Bonni Cohen and Jon Shenk, both accomplished documentary filmmakers known for tackling complex social issues. Cohen and Shenk have previously collaborated on projects exploring urgent contemporary challenges.
Q: When was In Waves and War released?
In Waves and War premiered at the Telluride Film Festival on August 31, 2024, and became available on Netflix on November 3, 2025. The film had a festival run before its broader streaming release.
Q: Is In Waves and War based on a true story?
Yes. In Waves and War is a documentary that follows real Navy SEALs undergoing actual psychedelic-assisted therapy trials. The film documents genuine individuals and their experiences with treatment-resistant PTSD.
Q: What is the runtime of In Waves and War?
The documentary runs 108 minutes, giving the directors sufficient time to develop character and explore the complexities of trauma and experimental treatment without excessive length.
Q: What are the main themes explored in In Waves and War?
The film examines combat trauma, the limitations of conventional mental health treatment, psychedelic medicine as an emerging therapy, and the personal journeys of three Navy SEALs seeking healing. It also touches on the broader cultural shift around psychedelics in clinical settings.
Final thoughts on In Waves and War
In Waves and War is a documentary for people willing to sit with hard truths. It won't comfort you with easy answers. It won't make you feel good in the way feel-good documentaries do. But it will make you think — about what we owe the people we ask to fight our wars, about the limitations of systems designed to help them, and about whether unconventional solutions deserve a real chance. If you're looking for challenging, human-centered documentary work that engages with urgent questions, this one deserves your time. Check your preferred streaming platform through the widget above, and give it a watch when you're ready for something that doesn't look away.