Waves (2019)

This film kept me guessing until the end.
Tyler Williams (Kelvin Harrison, Jr, always great as an asshole) is a star wrestling student struggling with a secret addiction and perfectionist father (the brilliant Sterling K. Brown). And he is facing a potentially career ending shoulder injury and pregnant girlfriend, Alexis (Alexa Demie) who decides against getting an abortion. Though Tyler loves her and is supportive, he's only supportive when she goes along with his 'plan'. He is livid when she decides that she can't get an abortion. But no one could have seen what was going to happen next. Somehow, he gets his hands on some alcohol and more painkillers and drives to a party, where he accidentally ends up killing Alexis by pushing her onto the garage floor. He pleads guilty to second-degree murder where he will likely spend the rest of his life in prison, leaving his broken parents and younger sister, Emily (Taylor Russell, in what should be a breakout role) to pick up the pieces.
The second half of the film focuses on Emily and her struggles. She is mostly a loner and her parents are fighting, buried in their respective grief. But she nevertheless catches the eye of one of Tyler's old teammates, Luke (the always great Lucas Hedges) and the two start dating. She helps Luke reconcile with his estranged father before the father dies and lets her parents know how much they mean to her before the film somewhat abruptly ends.
So, my main issue with the film is that Tyler and Emily's biological mother died of a drug overdose and their father's new wife, Catharine (Renee Elise Goldsberry, solid) is the woman who raised them. That was just one of the plot twists this film had to offer. Now, because their biological mother died this way, why would the father just keep his Oxycontin out in the open? That made no sense. And if there is ever a time to snatch keys out of your child's hand, this film was it.
Brilliant performances also grace the film, everyone is superb and Drew Daniels was robbed of an Oscar nomination for cinematography as there are plenty of great transitions and circular motions in this film. The soundtrack is also solid. In short, this is the underrated gem of 2019 to be viewed by all. Grade: A-
Side Notes:
-Condoms are great, when they're used, for the record.
-I don't know I'd be able to get out of bed in the morning given the fact that my brother's a murderer.
-The cat plays a somehow important role in the film.
-Given how these teenagers drive, it's amazing that they don't get into a car accident.
-The pastor's words in the beginning sort of circle around toward the end of the film. Love is stronger than hate. Too bad Tyler fell asleep during the sermon.