The Wave (2008)

The Wave (2008) — Drama / Thriller When popular but unconventional high school teacher Rainer Wenger accepts an assignment to teach autocracy during project week, he launches a controlled classroom experiment to show his students how dictatorship takes hold. What begins as a demonstration of discipline, unity, and pride quickly snowballs: rituals, symbols, strict rules and a shared identity give the group momentum and power, and the students become intoxicated by belonging. As opposition grows and boundaries break down, the experiment spins frighteningly out of control, echoing the mechanics of totalitarianism with escalating intimidation and violence. Watching The Wave is a tense, unsettling experience — part psychological thriller, part moral parable. The film draws you into the classroom dynamic and then forces you to confront how ordinary people can be swept up by groupthink. Expect mounting suspense, uncomfortable sympathy for characters on both sides, and a chilling plausibility that leaves you reflecting on authority, responsibility and how easily democratic values can be eroded.

Actors: Jürgen Vogel, Frederick Lau, Max Riemelt

Director: Dennis Gansel

Runtime: 107 min

Genres: Drama, Thriller

7.4 /10 7.6 /10 7.5 /10