The Waves of Madness is an innovative horror film that showcases its entire film in a side-scrolling fashion. Being the first known film to ever be a side-scrolling feature by design, it plays out almost like an arcade cut-scene waiting for the player to “Insert Coin” to start to play. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, as I can remember being addicted to watching those cutscenes play out and watching the action take place —- unsure if I was gonna actually take on the joystick myself. 

 

Now I do identify that is an odd way to praise a feature film, but it’s the first thing that came to mind while experiencing it. The character work is very arcade inspired, one-dimensional, apart from our lead who has a slight advantage in having a bit of flashbacks providing backstory. It's not a film that will make you invest into these characters and their survival when a mysterious outbreak takes over a cruise ship, but it’s in its filmmaking gimmick that will keep you on board. 

 

Similar to the likes of Hardcore Henry which was one of the first films to be widely released in the style of a first person shooter (FPS) video game, The Waves of Madness decides to be a wild side-scrolling arcade game by design. Where the characters don’t shine as anything more than a lead and fellow NPCs on a mission to survive before the quarters run out, the performances fully immerse the viewer into the identity of this being such a game put to film. Jason Trost and Tally Wickham have an almost Leon Kennedy and Ashley connection out of Resident Evil 4, although Wickham’s Francis is much more confident than Ashley in any way in RE4. 

 

Trost is a certified badass, bringing along a certain Snake Plisskin attitude to the role of Agent Legrasse (and that’s not just because of the eye patch). Francis and Legasse’s relationship is mainly established through flashbacks with a mysterious figure briefing the agent after the events of the cruise, so one can hope this connection can be expanded upon in the hinted at sequel. 

 

The Waves of Madness is an entertaining horror-adventure with a wildly creative filmmaking decision to have it appear as a side-scroller. While this decision brings back memories of going to the arcade surrounded by cutscenes waiting for a quarter to be inserted, the horror aspect could’ve been heightened and better elaborated on beyond hints of a cult undertaking. Characters could be broader in the sequel, but this aspect also carries with it a large bit of the charm from it being reminiscent of a side-scroller we all grew up — but with a twist. Immersive yourself into the experience and you’ll have one Hell of a time, because The Waves of Madness is a first of its kind.