In Waves and War Netflix documentary:
If you’re looking for a documentary that sneaks up on you emotionally and doesn’t let go, In Waves and War is it. Directed by Bonni Cohen and Jon Shenk, this film follows former U.S. Navy SEALs grappling with post-combat trauma as they embark on a radical path toward healing—one that takes them far away from the front lines but deep into their own inner wars. It’s now streaming on Netflix.
What the film is about
At its core, In Waves and War introduces us to three decorated Navy SEALs who’ve returned home from service in Iraq and Afghanistan — and found that the battlefield didn’t stop when they came back. Their wounds are mostly invisible: treatment-resistant PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, and severe depression. When conventional therapies fail them, they journey to Mexico for psychedelic-assisted therapy using ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT.
The film mixes candid interviews, observational footage, and striking animation to depict not just the “what” of their experiences—but the “how it feels.”
What works
Emotional honesty and vulnerability: The men interviewed don’t hold back. Their openness about what they’ve been through – the trauma, the silence, the desperation – gives the film real gravity. The urge to hear their stories is always stronger than the urge to turn away.
Visual storytelling: The use of animation to depict internal experiences — the fragmented memories, the swirling emotional states — is one of the film’s most refreshing choices. It doesn’t just show interviews; it helps you feel what they’re describing.
Reframing “war”: While the title hints at combat, the film is less about firefights and more about aftermaths. It uses “waves” and “war” as metaphors: war in the field, and waves of trauma on the return. That reframing is powerful.
Hope not just despair: For all its heaviness, the film carries a hopeful thread. The therapy path they take is controversial, yes—but the film allows glimpses of recovery, light, and possibility. That makes it more than just a downer.
What doesn’t quite land
Leaning toward advocacy: At times, the film feels a bit like a pitch for psychedelic therapy, focusing more on the success stories than on balanced perspectives or long-term risks.
Not enough science: The film doesn’t dig deeply into the research behind these therapies, leaving questions about safety and regulation largely unexplored.
Emotional intensity: This isn’t an easy watch. Some scenes hit hard, especially for viewers with their own experiences of trauma.
Final thoughts
In Waves and War isn’t your typical military documentary. There are no battle scenes in the traditional sense, but the emotional warfare is just as gripping. It’s a quiet, haunting, and deeply human exploration of what it means to survive — and to heal.
