Netflix Movies

Netflix will soon release a documentary about three Navy SEALs who are dealing with ongoing psychological suffering following their experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In Waves and War, a highly acclaimed documentary directed by Jon Shenk and Bonnie Cohen that has been touring at festivals for the past year, has been acquired by Netflix and its release date has been set.

In Waves and War chronicles a decorated veteran's battle with severe PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, and depression following his return from Afghanistan. It is based on the incredible true story of Navy SEAL Marcus Capone. His wife, Amber, finds a novel psychedelic therapy that is not authorized in the United States after traditional treatments fail to help him recover. The couple sets out on a new mission to assist other veterans in accessing this life-saving treatment, inspired by Marcus's success and the ongoing crisis of veteran suicide.

The 108-minute documentary tells the heartwarming and inspirational tale of three American heroes who find hope and healing after the trauma of war by fusing personal interviews, engrossing animation, and state-of-the-art research.

In August 2024, the documentary went on a lengthy tour of festivals, including Doc NYC, Annapolis, Doc Edge, and Sebastopol, among others.

Although Netflix has only recently begun promoting the switch, the announcement was made at the DC/DOX 2025 festival in June. "We're getting like 50 e-mails the next day [about] when can I see the film and how can I show it to my family and friends," said Shenk, who also works as the film's cinematographer. Because people want to share it, and we are thrilled to say that Netflix has chosen to carry it. It will be available on the service on November 3rd, which is just before Veterans Day this year.

"It's an emotionally really intense film, and a surprising film," Shenk continued when describing the movie. I believe that people are unsure of what to anticipate. It may seem like a war movie to some. Actually, it isn't. The most unlikely people take you on this amazing, unexpected journey, which is really about people exploring the deepest, most hidden corners of their psychology and emotional lives. I believe that practically everyone who sees this movie can identify with it on a deep level, and viewers aren't moving by the end of the movie.

When the documentary debuted at Telluride in late 2024, it received generally favorable reviews. IndieWire, which rated the documentary a B-, said that it does a fantastic job of handling its subjects, complimented the animation, and described the film as "very meaningful" and "never less than engaging." The only complaint was that it occasionally felt like an infomercial. Variety's Michael Nordine describes the movie as "moving," adding that "the urge to turn away is always stronger than the urge to hear the rest of their story."

With animation by Studio AKA and music by Bryce Dessner, the project is produced by Jessica Anthony, Cohen, and Shenk. Jeffrey Skoll, Diane Weyermann, David Linde, Paula Froehle, Steven Cohen, Shizuka Asakawa, Kent McCleerey, Joseph Schull, Harriet Gugenheim, Blake Mycoskie, Eliza Dushku Palandjian, Peter Palandjian, Rebecca and James Neary, Justine Nagan, Jamis MacNiven, Lovell Foundation, Regina K. Scully, and Geralyn Dreyfous are among the executive producers.

This November, will you watch In Waves and War on Netflix? Tell us in the comments.