Chosen 2

In this intense and unsettling film, a young man grapples with the legacy of his father's cult and the dark spiritual forces that may have guided him. As he navigates his grief and potential inheritance, he finds himself drawn into a mysterious and dangerous world. Haunted by his past and the disturbing events surrounding his father's death, he must confront disturbing truths about his family and the nature of belief itself. The narrative unfolds with a dreamlike, often nightmarish quality, blurring the lines between reality, delusion, and supernatural influence. His journey is one of profound psychological and spiritual turmoil.

Waves (2019), also known as 'The Surface' or 'Cuz' in some regions, and sometimes mistakenly referred to as 'Chosen 2' due to its thematic connections to Shults's previous work 'Krisha' (often considered 'part one' of a thematic trilogy), received a mixed to positive reception. Critics praised director Trey Edward Shults's distinctive visual style and ambitious storytelling, as well as the performances from its lead actors. However, some found the film's pacing and narrative structure to be challenging, leading to polarized opinions regarding its overall effectiveness and coherence.

• Praised for its bold, artistic vision and raw emotional performances.
• Noted for its challenging, non-linear narrative that can be both captivating and alienating.
• The film's exploration of trauma, faith, and family is deeply unsettling and thought-provoking.

Google audience: Audiences generally appreciated the film's unique and artistic approach, with many highlighting the strong performances. However, some viewers found the unconventional storytelling and ambiguous plot difficult to follow, leading to a split in opinion.

Nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival.

The film is often considered the second part of a loose thematic trilogy by director Trey Edward Shults, following 'Krisha' (2015) and preceding 'Red White and Water' (2021), exploring themes of family trauma and addiction.