In Waves and War

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In Waves and War

Oct 2025

1h 48m

Documentary

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7 Reviews

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

Highly decorated Navy SEAL Marcus Capone returns from Afghanistan and attempts to readjust to civilian life. But years of unprecedented warfare have left Marcus with treatment-defiant PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, and severe depression beyond what current government treatment options can effectively address. Fearing for Marcus' life, his wife, Amber, finds hope in a groundbreaking therapy combining two powerful psychedelics unapproved for use in the U.S., but with seemingly limitless applications.

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Leslie Felperin

Guardian

Since few things are duller than watching someone else having an experience on drugs, the film opts to illustrate the trips with tasteful animation featuring images of our subjects spinning in space, surrounded by the memories that assault their senses.

Rated: 3/5

Oct 29, 2025

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Michael Nordine

Variety

The urge to hear the rest of their story is always stronger than the urge to turn away.

Sep 3, 2024

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Christian Blauvelt

IndieWire

It’s all very meaningful to watch and never less than engaging, even if In Waves and War comes across like a pharmaceutical infomercial at times as much as a film.

Rated: B-

Sep 3, 2024

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John Stark

Mac the Movie Guy

In Waves And War is a documentary about what we can really do to help the men and women who have sacrificed so much for this country.The least we can do is hear them out. Their stories are harrowing and unforgettable.

Rated: 89/100

Nov 16, 2025

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David Parkinson

Radio Times

A considered treatise on PTSD that makes inspired use of animation by the London-based Studio AKA to offer visceral, shape-shifting impressions of each veteran's deepest, darkest inner feelings.

Rated: 3/5

Nov 11, 2025

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Jennifer Green

Common Sense Media

This engrossing documentary raises questions about the military, the forever wars, our care for veterans, and experimental drug therapies.

Rated: 4/5

Nov 11, 2025

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Alexandra D

This film has the ability to change lives. It is heartbreaking and heartwarming. It will leave your eyes wide open with hope and a greater understanding to the real war that lingers. May God watch over every soldier who went to soon.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/11/25

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Jeanette N

An important film in understanding the healing possibilities of psychedelics on trauma.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/10/25

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Omid I.

Incredible film depicting courage in a way mass media doesn’t typically capture. The warrior spirit and brotherhood these men channel in the Teams is ultimately called upon again, when they battle the enemy within.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/08/25

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Alyssa R

Very moving and interesting. I’m a psych nurse and wanted to see the results more in depth. They showed vitals, scanning equipment (CT or MRI), EKG equipment but did not touch on those results. They only mentioned the PTSD symptoms decreased. I wish they explained more in depth what the ibogaine and DMT do to make the PTSD symptoms decrease. Is it affecting dopamine or serotonin? I feel it’s irresponsible to promote this treatment without explaining how it actually works. They had Stanford researchers but barely let them talk in the documentary

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/06/25

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Tara L

Absolutely incredible! This just deepens the fact that the general consensus on drugs is mostly negative when in turn it truly is not. Such a fantastic documentary that shows the sad reality of war but also childhood trauma. Five stars all the way.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/06/25

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Ian E

Regardless of whether you have any lived experience - personal or via your community, family or friends, this is a fascinating, intriguing and enlightening doc on the world of veterans and the dark aftermath of war for them and their families. It's a universal story of national heroes whether you're in the USA, Australia or anywhere in the world and the courage they somehow find from within to fight for their survival, through an unconventional medical treatment. The animation used is very cool and enhances the atmosphere of the film.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/05/25

Full Review

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Bonni Cohen

Director

Jon Shenk

Director

Marcus Capone

Self

Matty Roberts

Self

DJ Shipley

Self

Jessica Anthony

Producer

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Synopsis

Highly decorated Navy SEAL Marcus Capone returns from Afghanistan and attempts to readjust to civilian life. But years of unprecedented warfare have left Marcus with treatment-defiant PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, and severe depression beyond what current government treatment options can effectively address. Fearing for Marcus' life, his wife, Amber, finds hope in a groundbreaking therapy combining two powerful psychedelics unapproved for use in the U.S., but with seemingly limitless applications.

Director: Bonni Cohen, Jon Shenk
Producer: Jessica Anthony, Bonni Cohen, Jon Shenk
Distributor: Participant Media
Production Co: Actual Films, Chicago Media Project, Participant Media
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 3, 2025, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 3, 2025
Runtime: 1h 48m

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