Picture: DC/DOX
Netflix has acquired and set the release date for In Waves and War, a well-reviewed documentary that’s been on the festival circuit over the past year from directors Jon Shenk and Bonnie Cohen.
Inspired by the remarkable true story of Navy SEAL Marcus Capone, In Waves and War follows a decorated veteran’s struggle with severe PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, and depression after returning home from Afghanistan. As conventional treatments fail him, his wife, Amber, discovers a groundbreaking psychedelic therapy unapproved in the U.S. that leads to his incredible recovery. Motivated by Marcus’s success and the ongoing veteran suicide crisis, the couple embarks on a new mission to help other veterans access this life-saving treatment.
The documentary, which runs for 108 minutes, weaves together intimate interviews, captivating animation, and cutting-edge research to tell an emotional and inspiring story of three American heroes finding hope and healing after the trauma of war.
As mentioned, the doc has been on a long festival circuit in August 2024 before eventually moving onto festivals like Doc NYC, Annapolis, Doc Edge, and Sebastopol, among others.
The move to Netflix was announced at the DC/DOX 2025 festival in June, although it has only just now started being promoted by Netflix. Shenk, who also serves as cinematographer on the film, said, “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? Because people want to share it and we’re so happy to announce that Netflix has picked it up and it’s going to be on the service on November 3rd, just before Veterans Day of this year.”
Describing the film, Shenk added, “It’s an emotionally really intense film, and a surprising film. I think people don’t quite know what to expect. Some might think it’s a war film. It’s really not. It’s really a film about people exploring the deeper most recesses of their psychology and their emotional life and it’s the most unlikely people taking you on this incredible, surprising journey. I think that almost any human being that watches this film can relate to it on a pretty deep level and audiences are getting to the end of the film and they’re not moving.”
The documentary first premiered at Telluride in late 2024 and picked up a smattering of positive reviews across the board. IndieWire, which gave the doc a B- rating, concluded that the film handles its subjects superbly while also praising the animation and dubs the film “very meaningful” and “never less than engaging,” with the only criticism that it does at times feel like a bit of an infomercial. Michael Nordine for Variety calls the film “moving”, concluding, “The urge to hear the rest of their story is always stronger than the urge to turn away.”
Picture: DC/DOX
Jessica Anthony, Cohen, and Shenk are producers on the project with music by Bryce Dessner and animation by Studio AKA. Executive producers include Jeff Skoll, Diane Weyermann, David Linde, Paula Froehle, Steven Cohen, Shizuka Asakawa, Kent McCleerey, Joseph Schull, Harriet Gugenheim, Blake Mycoskie, Eliza Dushku Palandjian, Peter Palandjian, James and Rebecca Neary, Justine Nagan, Jamis MacNiven, Lovell Foundation, Regina K. Scully, and Geralyn Dreyfous.
Are you going to check out In Waves and War on Netflix this November? Let us know in the comments.