Waves: Trey Edward Shults casts Lucas Hedges, Sterling K. Brown

The film stars Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Tyler, and Taylor Russell as his sister Emily – they share the film between two halves. Opposite them are Euphoria queen Alexa Demie and the world's favourite sad boy, Lucas Hedges.

At film festivals over autumn, early reactions dubbed Waves as a divisive but deeply affecting film – some adored its sweeping emotion and intense high-stakes. There's also an astonishing jukebox soundtrack, featuring Frank Ocean, Tyler the Creator, Radiohead, Animal Collective, Glen Miller and so much more.

Following in the footsteps of Blue Valentine and Magnolia in terms of the levels of feeling, Waves also capitalises on Shults' strength to create anxious, engrossing films. This might only be his third feature, but it's already an incredible testimony to his ambition as a director.

If A24 can be trusted for anything, it's to capture the hearts of young people – but Waves also stars Sterling K. Brown as a strict father who cares about his children deeply. Like Lady Bird and Room, the film finds strength in the pain of family ties.

It's a lot to take in – get ready for the emotion to wash over you when Waves hits UK cinemas on 17 January 2020.