Family movie night? There's an app for that
Download our new mobile app on iOS and Android.
The Wake of Light
By Tara McNamara,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Soulful journey is visual poetry, but story lacks depth.
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Wake of Light
Community Reviews
There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
In THE WAKE OF LIGHT, Mary's (Rome Brooks) life is a routine of caring for her ailing father and selling bottled water to tourists in her quaint town. When she meets a stranger named Cole (Matt Bush) who's making a stop on his cross-country trip, it leads to her own journey of self-discovery.
Is It Any Good?
Only the most artistic of kids will appreciate this film that doesn't fit neatly into any one genre, given that its strength is in its aesthetics. Almost completely shot using natural light, it's a contemplative drama that's beautifully filmed but light on story. In fact, there's not much more to it than summary above. An extraordinary number of the movie's shots are of characters staring at stuff and piano-music montages of people walking around in the golden grass or farmland. At times, it almost feels like The Wake of Light is a music video for pianist Josh Kramer. And, while it's admirable that writer/director Renji Philip wrote two substantial supporting roles for characters with disabilities, non-disabled actor Tyler Steelman's energetic, childlike portrayal of a young man (maybe a teen? maybe older?) with an unspecified developmental disability may leave some viewers cringeing.
Mary and Cole are on opposite paths. She dreams of exploring America but is stuck in her small town because she has to care for her father. Conversely, he's on a cross-country trip to pay homage to his late father -- and, we learn, is dodging an obligation. They spend a flirtatious couple of days together. But those days make an impact on the future of their lives. It's something many adults can relate to: A person enters your life for a short time, even if you're not looking at developing a future with them, they can play a key role in developing your future. This drama takes viewers on a journey, but you've got to have some life experience to appreciate it. And even then, you might not.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how The Wake of Light demonstrates the emotional consequences for a child who must become the caretaker for a parent.
Do you consider this a faith-based film? Why, or why not? Also, the filmmaker describes it as a romance. Would you put it in that genre?
Discuss how The Wake of Light portrays characters with physical and developmental disabilities. Do you think the portrayals were realistic? Is it OK that they were played by non-disabled actors? Why are diversity and representation in the media important?
Movie Details
- In theaters: January 15, 2021
- On DVD or streaming: February 8, 2021
- Cast: Rome Brooks , Matt Bush , William Lige Morton
- Director: Renji Philip
- Studio: AxisPacific Filmworks
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Friendship
- Run time: 80 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: June 20, 2023
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
Movies with Characters Who Have Physical Disabilities
Movies with Characters Who Have Learning and Attention Issues and Developmental Disabilities
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate