The Last Wave (1977): cast, story & where to watch
1977 · Film · ★ 6.8
Released in 1977, The Last Wave is a thriller, drama and mystery film directed by Peter Weir, running about 106 minutes. “Hasn't the weather been strange...could it be a warning?” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. Australian lawyer David Burton agrees with reluctance to defend a group of Aboriginal people charged with murdering one of their own. He suspects the victim was targeted for violating a tribal taboo, but the defendants deny any tribal association. Burton, plagued by apocalyptic visions of water, slowly realizes danger may come from his own involvement with the Aboriginal people and their prophecies.
Who’s in it. The Last Wave stars Richard Chamberlain as David Burton, Olivia Hamnett as Annie Burton, David Gulpilil as Chris Lee and Frederick Parslow as Rev. Burton, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.8/10, The Last Wave has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response. It went on to earn $1.3M at the box office.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on HBO Max Amazon Channel, YouTube TV, Criterion Channel and HBO Max and rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Last Wave page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Last Wave tend to enjoy The Dark Knight, Pulp Fiction, Parasite and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Last Wave (1977)?
- In US, The Last Wave is available to stream on HBO Max Amazon Channel, YouTube TV and Criterion Channel, and rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is The Last Wave worth watching?
- The Last Wave holds an audience score of 6.8 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy thriller, drama and mystery. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Last Wave?
- The Last Wave stars Richard Chamberlain, Olivia Hamnett, David Gulpilil, Frederick Parslow and Vivean Gray.
- When was The Last Wave released?
- The Last Wave was released in 1977, with a runtime of about 106 minutes.