The Wave

2008 • Drama, Thriller

A school teacher discusses types of government with his class. His students find it too boring to repeatedly go over national socialism and believe that dictatorship cannot be established in modern Germany. He starts an experiment to show how easily the masses can become manipulated.

Runtime: 1h 47m

Discover the gripping tale of 'The Wave' by Todd Strasser, a novel that delves deep into the psychological underpinnings of social influence and conformity. Unlike the cinematic adaptation, the book offers a much richer exploration of the characters' internal struggles, providing readers with an intimate look at the motivations driving their actions. Based on a real-life classroom experiment, Strasser's novel masterfully captures the essence of how easily and dangerously a movement can spiral out of control. Reading 'The Wave' allows you to immerse yourself in the subtleties of this transformation and the chilling realization that such scenarios are not confined to fiction. By choosing to read the book, you'll gain a comprehensive understanding of the themes that the film only briefly touches upon. The novel invites introspection and offers a detailed analysis of the mechanisms behind authoritarian regimes, making it a must-read for those intrigued by the psychology of group behavior.