Review: Nicolas Cage Rides The Psychological Thriller Wave With ‘The Surfer’

Filmmaker Lorcan Finnegan (“Nocebo”) teams up with Nicolas Cage for the psychological thriller “The Surfer.” The story centers on the titular character (Cage), a man who dreams of buying back his childhood home in Australia. Unfortunately, this insular beach community wants nothing to do with him, and things go south from there. Check out my Video review below for more info on “The Surfer.”

“The Surfer,” running at 103 minutes, refuses to paint a clear picture of its intricate storyline. Does he really want to buy the home, or does he have a bone to pick with Scally (Julian McMahon), the ringleader of the group that want the surfer to leave. Nicholas Cassim, simply dubbed as “The Bum” in the credits, plays a pivotal role and like the surfer, he is bullied by the locals.

Although it may be too surreal and abstract for some viewers, “The Surfer” ultimately worked for me. Director Lorcan Finnegan and screenwriter Thomas Martin weave an often disorienting tale of revenge, trauma, and male toxicity. Check out my review:

Will you be seeing “The Surfer” when it hits theaters May 2nd? Feel free to comment below and share your thoughts on the movie!