The Surfer: Plot, Cast, plus Reviews Suggest Cage’s Most Intense Role Yet
- Damian Ali
- Apr 29
- 3 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
A heatwave, a surf war, and a dad on the edge; Nicolas Cage is back and "unhinged" with a new psychological thriller that's already turning heads.
Nicolas Cage in The Surfer (2025) Courtesy of Roadside Attractions
In The Surfer, Cage stars as a man who returns to the beach of his childhood hoping to reconnect with his son, only to be met by a hostile local surf crew. What starts as an awkward encounter quickly spirals into a tense and dangerous conflict, fueled by the blazing heat of the Australian coast.
Directed by Lorcan Finnegan (Vivarium, Nocebo), the film leans into surf culture and psychological suspense, giving Cage a role that's even wilder and more unpredictable than what we've seen from him lately. The Surfer hits U.S. theaters on May 2, distributed by Roadside Attractions and Lionsgate.
99 minutes long, The Surfer isn't your average beach movie. Cage plays a father (The Surfer) who becomes more and more unglued as he tries to stand his ground against a group of territorial surfers, whose motto is "Don't live here, don't surf here." Julian McMahon plays Scally, the rough leader of the surf gang, while Finn Little stars as Cage's son. Miranda Tapsell, Nic Cassim, Alexander Bertrand, and Justin Rosniak round out the cast.
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(L to R) Julian McMahon and Justin Rosniak in The Surfer (2025): Courtesy of Roadside Attractions
What's making people talk about this film isn't just the performances; it's what has been described as raw tension running through every scene. Shot on the beaches of Western Australia, the movie builds a sweaty, paranoid vibe where every small moment feels like it could explode. While some have referred to The Surfer as a B-movie in spirit, Cage's raw intensity brings a strange kind of gravity that few actors could match.
With the success of Woody Harrelson’s Last Breath and other films proving there’s room for both the simple bag of popcorn and souvenir bucket, Cage has carved out a rare space for himself as a Hollywood heavyweight who champions unpredictable, character-driven stories. It’s part of why so many of his projects build a loyal cult following.
Early reviews suggest this could go down as one of Cage's most unforgettable performances, a mix of restraint and full-blown chaos that only he can pull off. Critics have taken notice, too. The Guardian wrote that "Cage rises brilliantly to the challenge," while the San Francisco Chronicle said: “An unhinged Nic Cage is the best Nic Cage.”
Watch this trailer for The Surfer, with Cage looking crazier than ever.
This film earned Nicolas Cage a 6-minute standing ovation, at the Cannes screening, one of the longest of the night, putting even more momentum behind the movie. It also picked up buzz at SXSW and the Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival, where it received an honorable mention.
For fans who like their movies a little rough around the edges, and a lot unpredictable, The Surfer might be the intense ride you're looking for.
Want to catch The Surfer on the big screen? You can find local showtimes easily by visiting the film's official website.
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