Nicolas Cage Shines in Gripping Thriller ‘The Surfer’

LOS ANGELES, CA

Nicolas Cage‘s latest film, The Surfer, premiered on Hulu this week after debuting at the Cannes Film Festival in 2024. The movie follows a man, known only as ‘the Surfer,’ as he attempts to reclaim his childhood home in Luna Bay, Australia, and reconnect with his son amid increasing local hostility.

Desperately seeking $1.7 million to buy the house, the Surfer faces a barrage of aggression from the locals, led by a character named Pitbull, played by Alexander Bertrand. Newly separated from his wife, the Surfer takes his son, portrayed by Finn Little, to the beach where he once surfed with his late father, but is met with harassment instead of warmth.

As the plot unfolds, the Surfer’s situation deteriorates. He endures assaults and ridicule from law enforcement, all while trying to hold on to his dream of the past. His luxurious Lexus eventually disappears, leaving him with only a battered station wagon from a local drifter, known as the Bum, played by Nic Cassim.

With each passing day, the Surfer’s mind unravels. He wanders the parking lot, frustrated and disoriented, questioning his reality and what led him to this moment.

The film presents a psychological twist, showcasing an unreliable protagonist while raising deeper questions about mental health. Viewers are urged to pay close attention to the breadcrumbs throughout the story, hinting at revelations that unfold in the film’s late acts.

The Surfer invites the audience to ponder whether the main character is truly a vagrant or a former wealthy man stuck in a dilemma of his own making. As he faces both physical and mental challenges, the line between reality and illusion blurs, leading to an emotional climax that proves to be a gripping experience.

Fans can now stream The Surfer on Hulu, with Cage delivering a compelling performance that drives the film’s haunting narrative.