Rent The Surfer (2024)

Riding the Existential Riptide - The Surfer review by griggs

Nicolas Cage continues his eccentric renaissance with The Surfer, a sun-scorched character study set on the jagged edge of Australia's coastline. Following in the footsteps of Mandy and Longlegs, Cage once again dives headfirst into the deep end—this time emerging with a performance that's both intense and oddly meditative. It's not flawless, but it's certainly never dull.

The film explores a man in crisis, and while its plotting occasionally dips into the murky waters of half-baked subplots and loose ends, there's still something captivating in its sun-drenched drift. What could have been a straightforward descent into midlife madness becomes a hazy fever dream—disjointed, yes, but occasionally electric.

Unsurprisingly, Cage is magnetic. Even when the material wobbles, his presence steadies the board. His performance is more subdued than expected, but it fits the film's existential funk. The supporting cast fares less well, with some chemistry-free scenes that stop the emotional tide in its tracks.

The Australian setting, while perhaps financially motivated, lends a strange, dreamy dislocation that, whether intentional or not, adds to the film's fractured identity. It's a story about a man adrift, and the scenery plays its part.

Director Lorcan Finnegan (Vivarium) doesn't always stick the landing. The pacing meanders, and some moments feel padded rather than profound. But there's a consistent visual elegance, and a few surreal flourishes that suggest a stronger film flickering beneath the surface.

Ultimately, The Surfer is a future cult midnight-movie with enough salt and sting to merit attention. Fans of Cage's more adventurous work will find a lot to chew on. It's not the wave he's going to ride to another Oscar nod—but it's one worth watching.