THE SURFER movie poster | ©2025 Lionsgate/Roadside Attractions

Rating: R
Stars: Nicolas Cage, Julian McMahon, Finn Little, Rahel Romahn, Nic Cassim, Alexander Bertrand, Rory O’Keefe, Justin Rosniak, Miranda Tapsell, Brenda Meaney, Patsy Knapp
Writer: Thomas Martin
Director: Lorcan Finnegan
Distributor: Lionsgate/Roadside Attractions
Release Date: May 2, 2025

Every film deserves to be evaluated on its own merits. However, with certain filmmakers, and those actors who have enough clout to choose and shape their own projects, it’s hard not to have certain expectations.

This is the case with films starring Nicolas Cage. Cage appears in a lot of movies that encompass multiple genres, playing characters who are miserable and/or explosive.

In other words, those familiar with Cage’s career will have some idea going in of the possible tone and the trippiness of THE SURFER.

Cage’s character, whose name we never hear (the credits refer to him as “The Surfer”), brings his teenage son (Finn Little) to Luna Bay, Australia. It’s an idyllic beach for surfing. The Surfer grew up here until he was fifteen, when his mom took him to California (hence the American accent).

The Surfer wants nothing more than to purchase his old family home on the cliffside, despite its considerable expense, and is trying to put together the cash that will allow this. His dream is that he, his estranged wife (voiced by Brenda Meaney, played onscreen by Patsy Knapp) and son will all live there, even though the father/child relationship is awkward, and the marital one even worse.

The Surfer hopes that a good session of surfing will result in some bonding with his son, but even here, he is met with challenges. Luna Beach has become “locals only,” and the current locals, who are led by self-styled guru Scally (Julian McMahon), don’t tolerate outsiders, even ones who were born here. Also key to events is a quasi-homeless man (Nic Cassim) who blames Scally for the death of his son and his dog.

After the initial throwdown, we’re not sure what’s going to happen. For quite a while, we’re also not sure what’s happening – see the above-mentioned trippiness.

It is fair to say that Thomas Martin’s screenplay packs a goodly amount of unforeseeable twists, at the same time that it proceeds with a certain kind of internal logic. By the end, we feel that we’ve been treated fairly, even though on the way there, we may change our minds a few times about exactly what we’re watching.

Although THE SURFER is set in the present, director Lorcan Finnegan goes for a ‘70s vibe in look and in style, starting with the opening credits. The ocean is always shimmering and beckoning, no matter what’s occurring on shore. We are likewise provided with some wonderful footage of Australia’s unique wildlife, with animals and birds going about their business no matter what the crazy humans are doing.

Finnegan is also adept at chronicling the minutiae of humiliating interactions and their after-effects.

In this, Finnegan receives expert partnering from Cage, who dives into the Surfer’s pain, desperation and astonishment with full force. He gives us deterioration warring with determination, and we can’t predict which will prevail.

McMahon is perfect as a charismatic bully who peddles his sadism as assistance. Cassim has quiet impact, and Miranda Tapsell contributes a welcome shot of sanity.

It’s hard to discuss what THE SURFER is doing without getting into spoiler territory. By the time it’s over, many ‘70s films of similar spirit will have come to mind. It’s up to the individual viewer to decide where this movie fits in the pantheon.

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