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The Surfer

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The Surfer

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Summary

A father returns to Australia to buy his childhood home. To celebrate, he takes his teenage son to Luna Bay so they can surf together. However, he becomes locked in a battle of one-upmanship with local thugs. Thriller, starring Nicolas Cage and Julian McMahon

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IMDB

Review

A star rating of 4 out of 5.

Jayne Nelson

Nicolas Cage delivers a typically manic - yet affecting - performance in this surreal dark comedy. He plays an unnamed businessman about to buy his dream home overlooking the idyllic Australian beach he loved as a child. But then, bizarrely, a gang of surfing bullies won't allow him access to the sea. Led by Julian McMahon's guru-figure Scally, they behave like the kids in Lord of the Flies: violent, unyielding and just plain rude. The Surfer's world unravels as repeated attempts to hop on his board are met by insults, mind games and fists - but his determination remains. Director Lorcan Finnegan took claustrophobia to another level in 2020's Vivarium, about a couple trapped in a house. The same concept is handled exquisitely here, with Cage's character isolated inside the beach's menacing car park. The screeching, wildlife-filled soundtrack, over-saturated colours and sweaty heat-shimmers perfectly complement his mental decline. It's a hard watch at times, but Cage is magnificent - and the laughs, while uncomfortable, are plentiful.

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5.9/10

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Credits

Cast

rolenameThe SurferNicolas CageScallyJulian McMahonThe BumNic CassimThe PhotographerMiranda TapsellPitbullAlexander BertrandThe CopJustin RosniakThe KidFinn LittleThe Estate AgentRahel Romahn

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Crew

rolenameDirectorLorcan Finnegan

Details

Theatrical distributor

Vertigo

Released on

2025-05-09

Languages

English | French

Guidance

Violence, swearing, sexual references, drug abuse

Formats

Colour

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