Overview

• Directed by Lorcan Finnegan, 'The Surfer' premiered at SXSW 2025 and is set for a theatrical release on May 2.
• Nicolas Cage plays a father who faces escalating psychological and physical torment after returning to his childhood surf spot with his son.
• The film blends dark comedy, psychedelic visuals, and a critique of toxic masculinity through its depiction of a local surfer gang led by Julian McMahon's character, Scally.
• Cage's performance evolves from restrained to feral, embodying a man unraveling under the weight of external pressures and internal struggles.
• Critics have praised the film's unique aesthetic, thematic depth, and Cage's committed performance, though some found the ending overly prolonged.