The Surfer – Film Review
Reviewed by Harris Dang on the 14 May 2025
Madman presents a film by Lorcan Finnegan
Written by Thomas Martin
Produced by Leonora Darby, James Harris, Robert Connolly, James Grandison, Brunella Cocchiglia, Nicolas Cage, and Nathan Klingher
Starring Nicolas Cage, Julian McMahon, Nic Cassim, Miranda Tapsell, Alexander Bertrand, and Justin Rosniak
Cinematography Radek Ładczuk
Edited by Tony Cranstoun
Music by François Tétaz
Rating: MA15+
Running Time: 103 minutes
Release Date: the 15th of May 2025 (and streaming exclusively on Stan from 15 June 2025).
The Surfer tells the story of the unnamed titular character (Nicolas Cage). He is a down-on-his-luck office worker who has returned to his hometown in Australia to repurchase his childhood home for his family. The house is close to an Australian beach where the surfer spent his teenage years. He now wants to share a bonding experience with his teenage son (Finn Little). The relationship between the two is estranged. The surfer thinks that closing the deal on the purchase of the house will mend his relationship with his son as well as his wife.
But things escalate when the surfer learns the beach is populated by surfer locals. The gang is led by Scally (Julian McMahon), a guru who patrols the beach to keep out outsiders, i.e. non-locals. The conflict between the Surfer and Scally becomes an ugly journey of humiliation, degradation, and illumination for the titular character as he suffers more than he could ever imagine.
The Surfer is the latest film from Irish filmmaker Lorcan Finnegan, who is best known for surrealistic genre films, such as the suburban nightmare flick Vivarium (2019) and the psychological thriller Nocebo (2022). Both films well received by critics and audiences for their striking visuals, high concepts, and bizarre narratives. With his latest film, The Surfer, Finnegan shifts from crippling suburbia to cultural exploitation and now gentrification via toxic masculinity. With a towering Nicolas Cage breaking the wave, The Surfer is Finnegan’s best film to date.
The ideas and themes are portrayed in a strikingly haunting and morbidly funny fashion. Utilising the use of the Australian weather, disorienting editing, and off-kilter camera angles that bury deep into the mindset of the characters (the split diopter shots, the shoulder-mounted POV shots, and the static wide shots), The Surfer’s production values are stellar across the board. The visual flair is thanks to regular Finnegan collaborators like cinematographer Radek Ładczuk and editor Tony Cranstoun, as well as newcomer Emma Fletcher, who is an Australian production designer. Their efforts lend The Surfer a grungy, down-and-dirty yet mystical and alluringly mythical vibe that makes it understandable as to why the titular character is drawn to a reprehensible place for outsiders.
That is not to say that the film boils down to pure dread. Finnegan and screenwriter Thomas Martin delve into dark humour that makes fun of the situation through its larrakin [sic] characters and the privilege of the American counterparts. The existence of self-involved ignorance is milked for laughs (the easy-going Aussie demeanour stretches to breaking point so that it becomes psychotic). Meanwhile, the desperation of said characters, including the use of a dead rat, is hilariously grave, and certain horror tropes are subverted to the point of being amusing. Cage’s mindset comes into question so that when the narrative encounters a horror trope it is thankfully turned on its head.
It helps that The Surfer is played by Nicolas Cage. His presence alone guarantees that the film explores the deep recesses of humanity and beyond. The humiliation that Cage undertakes is impressive and his befuddlement of his surroundings and interactions with the locals provide plenty of unnerving laughs and tension. The supporting cast of colourful characters all offer fantastic support that makes the journey weird, wonderful, and winning. Julian McMahon leads the pack with his eerily inviting and menacing aura. The Surfer’s only true fault is that its conclusion is surprisingly underwhelming compared to what preceded it. While the story ties its threads and themes together neatly, it lacks the true impact and intrigue that stays with the viewer after it ends.
Overall, The Surfer is sure to delight. It is an enjoyably hypnotic and morbidly funny descent into madness that provides another opportunity for Nicolas Cage to showcase his singular talents.
Summary: The Surfer is sure to delight. It is an enjoyably hypnotic and morbidly funny descent into madness that provides another opportunity for Nicolas Cage to showcase his singular talents.
4
Strong
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