Nicolas Cageis preparing to make a sinister splash with his latest psychological thrillerThe Surfer, which is crashing into theaters on July 27, 2025. Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions released the first trailer and poster for the “sun-beaten terror” (seen below), showing that it’s not just the weather bringing the heat in this sizzling new feature, as Cage plays a father who gets embroiled in a turf war on the beach. According to the movie’s official synopsis, the conflict quickly reaches a boiling point.
“A man returns to the idyllic beach of his childhood to surf with his son. But his desire to hit the waves is thwarted by a group of locals whose mantra is ‘don’t live here, don’t surf here.’ Humiliated and angry, the man is drawn into a conflict that keeps rising in concert with the punishing heat of the summer and pushes him to his breaking point.”
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The Surfer, which Lorcan Finnegan directed from a script by Thomas Martin, soaked up a six-minute standing ovation when it premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. The movie lapped up a positive reception from critics and is currently riding high with an 88% Rotten Tomatoes score. Specifically, critics praised Cage’s “entertaining” performance as the central character. The actor takes the spotlight (or perhaps more aptly, the sunlight) on the poster for the film. He stands in front of a vehicle that is spray-painted with the message, “locals only,” and is suited up in a wetsuit, looking slightly puzzled with his board under his arm.
Cage is joined in the cast by Julian McMahon (Fantastic Four), Nicholas Cassim (Mr Inbetween), Miranda Tapsell (The Sapphires), Alexander Bertrand (American Gangster), and Justin Rosniak (War Machine).
The Cage Craze Is Showing No Signs of Slowing Down
Cage hasreclaimed his legacy in recent yearsby showcasing his range as an actor, particularly in the horror genre, headlining the likes ofMandyandColor Out of Space. Last year, he starred in three more fear-inducing features:Longlegs, which becamethe highest-grossing indie horror filmof the past decade;Arcadian, a slightly more audience-dividing release thatfound a second life on streaming; andThe Surfer, arriving in theaters this May.
It’s safe to say that the Oscar-winning actor is currently experiencing a career resurgence that puts him in incredibly high demand, and he is signing on to more and more projects because of it. Fans of his work will soon see him take on the role of legendary football coach John Madden in a new film directed by David O. Russell. Cage is also reprising his role as Yuri Orlov in a sequel to 2005’sLord of War, and will master his woodworking skills inThe Carpenter’s Son— but not until he has made significant waves withThe Surfer.
The Surfer
