Directed by Lorcan Finnegan, The Surfer (2024), streaming on Lionsgate Play, is positioned as a psychological thriller featuring Nicolas Cage in the central role, alongside Julian McMahon. While the film presents itself as unconventional and tension-driven, its execution leaves much to be desired. Despite moments of intrigue, the narrative struggles under the weight of an implausible premise, uneven pacing, and a climax that undermines everything built before it.
Story
At its core, the film follows a man returning to a beach with his son, intending to enjoy a surfing trip while pursuing the purchase of a nearby property tied to his family history. However, what should be a heartfelt and straightforward story quickly transforms into a convoluted tale of harassment and mental collapse.
A group of local aggressors begins bullying him, escalating their cruelty to absurd levels. Instead of heightening suspense, these conflicts feel exaggerated to the point of disbelief. The protagonist’s torment stretches into relentless humiliation, eventually making him doubt his own reality. What begins as promising psychological tension becomes repetitive, losing both credibility and emotional impact.
Performances
Nicolas Cage, often known for his magnetic and unpredictable performances, struggles within the confines of this poorly written character. Watching his character deteriorate so quickly, reduced to begging for basic needs within a single day, feels less like a descent into madness and more like a caricature.
Julian McMahon brings some presence but fails to elevate the material. Supporting actors, including Nic Cassim, Miranda Tapsell, Justin Rosniak, and Alexander Bertrand, make limited impressions due to the underdeveloped script.
Behind the scenes
On the technical front, François Tétaz’s soundtrack adds little to the building of suspense, leaving dramatic moments flat. Cinematographer Radek Ładczuk manages to capture some striking visuals, but even strong imagery cannot disguise the story’s weaknesses.
Tony Cranstoun’s editing, particularly in the latter half, drags the pacing down further, with repetitive scenes and abrupt shifts that disrupt the film’s flow.
Final Verdict
The main flaw lies in the screenplay. The narrative expects the audience to believe that a man in a public space—surrounded by people, including authority figures—could be completely powerless. The scenario might have worked in an isolated setting, but here it feels forced and unnatural. Matters worsen when the plot reveals that the entire ordeal was nothing more than an elaborate “test.” This revelation is both unconvincing and unsatisfying, leaving the viewer with more frustration than intrigue.
Ultimately, the problem lies not in the direction but in Thomas Martin’s writing, which lacks coherence and depth. Lorcan Finnegan tries to inject visual style and tension, but the shallow material gives him little to work with. The Surfer (2024) could have been a gripping psychological thriller, but instead, it becomes a frustrating experience—tiring, repetitive, and logically unconvincing.
The Surfer is occasionally intense but fails to sustain suspense, leaving viewers unsatisfied. Despite Nicolas Cage’s star power, this movie is let down by weak storytelling, making it one of the actor’s less memorable projects in recent years.
