Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- paranoid
- oppressive
- volatile
- late night thriller viewing
- nicolas cage marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film to be a daring, demented psychological thriller powered by Nicolas Cage’s committed performance, though some found its premise frustrating or uneven.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The protagonist is denied access to an idyllic beach by affluent local surfers, transforming a family outing into a conflict over belonging and status.
The picturesque Australian cove contrasts sharply with gang intimidation, humiliation, and the protagonist’s worsening isolation.
Nicolas Cage plays the unnamed surfer’s breakdown with the volatile, unconventional energy associated with his bold genre performances.
After being confronted by local youths, the protagonist repeatedly remains entangled in the conflict as threats and indignities intensify.
Films like The Surfer, and why
The Lighthouse
shared psychological thriller structure, escalating humiliation, and unstable protagonist
Calibre
shared sunlit coastal setting, social menace, and descent into paranoia
Mandy
shared offbeat thriller tone, extreme lead performance, and escalating personal crisis
Movie Details
- Director
- Lorcan Finnegan
- Release Date
- 2025-04-11
- Runtime
- 100 min
- Rating
- 5.7 / 10 (385)
Cast
- Nicolas Cage
- Julian McMahon
- Justin Rosniak
- Alexander Bertrand
- Rahel Romahn
- Nicholas Cassim
- Finn Little
- Charlotte Maggi
- Nina Young
- James Bingham
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Hulu
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Plex
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Surfer about?
- An aspiring family outing at an Australian surf cove mutates into a feverish battle for dignity against hostile locals.
- What is The Surfer like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Surfer as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Surfer violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in The Surfer as moderate.
- What did critics think of The Surfer?
- Critics broadly found the film to be a daring, demented psychological thriller powered by Nicolas Cage’s committed performance, though some found its premise frustrating or uneven.
- Which films are like The Surfer?
- Films with a similar feel include The Lighthouse, Calibre, and Mandy.
- How long is The Surfer?
- The Surfer runs 100 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Surfer?
- In United States, The Surfer streams on Hulu.
