The Surfer

This movie definitely doesn't deserve the hate it gets in the comments and the rating.

Presented in an oversaturated orange look this is the story of a man who wants to find his peace, the peace he once had that was taken from him. A peace he wants to return to at all costs... And that cost is portrayed in the film through the backstory and the events you'll see.

This is a movie you'll probably have to see multiple times to understand all the symbolism and hidden messages in it.

To me it felt like I was watching the Nic Cage fever dream version of Falling Down.
Don't go into this film expecting some kind of John Wick like they portrayed in the teaser. Don't go into this film as "just another Nic Cage movie"... Go into it, ride the wave, feel the break... and don't drown or hit the rocks while you try to stay afloat.

There's a lot in this movie (I think). You just need to see it... Also stick to the end of the credits for some extra info (not a post credit scene though).

'The Surfer' has really just one thing to say about it: if ever a movie was made for Nicolas Cage! I got great entertainment from this one, the main man himself is terrific all the way through but, in fairness, is joined by a very ably performing supporting cast.

I can sometimes get more annoyed than anything else when films use yobs as antagonists, but this flick shows the way to utilise those sorta characters because here they are the (relatively) believable but also clearly just there to mess with the protagonist; their actors do good.

Cage is obviously the star, but I did enjoy watching Nic Cassim (the best away from the lead) and Julian McMahon. As expected given its a psychological thriller, the plot does indeed go heavy in both of those things. It does meander a bit much in the middle, but it's ultimately worth it.

The score is excellent, that and most other elements to this make it clear that a lot of thought and attention to detail has gone into making this. It's a nice looking film, for sure. That means little if the story isn't engaging though, which thankfully it most definitely is here.

I am conflicted about this film. It's a hard movie to review because it's hard to understand ,which is obviously deliberate. The first act sets the stage of external conflict that begs for some kind of justice layered with an internal conflict that we get small hints at and because it's only a whisper we don't know how resolution can be achieved. On it's face it's about getting his life back together despite some obvious setbacks with his family life. The goal is to return to some idyllic life that may or may not have existed and the purchase of his family home seems to suggest that will solve the answer. Despite the clear goal, misfortune after misfortune seemingly whittle away his opportunity to escape the parking lot, stuck in limbo trying to move forward but being re-focused back on the Bay Boys, their leader and his cult. We are introduced to the Bum and his tragedy and see echos of a similar struggle. The string of unlucky events and his reaction seem almost satirically ridiculous. The cruelty around him is met not with rationality but some unwillingness to move on, to endure it, to understand his victim hood and move forward. He seems to be looking for someone else to solve his problem. From the cop, to the banker, to the coffee stand worker. Sure he's a victim, but he's willingly participating. This is where we begin to see signs that he is possibly having some mental breakdown, and for me is where I almost gave up watching.
Act two is where it starts to be clear that all is not as it seems. Starting gradually he has now taken over the roll of the Bum. Everyone else sees him and responds to the new role. Was he the bum the entire time? Is he going mad? The dislocation is both sad and frustrating. He is on the brink of giving into his despair. His reunion with the photographer snaps him back to hope that he isn't crazy. That this was in fact a fever dream of sorts. That is until he makes the call to the banker. News that his loan is rejected ends his supposed goal that will finally make all right with the world.
Act three starts off with his renewed determination to go out with a bang and at least go surfing now that there is nothing left to lose. After proving he can fight, the Cult accepts him and says the ordeal was all gaslighting and a test. To strip him of everything, to reduce him to pure desire, to prove he was worthy. There's another fever dream event where he seems to be initiated and accepted. In a sudden reversal, all his dreams are about to come true. There is but one final test. To destroy the last remnant of the Bum, burn the car. As he protests that that's all the Bum has left they convince him it's worth it to get what he wants and as he lights the match his son appears. Despite knowing his son disapproves, the cult justifies it and convinces him that "this is your moment, you earned it" The Bum returns with a gun. It escalates with threats of violence until the only remaining characters are the bum, cage and son, and cult leader. Cage defuses the situation by giving the Bum's dead son's trophy necklace in return for letting him and his son go surf, as that was his real goal the whole time. As they make their way thru the waves he turns back and watches the Bum shoot the cult leader and then finally himself. The scene mixes with a falshback to when he found his own dad's body on the beach and ends with him turning to face a big oncoming wave.
The ending leaves room for interpretation as to what was real, fantasy, or a mix of both. This style of psycho drama has been played before many times and is well done here. Whatever your interpretation it was well acted. A role made for Cage who is hard to tell when he's acting or not. The supporting actors do a good job as well. The photography helps add to the setting by using distortion lenses, effects, and a color pallet that seems dreamlike or over saturated during the cult initiation scene The sound track is solid. The pacing feels slow early on, like we're stuck, but looking back, it adds to the entire experience. It's tediously slow during the times when want a quick resolution adding to the frustration. There are only 3 locations for the filming, the parking lot and the beach, and the path leading to each other. This further gives a feeling of being trapped or stuck.
All in all I can't say I enjoyed it but I certainly appreciated it. It didn't leave me feeling good or satisfied, but it did make me feel. Frustration, anger, empathy, sadness, and finally a sad final resolution however it was meant to be interpreted. That's the point of movies sometimes, to make you feel. This wasn't so much a mystery even though it clearly was. I wouldn't even call it a psychological drama. It was just the story of someone in deep pain who was either unable, or unwilling to find a successful way through it. To me this reminded me of a modern day allegory in the vein of a Homer. I imagine a rewatch would reveal more that I missed and possibly even a deeper understanding. For that I would easily give it a 7.5 out of 10.

It's an interesting film that rides the line of parody and absurdity well. From the theme music to the odd camera cuts, it works well in this psychological thriller that exists to comment on the rise of high value man culture and false prophets. Not for everyone, but I enjoyed it.

Something unique and different. The soundtrack suited the film perfectly. Nicholas Cage was great as the main character.
Can see this being a future cult classic.

What a crazy way of showing off our Australian Youth 😢

What can go wrong with, will go wrong.
Do yourself a favor and watch this movie.

Nicolas Cage shines in movies like these. Incredibly weird, anxiety inducing and, just in general, a mindf*ck.

The trailer did give away too much of the story in my opinion, which is a shame. I do try to avoid watching trailers, but as I saw this one as one of the pre-movie trailers, so it was hard to ignore.

I personally don't think it deserves all the hate it gets, but it's definitely not everyone's cup of tea. It's a commentary on the manosphere cults that draw in young men and destroy lives, but the execution is very confusing. I think it's ok. [spoiler]Shout out to the dead rat. It had the best scenes[/spoiler]

If there wasn’t so much foreshadowing: the gun, the necklace etc., I would have loved this a lot more. It ended up being a bit too linear and, in comparison to Vivarium, not as mysterious and opaque.