Nicolas Cage’s upcoming film The Surfer is already generating buzz—and memes—thanks to its recent trailer, which has amassed over a million views since late February 2025. The psychological thriller fuses sun-drenched Australian surf culture with Cage’s trademark over-the-top intensity, promising audiences a wild ride of violence, paranoia, and sheer unpredictability.
In The Surfer, Cage plays a man who returns to the beach of his childhood to reconnect with his son through surfing. What should be an idyllic reunion quickly becomes a nightmare when he crosses paths with a hostile group of local surfers who enforce their mantra, “Don’t live here, don’t surf here.” This conflict escalates in tandem with the scorching summer heat, pushing the protagonist toward a violent breaking point.
True to form, Nicolas Cage sinks his teeth into every scene with gusto. The trailer teases him brandishing a tire iron, bludgeoning an adversary with a signpost, and even forcing someone to “EAT THE RAT!” His contorted expressions—eye-bulging stares and open-mouthed screams—remind viewers why his performances are endlessly GIF-able and a key reason many can’t look away.
The Surfer toys with the familiar metaphysical language of surf cinema. Cage’s opening voiceover—proclaiming waves as “pure energy” born “in a storm, way out to sea”—echoes lines from classics like Point Break. Yet, instead of portraying surfing as life-changing bliss, the film uses this spiritual framing to underscore the protagonist’s unravelling psyche.
Localism—the “turf wars” of surf culture—has been featured in films ranging from North Shore to Lords of Dogtown. In The Surfer, however, the antagonists behave less like competitive surfers and more like a menacing cult. They vandalise our hero’s car, steal his board, and subject him to humiliations that suggest a deeper, darker group mentality rather than mere territorial defence. Beneath the carnage lies a universal story: a father’s desire to share his passion with his child. The protagonist’s attempt to teach his son surfing becomes the emotional anchor, elevating the film above mere spectacle.
Since Gidget in 1959 and Endless Summer in 1966, surf films have ranged from lighthearted beach romances to adrenaline-soaked epics. The Surfer positions itself as a subversive entry—part father-son drama, part horror-tinged revenge tale—potentially redefining the genre for modern audiences who crave both action and psychological depth. Directed by Lorcan Finnegan (Vivarium), The Surfer hits theatres on May 1, 2025. With Cage at his most unhinged, a storyline that marries surf mysticism with hardcore violence, and a father-son dynamic at its heart, the film promises to be one of the most talked-about releases of the spring—rat-eating scenes and all.
In a related note, free screenings of The Surfer are set to take place in Somerset. Escapes, backed by the BFI awarding National Lottery Funding, will host free early showings of their latest independent cinema selection on Monday, April 28, 2025, and Tuesday, April 29, 2025. The screenings will take place at more than 100 cinemas across the UK, including at the Scott Cinema in Bridgwater.
Tickets are free and available now on at escapes.cinematik.app. Directed by Lorcan Finnegan, The Surfer features an intense performance by Academy Award-winner Nicolas Cage. The gripping psychological thriller tells the story of a man who returns to his childhood beach to share surfing with his son. However, his visit takes a dark turn when he is confronted and publicly humiliated by a group of powerful locals. As tensions rise with the summer's searing heat, he is drawn into an escalating conflict that will push him to his limits.
Julian McMahon stars as the formidable antagonist. The Surfer is Escapes' highly-anticipated next film and will have free previews available nationwide ahead of its official UK release on Friday, May 9, 2025. Escapes has handed out more than 110,000 free cinema tickets across the UK since its launch in February 2024.
An Escapes spokesperson said: "Whether you're looking to share a memorable experience with loved ones or simply enjoy a feel-good film, this screening promises to be a fantastic evening of entertainment, celebrating the magic of independent films and cinemas across the UK. Whether you're a longtime Nicolas Cage fan or simply looking for an unforgettable night at the movies, this screening promises to be an electrifying cinematic event."
Previous successful screenings from Escapes have included heart-warming dramedy The Penguin Lessons with Steve Coogan, family-friendly favourite The Sloth Lane, and inspiring biopic Mr Burton. The Surfer will also be shown for free on these days at the Plaza Cinema in Weston-super-Mare and the Wellesley Cinema in Wellington.
