The Surfer: Nicholas Cage Shines in First Trailer for Crime Thriller

The first trailer for the crime thriller The Surfer has dropped, with 61-year-old Nicholas Cage leading the charge. In this tale of grit and waves, he plays a former surfer who heads to Australia with his son for a getaway—only to clash with a ruthless local gang.

Cage steps into the shoes of an American raised Down Under, known simply as "The Surfer" on IMDb. The story follows this weathered protagonist and his teenage son as they journey to Australia, where the father hopes to share a cherished beach from his childhood surfing days. But their trip takes a dark turn when a crew of thuggish surfers ambushes them. The gang humiliates The Surfer in front of his boy, forcing them off the sand with their tails between their legs.

It soon becomes clear that these hoodlums have seized control of the secluded shore. Undeterred, The Surfer squares up for a brutal showdown with the taunting crew, who relentlessly mock him. Before long, he’s thrust into the heart of a criminal turf war. Under a blazing sun, a full-blown battle for the beach erupts. Determined to reclaim his family’s honor and free the coastline, The Surfer sets out to crush his foes.

Directed by Lorcan Finnegan—known for Vivarium and The Evil Eye—The Surfer boasts a stellar cast alongside Cage (The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent). Julian McMahon (Charmed), Finn Little (Yellowstone), Nicholas Cassim (Mr Inbetween), and Miranda Tapsell (The Dry) round out the ensemble. The film premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, where it won over critics, earning a robust 88% on Rotten Tomatoes. Reviews praised its tense, heartfelt, and occasionally absurd humor, with Cage’s performance hailed as one of the finest in his storied career.

The Surfer hits theaters worldwide on May 2.