Lionsgate has dropped the official trailer for The Surfer, a psychological thriller starring Nicolas Cage, in which the actor confronts a gang of surfers in a battle for dignity and respect. Directed by Lorcan Finnegan, known for his work on Vivarium and Nocebo, the film explores the intense psychological conflict that escalates between the protagonist and a group of surfers in his hometown.
In the film, Cage plays a man who returns to his childhood home in Australia with his teenage son after years of living in the United States. What begins as a routine visit quickly spirals into a confrontation when a local group of surfers humiliates him in front of his son. Refusing to back down, the protagonist chooses to remain on the beach, igniting a personal battle that grows more intense with each passing day.
The film’s official description highlights the psychological tension that unfolds: “Humiliated, he decides not to run away but to stay. His lonely protest turns into an uncompromising war — for respect, for dignity, for himself. Over the course of seven days, the tension builds, the boundaries are blurred, and the struggle becomes more and more brutal.”
Alongside Cage, The Surfer features a supporting cast that includes Julian McMahon, Nick Cassim, Miranda Tapsell, Alexander Bertrand, Justin Rosniak, Rachel Roman, Finn Little, and Charlotte Maggie.
Created by Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions, with a script written by Thomas Martin, the film is described as a gripping blend of psychological tension and Finnegan’s distinctive directorial style. The movie had its world premiere at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, where it earned a six-minute standing ovation.
The Surfer will be officially released in Ukrainian cinemas on May 8, 2025.
