The Surfer on Stan is weird, wonderful and peak Nicolas Cage.

Nicolas Cage has built a career on being delightfully, magnificently unhinged — and his latest film The Surfer is no exception.

This psychological thriller, now streaming exclusively on Stan, sees the Academy Award winner deliver what critics are calling "one of his best performances" in a story that's as beautiful as it is deeply unsettling.

The Surfer follows a man (Cage) who returns to Australia after years in the US, hoping to buy back his childhood family home on a secluded beach. What should be a nostalgic homecoming quickly turns into a nightmare when he's humiliated in front of his teenage son by a group of territorial local surfers who claim ownership over the beach where he once played as a child.

Refusing to back down, he digs in his heels and demands acceptance — setting off a psychological battle that pushes him to the very edge of his sanity.

Watch the trailer for The Surfer. Article continues after video.

If you're a fan of intense, character-driven thrillers that get under your skin, The Surfer delivers in spades. The film even received a six-minute standing ovation at its world premiere at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. It's the kind of film that will have you discussing every twisted moment from beginning to end with your family or in your group chat.

The story in The Surfer explores themes of identity, belonging, and what happens when someone's sense of self is completely stripped away. It's Point Break meets Wake in Fright with a distinctly Australian edge that feels both familiar and deeply unsettling.

At 61, Nicolas Cage remains one of Hollywood's most fascinating actors. From his Oscar-winning turn in Leaving Las Vegas to cult classics like Con Air and Face/Off, Cage has never been afraid to swing for the fences with his on-screen performances. His recent renaissance with films like Pig, Dream Scenario, and Mandy has reminded audiences why he's such a compelling screen presence — he brings total commitment to every role, no matter how bizarre they may seem at the beginning.

Image: Stan

The Surfer feels tailor-made for Cage's particular brand of intensity. His ability to toe the line between vulnerability and volatility makes him perfect for a character whose grip on reality becomes increasingly tenuous as the film progresses. Cage fans will recognise all his trademark intensity in this role, but channelled into something genuinely haunting and emotionally raw.

What makes The Surfer even more special is that it's a proudly Australian production, shot entirely in the stunning coastal town of Yallingup in Western Australia. Director Lorcan Finnegan (Vivarium) chose to film in a single location, creating an almost claustrophobic atmosphere that perfectly serves the story's psychological tension.

The film also boasts an impressive Australian ensemble cast that holds its own alongside Cage.

The cast of The Surfer includes Julian McMahon (Nip/Tuck, Charmed) who brings his trademark charisma, while Miranda Tapsell (The Dry, Top End Wedding) continues to prove she's one of our finest actors. The cast also includes Nic Cassim (Mr Inbetween), Alexander Bertrand (Australian Gangster), Justin Rosniak (Last King of the Cross), Rahel Romahn (Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga), Finn Little (Yellowstone), and Charlotte Maggi (Rebel Moon).

Image: Stan

This stellar Australian cast doesn't just support Cage — they challenge him, creating a dynamic that feels authentically Australian while never losing the film's psychological edge.

There's really no other film like The Surfer playing anywhere on our screens right now; it has a tone and a feel that is uniquely its own, with a story that will stay with you long after the credits have rolled.

The Surfer is the kind of film that reminds you why cinema can be so powerful. It's weird, it's wonderful, and it's absolutely peak Nicolas Cage. Whether you're a longtime fan of his work or just love a good psychological thriller, this is one ride you won't want to miss.

The Surfer is streaming now exclusively on Stan.

Feature Image: Stan.