Common Sense Media Review
By Tara McNamara
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Cage's aggro thriller has cruel bullying, suicide, drugs.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Surfer
What's the Story?
In THE SURFER, an unnamed man (Nicolas Cage) who's driven to succeed so that he can buy his childhood home in Australia takes his son (Finn Little) to the beach where he rode the waves as a boy. There they are confronted by the "Bay Boys," a group of men led by Scally (Julian McMahon) who threaten anyone trying to access the public beach. As tensions escalate, the father refuses to back down, even if it means losing everything.
Is It Any Good?
This thriller is an infinity mirror of masculinity—layered, relentless, and hard to look at for long. You may wonder why Cage signed on to what initially seems like an exercise in frustration, but as The Surfer unfolds, it's clear that we're not just watching a story: We're staring into a work of art that dares us to look even deeper. The opening scene features Cage's character waxing metaphoric about how life is like a wave—you can't stop it, only ride it or be wiped out—and the metaphor plays out with both visual and emotional brutality.
Straight up, The Surfer isn't pleasant to watch. It's a cinematic dare, a psychological endurance test, and a meditation on the social pressures some men may feel to achieve, to possess, to dominate, to overcome. While extreme, it provides an understanding of how localism rises and is sustained by the community. The Surfer isn't for everyone—it's not a great pick for a father-son movie night—and it takes self-discipline to make it to the end. But if you stick with it, it will leave you with respect for its unique artistic commentary and give you something unsettling and strangely resonant to think about for days to come.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the message of The Surfer. How would you explain it? Are viewers meant to take the actions that are shown at the end of the film literally? What do you think happens?
Kids: Are there conversations you're hearing at school or having with friends that are related to or inspired by "masculinity influencers"? What qualifies these men as "experts," and why do you think they're motivated to share their opinions?
How does the film contend with bullying behavior? What does Cage's character do that experts recommend, and what would you have liked for him to do differently?
What is "localism"? The movie is a drama that takes place in the fictional Luna Bay, but it's based on a similar situation that existed for six decades in Lunada Bay in Southern California, where the "Lunada Bay Boys"—mostly middle-aged men living off trust funds—harassed those who tried to surf on a public beach (an effort that began in the name of keeping the lineup clear and safe for surfers). What does the film suggest about how localism arises and grows out of control?
What are the hallmarks of cinematic surrealism? Does The Surfer qualify? How does it compare to other surrealist movies you've seen?
Movie Details
- In theaters : May 2, 2025
- On DVD or streaming : June 6, 2025
- Cast : Nicolas Cage , Julian McMahon , Finn Little
- Director : Lorcan Finnegan
- Studio : Roadside Attractions
- Genre : Thriller
- Topics : Adventures , Competition , Family Stories , Friendship , STEM ( Nature ) , Animals ( Ocean Creatures ) , Sports
- Character Strengths : Perseverance
- Run time : 100 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language, suicide, some violence, drug content and sexual material
- Last updated : September 6, 2025
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