Arcadian (2024)

Direction: Benjamin Brewer
Country: USA

In its second collaboration with actor and co-producer Nicolas Cage, director Benjamin Brewer (The Trust, 2016) brings us a post-apocalyptic horror tale set in a world overrun by lethal nightly creatures that frantically clap their jaws before massacre anyone in their path. Cage portrays Paul, a vigilant father of two teenage boys, the impulsive Thomas (Maxwell Jenkins) and the resourceful Joseph (Jaeden Martell), whom he instructs in defense techniques and survival strategies. When Thomas fails to return from the nearby Rose Farm before nightfall, panic ensues, and danger looms both inside their farmhouse and beyond its walls.

Arcadian rightfully earns its place among contemporary apocalyptic films, kept engagingly off-balance between horror tale, family drama, and teen romance. The special effects and characterization are awesome, but the tale risks running out of ideas at some point. However, it denotes a firm command of tone and decent visuals. The creepy, original monsters are a motivation and a mystery; Cage, who is revealed to have a special ability to return from the dead, discloses the bravest of the hearts; while the youthful energy and recklessness of the boys inject vitality into the story. 

The handheld camera work may be a minor drawback for some viewers, and opportunities for deeper exploration of character dynamics and the catastrophic events could have been better utilized. Nonetheless, Brewer's direction demonstrates unwavering commitment, resulting in what is arguably his strongest work to date.

Dream Scenario (2023)

Direction: Kristoffer Borgli
Country: USA

In Dream Scenario, Norwegian filmmaker Kristoffer Borgli continues his exploration of stubborn, obsessive characters, taking viewers on a tortuous journey into the world of unexplainable dreams and unexpected fame. On the heels of his previous work, Sick of Myself (2022), Borgli's first English-language feature is a bizarre and exhilarating tale that thrives on complexities and dilemmas, offering an unconventional cinematic experience. The filmmaker doesn’t aim to deliver a blatant message in this well-told fantastic story that, even not for everyone, will likely earn the appreciation of adventurous film fans. 

The film grabs hold in a powerful way, as long as we can let ourselves be carried along by its complexities and dilemmas. It tells the story of Paul Matthews (Nicolas Cage), a respected biology professor who mysteriously appears in the dreams of strangers. The narrative takes unexpected turns as Paul transitions from a passive bystander to an aggressive force, leading to fame, scandal, fear, and even a sexual encounter with a young woman played by Dylan Gelula.

Horror fantasy blends with psychological drama and dark comedy as Borgli, combining imagination and technique, explores dysfunctional aspects of modern life. The structure may challenge some viewers, but those who stay engaged will find plenty of awkwardness offering a distinct cinematic pleasure. In summary, the surreal and ambiguity never dwindle the emotional stakes.

The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (2022)

Direction: Tom Gormican
Country: USA 

In this flamboyant farce, in which Nicolas Cage plays Nicolas Cage in a crisis of confidence, spreads out quick-fire situations laced with some fair moments of humor. Lively, slightly trippy, and with notes of self-mockery, the film references the actor’s real career in a few scenes, and even shows him kissing a younger and successful version of himself - an imaginary Cage likely from the ‘80s. This idea came out spontaneously from the actor while filming.

Indeed, his self-centric character feeds from the glory of the past, but is totally aware of the state of his declining career. In debt, he decides to accept a paid gig proposed by a longtime fan, the Mexican billionaire Javi Gutierrez (Pedro Pascal). All he has to do is to take a flight to Spain and join him at his birthday party. They get along pretty quickly and even make plans for a future character-driven drama film about their relationship, but everything is compromised when Cage is recruited by the CIA to spy on his new friend. 

Tom Gormican’s sophomore feature reveals audacity in its conception and releases a certain energy, but sins by letting things down gradually. The last portion of the film results in a jarring collision of cheesy friendship and action-packed scenes mounted with panache, which only curbs the more attractive offbeat impulses offered at an early stage. However, it’s great to see an enthusiastic Cage returning to the right track with three decent films - Sion Sono’s Prisoners of Ghostland, Michael Sarnoski’s Pig, and this one - delivered over the course of one year. After having refused this ‘self’ role a few times, he just made his massive talent heavier and more conspicuous by accepting it.

Pig (2021)

Direction: Michael Sarnoski
Country: USA

Debutant writer/director Michael Sarnoski’s drama-thriller, Pig, resuscitates Nicolas Cage and builds a consistently intriguing character that we strive to know more about. 

Cage is Robin Feld, a reclusive, depressed truffle hunter who leaves the Oregon woodland, where he lives for 15 years, to go after his stolen truffle-finding pig in the city of Portland, his hometown. Once there, he seeks the help of his truffle buyer, Amir (Alex Wolff), who later realizes he was a known and respected personality in the city. Rob has his own ways, but they are weird ways. He learns that both he and his antagonist made distinct choices in life after painful losses.

Cleverly paced and emotionally affecting, Pig surprises in many ways. This is certainly not the typical revenge thriller that most folks expect, but it takes you through a dirty road where unpredictability and discomfort are constantly present. It then leads to redemption and emotional liberation, aspects that Cage conjures up extraordinarily well in his performance.

Some thrillers earn the epithet of ‘edge of your seat’ experiences, but with Pig it’s more like you are waiting patiently for Rob to resolve what needs to be fixed. Successful debut by Sarnoski. 

Mandy (2018)

Directed by Panos Cosmatos
Country: USA

I was curious to see Nicolas Cage impersonating a merciless avenger in the utterly violent film “Mandy”, a candidate for the darkest film of the year. Thus, if you are a fan of the actor who helped to create memorable cinematic treasures such as “Leaving Las Vegas”, “Bringing Out the Dead”, and “Adaptation”, this is a great opportunity to witness his momentary return to the limelight through a wild performance. And if you dig macabre, evil scenarios accompanied by brutality in its physical and psychological forms, all vigorously propelled by powerful heavy metal chords, then this is an extra reason for you to visit the sophomore feature from Italian-Canadian Panos Cosmatos (“Beyond the Black Rainbow”). The filmmaker's father, George P. Cosmatos, was also a film director, best known for “Rambo: First Blood Part II” and “Cobra”, both starred by Sylvester Stallone.

The story takes place in 1983, near the Californian Shadow Mountains where Red Miller (Cage) and his beloved girlfriend Mandy Bloom (Andrea Riseborough) find solace for their traumatic pasts in long, therapeutic conversations. They couldn’t imagine that evil would destroy their lives after Jeremiah Sands (Linus Roache), the delusional leader of the hippie sect Children of the New Dawn, has put his eyes on Mandy, coveting her with obsessive resolution. He orders his vassal, Brother Swan (Ned Dennehy), to kidnap her while Red is immobilized and tortured.

Despite drugged with mind-expanding eye drops and a bizarre dream-inducing sting from a huge insect, Mandy couldn’t help but laugh madly when Jeremiah exhibits his penis. It’s a psychedelically insane scene, and the only reason why the paranoid and frustrated Jeremiah ordered his freaky disciples to burn her alive. No need to say that Red is left alive and manages to escape, pursuing the evildoers like a mad dog.

Immersed in a phantasmagoric penumbra and occasionally painted with saturated red and blue colors, “Mandy” makes its way with an increased level of graphic violence that refuses any type of enlightenment. The sections that worked better for me were the hallucinogenic ones, but some viewers will also probably rejoice with the dark humor and gory blood spills in a one-by-one manhunt.

Even though it's all too gut-wrenching and sunless, kudos to a fast and furious Cage, who returns from the dead with an insatiable appetite for vindictiveness.