by Isa
Probably the only film you’ll see this year that features Nic Cage forcing someone to eat a rat (although I suppose with Cage you can never be sure), Lorcan Finnegan’s The Surfer is an incredible Australian-set psychological thriller. Premiering at last year’s prestigious Cannes Film Festival, the film follows an unnamed businessman, played by Cage and referred to in the film’s credits simply as ‘The Surfer’, who comes into conflict with the locals of an Australian seaside town after he tries to take his son for a surf on his childhood beach, with the film chronically the effect of the local’s treatment of him on his psyche.
As per usual, Cage is an absolute treat to watch, turning in a powerhouse performance and giving one of the best portrayals of a descent into madness that I’ve seen in a long time. The film’s other stars are also good. Julian McMahon turns in a career-best performance as the film’s antagonist, Scally, the leader of the men’s rights cult who use the beach as their clubhouse and are incredibly hostile to outsiders. Similarly, Justin Rosniak is an absolute riot as the beach’s local cop, his comedic timing providing some of the film’s funniest moments. The cinematography, digitally manipulated to appear as though the film was shot on 16mm, contrasts the beauty of the beach’s landscape with the heat of the Australian climate and the seedy criminal underbelly of the seaside town. It creates an atmosphere that’s claustrophobic in a way, despite the vast open space it’s capturing. This, paired with choppy editing, makes the film tense, and makes you feel like you’re right there with Cage’s character.
It’s not all tension though. Finnegan’s film is hilarious. Like, really hilarious. While the film’s marketing has focused more on its thriller aspects, believe me when I say that it elicited more laughter from my audience than any other film I’ve seen so far this year. Finnegan infuses this humour with a degree of surrealism too. ‘Lynchian’ is a term thrown around far too often, but I believe its use here is not without merit. The film’s mixture of offbeat humour, surrealism, and psychological drama does feel reminiscient of David Lynch’s work, while still being fresh and unique, and very Australian.
Despite the fact that both Finnegan and the film’s writer, Thomas Martin, are Irish, they seem to have an incredible grasp of Australian culture. The film feels quintessentially Australian, in a way that’s almost nostalgic. From the broken beer bottle in the beach’s carpark to the disgusting public toilets, it reminds you of your own trips to similar beaches. Finnegan and Martin’s fascination with Australian culture isn’t just an aesthetic interest however, with the pair using their film to critique our systems of power. Using McMahon’s character, Scally, and his manipulation of the Surfer, Finnegan’s film implores us to be discerning about who we place our trust in and who we allow to have power over us, a message that is incredibly relevant, both domestically and globally. Overall, The Surfer is a riot, and is sure to be a fun time at the cinema for you and your family.