Movies

Nicolas Cage’s The Surfer Nearly Had a Wild Supernatural Twist—Why the Director Cut It

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The film titled “The Surfer,” starring Nicolas Cage, is a chilling psychological thriller that delves deeper than just mental anguish. The narrative unfolds around Cage’s enigmatic Surfer character, who finds himself unwelcome on an Australian coastline by the growing hostility of the locals. Despite the confounding ending that left viewers puzzled, the film has garnered praise from critics. It boasts an impressive 86% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes, but its reception among audiences has been more mixed, with a 46% Popcornmeter score at the time of this writing.

Quote: “Initially, we had this idea of incorporating supernatural elements, but as we worked on it, we realized that the practical storyline was just as effective and actually complicates the themes if you start adding supernatural stuff. But there’s still a little bit of that in there.” – Lorcan Finnegan

Absolutely, the beach exudes a mysterious allure with its haunting beauty, and the waves below are surprisingly fierce yet aesthetically pleasing. They appear delicate and crisp, but they possess weightiness and crash forcefully. Originally, in an earlier version of the script, the beach was described as having an almost supernatural pull on him, and there was a sound called “thrum” that drew him in. However, this script underwent revisions, as unnecessary details like the violent history of the beach were removed to streamline the themes we wanted to explore more deeply. There’s still a hint of that tension with Miranda Tapsell’s character saying, “You don’t belong here,” but overall, we were searching for a location that could evoke such an atmosphere. This could only be achieved by visiting numerous locations and then experiencing the unique vibe when you arrive at the spot.

What The Practical Story Means For The Surfer

The Story Already Feels Supernatural

As a passionate admirer, I’d rephrase it like this: In numerous aspects, the movie “The Surfer” carries an almost supernatural vibe, hinted at by Finnegan, as the plot revolves around an entire town seemingly gaslighting a surfer without just cause. They seize all his possessions, exert a tight grip over their beach, and act in ways that are downright peculiar. All their actions appear to stem from a cult-like feeling of superiority, yet there’s no clear supernatural or religious anchor. Even though the waves hold no magical connection, this world possesses an inherent quality that makes it intriguing without needing further exploration.

To keep a touch of authenticity while avoiding magical elements, Finnegan structured the film in such a way that it didn’t require explanations for its magic or spend time resolving its supernatural impact. This allowed the narrative to concentrate on the Surfer and his bond with his son, as well as his relationship with the town, rather than getting sidetracked by other factors. Additionally, the psychological aspect of the film set it apart from similar supernatural horror movies, preventing potential confusion with others, such as 2024’s “Speak No Evil.

Our Take On The Surfer’s Supernatural Element

It Was Not Entirely Necessary

In the critique by ScreenRant’s Mae Abdulbaki on The Surfer, she highlighted that one of the film’s strengths lies in its unique and unexpected psychological twist. She notes that while adding a supernatural element could potentially intensify this twisted quality, it might not be significant enough to justify its inclusion. The movie’s narrative is engaging enough on its own, and introducing supernatural elements could risk making the exposition heavy and repetitive. Given the success of Cage’s latest film with a more grounded storyline, the team behind The Surfer seems to have made a smart choice in sticking to a practical narrative.

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2025-05-04 21:31

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