Nicolas Cage’s Underseen Thriller ‘Pig’ Is a Streaming Hit

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Despite winning an Academy Award in 1996 for his powerful performance in Leaving Las Vegas, Nicolas Cage is often remembered for the more unusual, lower-budget films he’s made lately. Throughout his career, he’s consistently demonstrated his acting abilities, and while he’s faced some career dips, he remains a standout actor of his generation. Recent roles in films like Longlegs and Dream Scenario – which earned him a Golden Globe nomination after 20 years – have brought him back into the spotlight. Whether you love him in Color Out of Space, Renfield, Mandy, or another film, Cage consistently takes risks and fully commits to his characters. However, his Oscar-winning performance still remains his most acclaimed work.

In 2021, Nicolas Cage took on a role that felt different from anything he’d done previously. Trailers showed him looking worn and aged, suggesting a character who had faced hardship. This was a noticeable change from his typical on-screen persona. When the film Pig was released, it showcased a brilliant performance from Cage, offering a subtle and complex portrayal that was a refreshing change of pace for the actor, and a level of dramatic depth he hadn’t displayed in a while.

In 2021, Nicolas Cage appeared in some truly unusual films, including the bizarre horror movie Willy’s Wonderland and the quirky Western Prisoners of Ghostland. Despite these offbeat choices, he demonstrated why he remains a compelling actor. However, he continued to embrace the low-budget, often unconventional films that had sustained his career for years.

The Most Dangerous Chef in Cinema

In the film Pig, currently a popular title on Paramount+, Nicolas Cage plays Rob Feld, a former chef who lives a secluded life just outside the city. He forages for truffles with his pig, selling them to high-end restaurants. When the pig is stolen during a break-in, Rob embarks on a journey to get him back.

When Rob arrives in the city, he immediately asks Amir for help finding his pig. The search forces him to confront painful memories of his late wife, after which he withdrew from the world. We learn Rob was once a famous chef, and this past explains his desperate need to get his pig back. This isn’t just about getting even; it’s about a heartbroken man searching for a connection to the happiness he’s lost.

This Is Cage’s Best Performance Ever

Nicolas Cage has consistently delivered memorable performances, playing chilling serial killers in Longlegs, broken characters in Leaving Las Vegas, and vengeful maniacs in Mandy. These films, alongside others like Bringing Out the Dead, Face/Off, and Adaptation, are all highlights of his career. But does any of them truly make him shine as brightly as his role in Pig?

This thriller is beautifully written, and Rob Feld is a truly captivating and enigmatic character. While the story follows the disturbing path of a former chef, it also hints at a deeper, more complex history. Nicolas Cage delivers a powerful performance, suggesting that some past traumas are best left undisturbed. Through his rough voice and restrained, almost animalistic behavior, Cage portrays a character whose pain is better left buried.

I remember when Pig came out – it didn’t have a huge release, but it really resonated with people. Critics and audiences loved it, and a lot of folks started calling it Nicolas Cage’s best performance ever. It still holds up! As of today, it’s his highest-rated live-action movie on Rotten Tomatoes, scoring a fantastic 97% – it’s actually tied with Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse for that top spot.




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2026-02-25 16:21