Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions have acquired North American rights to “The Surfer,” a psychological thriller starring Nicolas Cage that premiered at Cannes Film Festival.
The movie will be released in theaters on a yet-to-be-determined date in 2025. Lorcan Finnegan directed “The Surfer,” a story about a man who returns to the idyllic beach of his childhood to surf with his son. But, according to the official logline, “he is humiliated by a group of powerful locals and drawn into a conflict that rises with the punishing heat of the summer and pushes him right to his breaking point.”
“Lorcan’s movie is a stunning visual experience with an incredible palette, coupled with Nicolas Cage at his absolute best,” said Lauren Bixby, Lionsgate’s senior VP of acquisitions and co-productions.“We could not be more proud to bring this film to theaters.”
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Roadside Attractions co-presidents Eric d’Arbeloff and Howard Cohen believe the film “ranks among the greatest Nicolas Cage performances.”
PvNew’s chief film critic Owen Gleiberman called “The Surfer” the kind of “trippy slapdash comic nightmare where the only way to watch it is to sit back and go with it,” adding that “Cage makes that easy to do.”
“The Surfer” also features Julian McMahon, Nic Cassim, Miranda Tapsell, Alexander Bertrand, Justin Rosniak, Rahel Romahn, Finn Little and Charlotte Maggi. Thomas Martin wrote the screenplay. Producers of the film were Leonora Darby, James Harris, Robert Connolly, James Grandison, Brunella Cocchiglia, Cage and Nathan Klingher. Executive producers were Apur Parikh,Robert Patterson, Finnegan,Mark Lane, Michael Rothstein, Sam Hall, Ford Corbett, Mark Fasano,Ryan Winterstern,Josh Harris,Greg Friedman,Jatin Desai and François Tétaz.
The deal was brokered by WME Independent on behalf of the filmmakers. North Five Six is handling international sales.
