
The Surfer
Seen it?2025 | 100 min | Drama, Thriller
Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It earned strong reviews (84% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had a lukewarm 5.7 out of 10 from audiences and soft box office. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who likes to be kept guessing. If you loved Foxcatcher or Nocturnal Animals, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Tense and unsettling.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 40 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: meant for adults.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
A man returns to the idyllic beach of his childhood to surf with his son. When he is humiliated by a group of locals, the man is drawn into a conflict that keeps rising and pushes him to his breaking point.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
84% on Rotten Tomatoes, 67 on Metacritic
- AudiencesBelow par
5.7 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Reach & staying powerBelow par
Streaming release that reached a modest audience
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 203K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
FoxcatcherFriday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed drama.
Luckiest Girl AliveWeeknight WatchAnother drama, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Nocturnal AnimalsFriday Night FlickAnother drama, and a Friday Night Flick.
Mad MaxSaturday SpecialAnother thriller, and a Saturday Special.
BeastSaturday SpecialAnother drama, and a Saturday Special.
Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks
Cast & crew
Directed by Lorcan Finnegan
- Nicolas CageThe Surfer
- Julian McMahonScally
- Justin RosniakCop
- Alexander BertrandPitbull
- Rahel RomahnConlon
- Nicholas CassimThe Bum
- Finn LittleThe Kid
- Charlotte MaggiJenny
- Nina YoungThe Dog Walker
- James BinghamRunt 1