The Surfer

Not much unfolds according to expectation in The Surfer, such as the titular protagonist rarely even touching the water.

This stylish psychological thriller about a man’s surreal quest for redemption and reconciliation amid a daunting midlife crisis is both consistently amusing and mildly disturbing, but overall is a playful lark that provides another excuse for star Nicolas Cage to dig into his bag of gonzo eccentricities.

The throwback visual aesthetic — perhaps drawing inspiration from genre exploitation films — conveys a sun-drenched nostalgic vibe that conceals some dark secrets.

It also hints that Irish director Lorcan Finnegan (Vivarium) is determined not to take the material too seriously, which proves a wise choice more often than not.

The story is set in a seaside enclave along the western coast of Australia. Cage plays an American businessman who apparently grew up there, in a ritzy cliffside house he’s now trying to purchase in a misguided attempt to reunite his estranged family.

Red flags abound, however, starting with a planned surfing excursion with his teenage son (Finn Little), when he’s confronted and harassed by a gang of locals eager to protect their turf — or sand, in this case.

The antagonists resemble an all-male cult who throw wild parties evidently with the blessing of authorities. “I’m just trying to help you wake up and accept who you are,” cryptically explains their leader (Julian McMahon), an old childhood rival.

The unnamed surfer’s refusal to cooperate leads to a series of increasingly hostile encounters with quirky beachgoers that leaves him disheveled and desperate.

The film gradually fills in the details of his troubled past and fractured family life. Meanwhile, all of the bullying and tribalism has a dehumanizing effect, triggering a downward spiral while he loses his grip on reality.

The narrative puzzle of misdirection and manipulation doesn’t add up to much in the screenplay by Thomas Martin (White Widow), which withholds key contextual details to preserve its late twists.

Deeper sympathy remains elusive as the film is rooted more in absurdist fantasy and self-deprecation than real-world emotion, exploring conformity, socioeconomic class, and toxic masculinity with varying degrees of sincerity.

Still, it’s fun to watch Cage become unhinged as his character falls for one mischievous ruse after another, ultimately preventing The Surfer from wiping out.

Rated R, 99 minutes.