Nicolas Cage: The Dystopian Father You’ve Always Wanted in “Arcadian”

An excellent Nicolas Cage film with a serious and well-crafted horror plot is Arcadian.

It vividly depicts a post-apocalyptic world where creatures of the night lurk.
Before letting fly at the conclusion, Cage gives a grounded performance that reveals genuine emotional depth.

The 2024 SXSW Film & TV Festival was the first venue for this critique.

Who among us doesn’t enjoy a good Nicolas Cage film? The ones that attempt to cynically capitalise on his Hollywood reputation are not the ones I’m referring to. What I mean is the ones that aren’t only great films in their own right, but also demonstrate that Cage is one of the most captivating and adaptable actors working today. in Nicolas Cage, filmmaker Benjamin Brewer has created one of the most enjoyable cinematic experiences of his recent career in Arcadian.

Even though things go wildly wrong, it’s still a terrifying piece of literature that deserves careful consideration.Not only is it entertaining to see Cage battle post-apocalyptic monsters, but the plot is solid and never sabotages itself by winking at the camera, which is something that previous films have failed to achieve. Michael Nilon’s screenplay gives Cage, Jaeden Martell, and Maxwell Jenkins the opportunity to fully inhabit a universe as a family unit bracing for the end of the world.

Even though the film is self-aware and makes great use of Cage’s persona, it also takes itself seriously, making the most of the buildup before it erupts outward in spectacular way. It may not be the first of its kind, but seeing this film propel it forth at full speed is fantastic.

The 2024 horror-action thriller Arcadian
In a desolate farmhouse near the end of the world, a man and his twin teenage sons struggle to stay alive.

Date of Release: April 12, 2024
Leading man Benjamin Brewer

Cast

Maxwell Jenkins, Joe Dixon, Sadie Soverall, Jaeden Martell, Daire McMahon, Joel Gillman, and Samantha Coughlan
It lasts for 92 minutes.

What Is the Meaning of “Arcadian”?

The story starts with Paul (Cage) scavenging for supplies in the now-collapsing old world. Its reliance on a single continuous handheld shot echoes that of Alfonso Cuarón’s Children of Men; the beginning is less energetic than anything in that film, but it succeeds in achieving its goals. We learn enough about Paul and his predicament before Cage even says a word. As he cautiously makes his way through what appears to be a city under siege, we see him rushing where he can. The camera cuts away from him as he talks at one point, giving the impression that something horrific is going on behind the scenes.

As Paul gazes out over this globe, perhaps bidding farewell, the camera pans to a locked-down view of it. He then returns to the area where he has concealed his two infant sons. He consoles them, but the path ahead appears to be too much for him. Next, we jump ahead fifteen years to find Thomas (Jenkins) and Joseph (Martell) living in a distant house with their father.

As it becomes apparent that remaining outdoors at night is fatal, they all rush indoors, with Paul patiently waiting for them to return before he goes inside himself. The sound of pounding on the heavily guarded door suggests that whatever is beyond is attempting to breach the defences of the remaining survivors. The sound of these terrifying monsters is enough to make anyone wince, even though we’ll get more close-up views of them later on in the film. Their noises will grow increasingly disturbing.

The Horror Film “Arcadian” Takes a Different Path.

Arcadian immediately establishes its unique rules, which distinguish it from what sounds like a hybrid of A Quiet Place and the From series. Simply said, there aren’t many guidelines. Thomas plays a game with his neighbouring community’s Charlotte (Sadie Soverall), who he has a crush on, in a sequence that establishes both their anguish and their lack of knowledge about what happened.

Rather of providing us with useful information about the reality, these wild tales attempt to swiftly explain what caused the end of the world. They don’t want the characters to know this, but this is where a lot of them will perish. While the film does tone down the violence a bit, the monster action scenes are still rather terrifying.

Caroline Menton, who plays Yana, peers into the mouth of a wooden doll in a still from Oddity. The doll sits on a table, its mouth agape in an ongoing scream.
CONNECTED Review of “Oddity”: Presented at SXSW 2024, This Supernatural Horror Film Will Devastate You.

In one memorable scene, a hand slowly extends from a doorhole, growing in length until it appears as though it would reach the character who has slept off while standing guard. Its construction is its strongest suit, but its visual effects are also strong points. Sure, there are plenty of more hectic moments as the story progresses, but there’s also something magical about watching something inch closer to ensnaring you.

The monsters aren’t the only thing driving the plot; the film also has sneaky ways to make you scared. You can feel Thomas’s fall even though you don’t see him make an impact because of the way the shot simply holds as he slips into a dark pit on his journey home. This sets the stage for Paul to go in search of him, leaving Joseph to wait alone at home till morning. Even if there’s more to the plot, you’ll enjoy the picture more if you go into it with no prior knowledge. The little peace that the surviving humans have battled so hard to establish may soon be torn apart.

Cage Rocks ‘Arcadian,’ Even Though He Isn’t the Main Character

An Arcadian chair supports Nicolas Cage as he sits. Photo sourced from Shudder.
Although the specifics are kept under wraps, it is worth mentioning that Cage is incapacitated for a considerable portion of the film. Rest assured, he is at his best when he is on the pitch.

At times, his portrayal of Paul takes on a more sombre tone, reminiscent of his outstanding performance in Michael Sarnoski’s Pig, an almost flawless film. We empathise with him as he fights for the survival of his family despite the mounting odds. Despite the fact that Nicolas Cage’s crazy onscreen antics have been the subject of many a meme (blech), it’s nice to see that this picture doesn’t attempt to cheaply capitalise on it. All the while, you buy into his every move.

This further proves that Nicolas Cage is an exceptional actor capable of elevating even the most mundane of situations. At the very end, when the spotlight is on him and it appears like we’re about to hear him deliver a catchphrase, he gets this line. Instead, Cage keeps things real, which amplifies the force of even a single word due to its sincerity. Rather than making you feel like something is missing when he takes a back seat, it really creates plenty of room for fresh terror and heartfelt moments.

The point is to demonstrate that the brothers are among the few individuals on Earth who genuinely care about one other, despite their numerous differences and tendency to argue. Because we can witness them developing into real men, their bond feels authentic and plausible. Arcadian isn’t a deep character study where we watch them grow over years; instead, it focuses on a small number of days. Despite this, the emotional beats are effective.

Even if everything else has crumbled around them, there is a charmingly absurd scene where Paul tries to teach Joseph how to drive. It’s nice to see a basic ritual of life carrying on despite the chaos. Because we’ve grown invested in the individuals and their relationships, it’s moments like these that set the stage for actual stakes. Though she comes across as underwritten at times, Soverall gives Charlotte a lot in her portrayal. Even though her goals are less specific, she is meticulous with a shotgun.

Martell and Jenkins are equally impressive. Although the former has experience in the horror genre thanks to his role in the recent It films, this seems to provide him greater freedom to showcase his acting chops. As the characters engage in a final showdown for their fates, you’re right there with them—especially when Cage gets an unforgettable scene that feels justified considering the rest of the film was more subdued. Arcadian is a good monster flick despite the fact that its planet has descended into darkness. Something can be hiding under the ground, so be careful where you walk, A Quiet Place.

Poster for the Arcadian film starring Maxwell Jenkins, Jaeden Martell, and Nicolas Cage
REVIEW
From 2024 onwards, Arcadian
Nicolas Cage’s continued greatness as an actor is on full display in the terrifying picture Arcadian, which features superbly crafted monsters.