The Surfer’s Twisted Ending Explained: Cage’s Fate Revealed

by

I’m sharing a heads-up that the upcoming film “The Surfer,” now showing in cinemas, is filled with suspense and thought-provoking themes concerning the protagonist’s perspective and the environment he inhabits. In this movie, Nicolas Cage portrays the title character, a middle-aged man yearning to rekindle his ties with his Australian coastal heritage. His goal? To purchase his childhood home and introduce his teenage son to surfing’s thrill. However, his plans are thwarted by a local gang led by Scally, who appears calm but harbors a menacing presence. Characters in “The Surfer” like our protagonist aren’t given extensive backstories or names.

Although The Surfer‘s storyline isn’t overly complex, its enigmatic aspects and the debatable nature of the protagonist may spark numerous queries among viewers. This intrigue is further heightened before the shocking revelations about Scally’s cult-like band of beach boys unveil their real purpose for pursuing the Surfer. These elements contribute significantly to the movie’s exploration of themes such as power, harmful masculinity, and learning to adapt with life instead of trying to dominate or succumb to it.

How Much Of The Surfer Is In The Surfer’s Head?

The Surfer’s Trippy Visuals Don’t Remove The Stakes Of The Film At All

In contrast to the dreamlike scenes and puzzling aspects found in the movie “The Surfer”, it’s almost as if the main storyline unfolds in reality for Nic Cage’s unnamed character rather than merely being a figment of his imagination. After developing an unusual fixation on the beach he used to frequent, the Surfer disregards warnings and intimidation from the local beach gang. Persistently refusing to vacate the area, the Surfer’s deteriorating physical state, caused by dehydration, pushes others away. The locals even start insinuating that the Surfer is homeless and that the car belonging to the bum is his, hinting at a possible truth in this assumption.

In a way that leaves viewers questioning if it’s real or imagined, the Surfer character exhibits imaginary spots and brief hallucinations, resembling the Bum significantly. This ambiguity suggests that the events depicted in the film might be taking place within his mind. The Surfer himself appears to fear this, as evidenced by his emotional release upon finding the Photographer’s evidence confirming the existence of his actual car. This discovery encourages him to confront his pain and take action. Despite the Surfer’s struggle with personal traumas affecting his worldview, the movie seems to imply that most, if not all, of what he experiences is actually happening to him.

How The Beach Boys Cult Is Really Connected To The Surfer

There’s A Reason The Surfer Is Being Targeted By Scally’s Men

In the film “The Surfer,” the beach-goers can be seen as a casual gathering of local males, orchestrated by Scally. Contrary to his everyday persona as a successful businessman and family man, Scally wields power within his community as a captivating yet brutal leader. He instills in the others a sense of ownership over the beach, reacting aggressively towards any strangers who venture into their territory.

This triggers their conflict with the Surfer, and the psychological torment they inflict on him escalates when it seems that even the local police officer is involved in the group. This suspicion proves accurate, and the climax discloses that other individuals around him, such as the coffee shop barista, real estate agent, and bank president, are also part of Scally’s group. Collectively, they have been manipulating the Surfer, causing him to doubt his own reality. However, it is later revealed that Scally has long recognized the Surfer, recalling him as a former resident who departed following his father’s demise.

In line with how he treats all his other followers, Scally intends for the Surfer to endure pain as a trial to gain entry into their circle. This aligns with Scally’s belief that “one must face hardship before they can surf.” After surviving this torment, filled with rage and ready to battle, the Surfer wins acceptance from Scally, who returns his possessions including his car and even his dream home. The Surfer ultimately joins their group, something he initially seems to welcome and identify with.

What’s Up With The Bum In The Surfer?

The Surfer’s Contrast Is The Film’s True Tragedy

In contrast to the Surfer character, there’s a man referred to as The Drifter in the movie who resides in his car near the beach. This man has been holding a grudge against Scally, blaming him for the death of his dog and son. It turns out that the Drifter’s son was a fan of Scally, but grew hostile towards him after he allegedly stole his girlfriend. The truth about their past becomes progressively clearer as the story unfolds.

According to Scally, the Bum’s son tragically died after falling onto a curb while under the influence of drugs. He denies any responsibility for it. However, the disclosure that Scally ordered one of his men to kill the Bum’s dog adds fuel to doubts about his honesty, as he seems determined to steer clear of this topic. The Surfer being compelled to destroy the Bum’s car as a ritual initiation marks a bleak twist in the story, strengthening the contrast between the two characters and inciting the Bum to retaliate against the beach boys with a gun.

Instead of the Surfer, who gained acceptance from Scally following his attack, the Bum is seen as dangerous due to his deadly capabilities. When the Bum challenges the Surfer, they both understand what Scally represents, but the Surfer also shows a moment of compassion towards wanting to share the ocean with his sons. This compassion allows the Surfer and his son to escape while the Bum, like an uncontrollable sea, overpowers Scally with a fatal gunshot to the head. In a chilling parallel, he later takes his own life, mirroring the tragic end of the Surfer’s father.

Why The Surfer Is So Committed To The Beach

The Beach Offers The Illusion Of Control And The Potential For Peace

A significant feature of the character known as the Surfer is his deep affection and unwavering bond with the beach that plays a central role in the movie. Having spent his childhood living mere steps away, he cherishes many joyful moments associated with that location. However, tragedy struck when his father passed away there, under circumstances suggesting suicide. This event led to the family’s relocation to America, leaving an emotional scar on the Surfer. Despite facing challenges in both personal and professional life, the Surfer harbors a desire to repurchase his old family home as a means of reconnecting with his past.

The Surfer dreams of regaining some authority in his life by buying back his childhood home. This gives him an opportunity to bond with his son who seems indifferent about his father’s interests. As his world falls apart throughout the movie, he becomes increasingly desperate. At first glance, it appears that the only way to secure access to the beach and the house he’s determined to buy is by giving in to Scally’s demands, which contradicts the underlying reason for his desire for the home.

The Importance Of Surfing In The Surfer

Those Waves Are Magical

In the film titled “The Surfer“, surfing serves as far more than merely a sport or lifestyle choice. Instead, it symbolizes life itself, where the surfer explains that one must adapt to either flow with the wave to successfully ride it, or succumb and face a wipeout. The ocean, in this narrative, embodies a tranquil sense of fulfillment and resolution that the surfer appears to lack in his personal life, making him unwilling to retreat even when Scally and his crew pose threats against him.

As a passionate cinema enthusiast, I’d rephrase it this way: In the movie “The Surfer”, gliding across the water on a board feels like a magical transformation that alters one’s perspective of the world. This transcendent experience is mirrored by Scally’s surfing companions, who embody his philosophies to find fulfillment and control in their lives. To me, surfing represents the balance between control and contentment in life – something the Surfer yearns for, while the Bum grieves over his lost surfing prodigy son, ensnared by Scally’s influence. It’s no coincidence that understanding the emotional depth of surfing is what ultimately saves both the Surfer and his son at the end of the story.

The Real Meaning Of The Surfer

Scally Is A Scary, Threatening, And Ultimately Pathetic Villain

As a fan, I can’t help but delve beneath the surface of “The Surfer,” a tale brimming with profound insights into our perspectives and attempts to mold the world according to our desires. It’s intriguing how the narrative subtly critiques machismo and masculinity, painting Scally as anything but benevolent. Even in his most appealing moments, there’s an eerie undertone of danger embedded within the character. This becomes particularly evident when the Surfer confronts Scally about his mistreatment of the Bum, a scene that underscores this menacing undercurrent. This could be why Scally issued the command for the Surfer to demolish the Bum’s dwelling, a destructive act that left two souls shattered in its wake.

The machismo exhibited by this character, the Surfer, is reflected in a subtle way as well. At first, he thinks his lavish lifestyle can solve all of his problems, similar to how Scally’s men are initially overconfident before encountering the Bum with a gun. However, just like the Bum challenges their bravado, the Surfer’s confidence and identity are shaken by a world that continually torments him without mercy. But it is only through an act of genuine compassion, returning the shark tooth necklace that belonged to the Bum’s son, that he and his own child narrowly avoid a tragic end.

The Surfer criticizes individuals who subscribe to the notion “boys are just boys” and those who endorse the idea that men require outlets for aggression, thus becoming more effective “hunters and protectors.” However, his son exhibits no inclination towards the bravado of beach-goers or his father’s flawed beliefs. Intriguingly, among the few female characters in the narrative with significant screen time, The Photographer stands out as a helpful individual and a positive figure.

The Surfer disagrees with people who think boys can behave badly without consequence and those who believe men need to release tension through violence to be better at hunting and protecting. Interestingly, the story features a female character, The Photographer, who is helpful and a good person. The Surfer’s son doesn’t appreciate the boisterousness of other beach-goers or his father’s wrong beliefs.

Read More

2025-05-02 01:41