In the most Abed Nadir voice possible — “Nicolas Cage maaaaaaaaan” — and that alone should either have an audience immediately ready to dive into what absolute madness whether good, bad, or Cage, they’re about to get into. While the mileage may vary for Cage (Pig; Dream Scenario) in Benjamin Brewer’s (The Trust) newest, Arcadian, screenwriter Michael Nilon (Braven), in only his second screenplay, delivers a lot of promise, but leaves the audience wanting a little more explored and some extra depth for one specific character, especially. While Arcadian may have audiences excited by the promise of Nicolas Cage doing another horror film, he is not the focal point nor the main character, but the leads certainly bring their own gravitas to the screen and deliver strong performances to keep the audience thoroughly engaged.
L-R: Maxwell Jenkins as Thomas, Nicolas Cage as Paul, and Jaeden Martell as Joseph in Benjamin Brewer’s ARCADIAN. Photo Courtesy of RLJE Films and Shudder. An RLJE Films and Shudder Release.
The film focuses on Paul (Nicolas Cage) trying to navigate the world he currently resides in with his teenager twin sons Joseph (Jaeden Martell) and Thomas (Maxwell Jenkins). We never get told when the movie is taking place, but it is certainly somewhere in the modern universe as it doesn’t reflect a futuristic or past time line and space. The only thing we do know is something happened, the world is a mess, most of civilization has ceased to exist, and something terrifying lurks in the night. There’s a presence of something that strikes at night, and this leads everyone to retreat and hide in their homes, protected, as dusk sets to ensure their survival. This is obviously an adjustment for everyone, especially Thomas who just loves to break the rules and travel outside of the boundaries and not come home at curfew, something that drives Paul absolutely mad.
L-R: Jaeden Martell as Joseph and Maxwell Jenkins as Thomas in Benjamin Brewer’s ARCADIAN. Photo Courtesy of RLJE Films and Shudder. An RLJE Films and Shudder Release.
The audience shortly finds out they’re not the only survivors nearby though, as another family, the Roses, have a daughter, Charlotte (Sadie Soverall), who Thomas shows a particular interest in which ends up being something rather dangerous. Since Thomas is a teenager and clearly cannot think about anything other than his urges, and continuously misses curfew, he convinces his brother to let him do his own thing despite Paul’s objections and he ends up in some deep trouble one night. When he doesn’t come back home by curfew and Paul realizes Thomas is missing, he goes out to search for him. As it gets later and later, the creatures they fear become a threat and the race against time to save Thomas and himself gets more and more tense.
Maxwell Jenkins as Thomas in Benjamin Brewer’s ARCADIAN. Photo Courtesy of RLJE Films and Shudder. An RLJE Films and Shudder Release.
Audiences might be tuning in and watching Arcadian for the Nicolas Cage factor, and, despite his short screen time, he does give it his full effort and truly relishes in the scenes he is in. He manages to make the most of his time on screen and ensures that audiences whose sole interests lay in him will not be disappointed. Maxwell Jenkins (Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping) and Sadie Soverall (Saltburn) play Thomas and Charlotte well as your typical teenagers who have accepted the fate they’ve been destined to (living in a post apocalyptic world), but want to still be “kids.” Jaeden Martell (Knives Out) as Joseph is the most level-headed, is the focal point of the film, and brings logic to the screen. While the movie is entirely an ensemble piece, everyone flows and fits together excellently to bring that sibling rivalry, in a sense, to the forefront, along with the dumb kids and the protective parents who are willing to do what it takes to save their kids. The true highlight in Arcadian, though, obviously, is the creatures that are on the hunt and prowl throughout. They are disturbing looking and creepy and will be sure to send a slight chill down your spine.
Sadie Soverall as Charlotte in Benjamin Brewer’s ARCADIAN. Photo Courtesy of RLJE Films and Shudder. An RLJE Films and Shudder Release.
Arcadian may be light on the promise of another classic Cage performance, but it delivers on intriguing creatures with a world we’ve seen time and time again. Michael Nilon isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel on the post-apocalypse world front, but is just trying to put some more tread on the already driven vehicle. Benjamin Brewer takes advantage of the nighttime scenarios to create a tense world, and the cast brings their all. The only downfall is that it does feel too much of the same while being different for it to stand out in the crowded room.
Screening during The Overlook Film Festival 2024.
In theaters April 12th, 2024.
Final Score: 3 out of 5.
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Categories: In Theaters, Reviews
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