Let's start with a film that has already become emblematic of Cage's career: Longlegs. Here, he plays a serial killer who gives the film its name, and it's packed with bizarre elements. Not only is Cage's look shocking (so much so that it wasn't even featured in the promotional material!), but also the tone of his performance, which oscillates between the eerie and the shocking.
Mandy is undoubtedly a film that helped Nicolas Cage rejuvenate his career. After a string of projects that were going nowhere, of questionable quality, this film stands out. He plays a lumberjack living a peaceful life with his wife, Mandy, in 1983. However, the emergence of a messianic figure sends him on a psychedelic, tragic, and blood-soaked journey. It’s a surreal, mysterious, and sinister revenge thriller—with a subtext that delves into issues like conservatism, religious fanaticism, and even toxic masculinity.
In Mom and Dad, Nicolas Cage delivers one of the wildest and most memorable performances of his career. The film, a blend of horror and dark comedy, explores the disturbing premise of parents who inexplicably turn violently against their own children. Cage, in the role of the father, channels all his frenetic energy and characteristic intensity, creating a character that is both terrifying and mesmerizing.
Another film that showcases Nicolas Cage's versatility is Willy's Wonderland. He plays a mysterious protagonist who doesn’t utter a single word throughout the film, blending horror with a good dose of absurdity. The plot pits Cage against a horde of murderous animatronics in a creepy amusement park. Even without dialogue, it’s one of Cage’s standout performances.
