Described by Mashable as a blaring contrast to the silent terrors of A Quiet Place, Arcadian emerges as another apocalyptic monster thriller that leaves us (yes, I mean me and you, collectively) yearning for more. In the wreckage of civilization, now a desolate landscape marred by pollution and war (not too dissimilar from the realities we face today), Cage's character, Paul, embarks on a perilous journey with his twin sons, Thomas (Maxwell Jenkins) and Joseph (Jaeden Martell). Their destination: a secluded farmhouse, a haven of sorts, where they hope to evade the chaos and danger that surrounds them.
However, it soon becomes apparent that besides the horrors wrought by mankind, there lurk actual monsters in the wilderness - perhaps extraterrestrial beings? The characters conjecture that these monsters have arrived to purge the earth of humans, a punishment for our destructive impact on the climate. They live underground and emerge at night, stalking the land in search of prey.
For a while, Paul and his sons manage to survive by barricading themselves inside the house after sunset. But when Thomas fails to return one night after meeting a girl (Sadie Soverall), Paul is forced to venture out into the darkness to retrieve him. This marks the beginning of a gruelling survival/action sequence, filled with Nic Cage's signature intense facial expressions and adrenaline-pumping suspense.
Director Benjamin Brewer revealed to EW that he views Arcadian as a coming-of-age tale set in a Mad Max-like landscape, tinged with a "dark fairytale hue." It's a fascinating blend of genres that promises both thrills and emotional depth, exploring themes of brotherly love amidst the backdrop of a dystopian world. Oh, and did we mention the climate-avenging aliens? They're a bonus feature that definitely adds to the weird and wonderful mix.
The official trailer for Arcadian hit YouTube ahead of its theatrical release date on April 12, 2024, whetting the appetites of moviegoers eager to witness this unique blend of action, horror, and sci-fi. Director Benjamin Brewer reunites with Cage for this project, a reunion that seems to have paid off in spades. Writer Michael Nilon, who has also collaborated with Cage in the past on the surprisingly watchable (yet politically charged) 2014 film Left Behind, brings his unique storytelling talents to Arcadian. It's a reunion that may seem odd on paper, but it appears to have worked wonders on the big screen.
