What we flagged
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Stan
Our take
An MA 15+ psychological thriller with Nicolas Cage as a father bullied by locals at an Australian beach. Fistfights with bloody detail, a rat forced into a man's mouth, gun violence, depicted suicide and drug use all appear. Language is very strong, with dozens of f-words. Themes of toxic masculinity and cult-like bullying run throughout. Best for mature teens 16+ and adults.
Uplifting themes
Perseverance and protecting a child are emphasized amid toxic peer pressure The hero tries to model strength for his son but answers with escalating violence
Story (may spoil tone)
A man returns to the idyllic beach of his childhood to surf with his son. When he is humiliated by a group of locals, the man is drawn into a conflict that keeps rising and pushes him to his breaking point.
What we flagged
Details
Violence Beatings, rock attacks, shootings and cruel humiliation escalate on the…
Beatings, rock attacks, shootings and cruel humiliation escalate on the beach
Language Very frequent f-words, harsh insults and an infrequent c-word during bu…
Very frequent f-words, harsh insults and an infrequent c-word during bullying confrontations
Sex / nudity Sex references appear without a full sex scene
Sex references appear without a full sex scene
Drugs / alcohol Characters smoke a hallucinogenic substance, with a pipe visible on scr…
Characters smoke a hallucinogenic substance, with a pipe visible on screen
Frightening Relentless psychological torment and cult-like threats keep building dr…
Relentless psychological torment and cult-like threats keep building dread
Self-harm / suicide Suicide occurs on screen with bloody detail, and past parental suicide…
Suicide occurs on screen with bloody detail, and past parental suicide is discussed
Sexual violence Implied underage exploitation talk appears
Implied underage exploitation talk appears
Child peril / abuse A teen son is caught amid beach intimidation
A teen son is caught amid beach intimidation
Bullying / discrimination Locals harass and assault outsiders through organized, humiliating crue…
Locals harass and assault outsiders through organized, humiliating cruelty
Gore / death / weapons Bloody fistfights and improvised weapons; gore stays mostly at thriller…
Bloody fistfights and improvised weapons; gore stays mostly at thriller level
Dangerous behaviour Stand-your-ground escalation can glamorize risky confrontation
Stand-your-ground escalation can glamorize risky confrontation
Eating disorders / body image No eating found in this title
No eating found in this title
Mental health Grief, humiliation and unstable rage drive the protagonist's spiral
Grief, humiliation and unstable rage drive the protagonist's spiral
Gambling No gambling found in this title
No gambling found in this title
Grief / bereavement Loss of a parent and a fractured family history fuel the emotional arc
Loss of a parent and a fractured family history fuel the emotional arc
Flashing lights We have not confirmed whether this version contains flashing lights.
We have not confirmed whether this version contains flashing lights.
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Talk after watching
- Local bullies enforce cruel rules on the beach. How do groups use fear to control outsiders?
- The hero models toughness for his son. What does healthy strength look like in real life?
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The Surfer
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