Nicolas Cage is an icon. He’s the proud owner of an Oscar — courtesy of his heart-wrenching performance in Leaving Las Vegas — as well as a pet octopus. He’s an enigma who has captured the world’s attention for decades. There’s no denying he’s a skilled master of the trade; however, Nicolas Cage is at his best — or at least, his most entertaining — when he’s unhinged and not holding back. The Wicker Man (2006) may not be fondly remembered, but audiences will never forget Cage’s insanity laced proclamation of “The bees!”
His turn as the world’s most infamous vampire, Dracula, in the Chris McKay (The Lego Batman Movie) directed Renfield is no different. Cage sinks his teeth into the role with a hilarious absurdity reminiscent of the old-school, zany delivery fans have come to expect from the actor.
Cage and McKay were present at The Overlook Film Festival in New Orleans for the film’s world premiere So, in honor of Renfield’s upcoming release, let’s take a look back at five of Nic Cage’s wildest performances on screen.
Also Read: Godless: The Eastfield Exorcism ‘Overlook Film Fest’ Review
Face/Off
You can’t talk about wild Nicolas Cage performances without bringing up John Woo’s over-the-top action masterpiece Face/Off. The plot is somehow simple, yet incredibly non-sensical at the same time. All you really need to know is John Travolta and Nicolas Cage trade faces and the try to kill each other. If you’re not on-board after that, then I don’t know what to tell you. But to top it off, you have Nicolas Cage leaning into insanity full force, followed by John Travolta giving his best Nic Cage impersonation after the two trade places. An insanely fun watch.
Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans
Working as a semi-sequel to the Harvey Keitel led Bad Lieutenant, this Werner Herzog directed film follows Nicolas Cage as a Police Lieutenant with a drug addiction and a wild side. Set in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina’s destructive impact with New Orleans, the drug addled detective works to balance his addiction, and his job as he investigates the brutal murder of five immigrants.
Mom and Dad
Mom and Dad is a gory dark-comedy with zombie apocalypse vibes. Randomly, and without reason, all of the world’s parents violently turn on their own children. Nicolas Cage is a father — playing opposite Selma Blair in the mother role — when they are overcome with an unstoppable urge to kill their two children. Cage — once again — takes advantage of the opportunity to unleash his inner mad man on screen. The film plays off of the expectation that your parents will protect you and keep you safe by asking the question, “What if you dad was Nic Cage and he just went f*&cking nuts?”
Vampire’s Kiss
How fitting is it to celebrate Renfield with Nicolas Cage’s other vampire film, Vampire’s Kiss? Not only because they share the theme of undead blood-suckers, but because Vampire’s Kiss is legitimately one of Cage’s strangest movies, and weirdest performances. And I mean that in the best possible way. Cage plays an unstable (typical) New Yorker who becomes convinced that he’s turning into a vampire. The odd-ball hilarity that ensues have provided content for memes and GIF’s galore.
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Nic Cage playing a version of Nic Cage who hallucinates and talks to a younger Nic Cage. How could this meta-masterpiece not be on the list? It’s love letter to the actor himself and celebrates his storied career in the best way possible. And not only that, but we get some of Cage’s iconic over-the-top delivery and some fantastic moments between him and Pedro Pascal. I’ll never watch Paddington 2 the same way again.
So, there you have it. Five times that Nicolas Cage was… well, uncaged. It’s that frenetic, high-octane energy that we’ve come to expect and love from the actor.
What’s your favorite wild Nic Cage performance?
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