Nicolas Cage has the rare gift of taking his performance to the extreme and having the courage to turn it inside out. Regardless of the genre, his performances’ shamanic intensity distinguishes him from other actors. Years into his career, he’s still pushing the envelope.
Many argue that the later part of his career has become a direct-to-video catalog. But even with his golden days behind him, he’s still got a few outstanding performances like ‘Pig.’ With more than 100 film credits, there are some underappreciated Nicolas Cage movies fans need to learn about.
Related: Top 10 Underrated Shinobi In ‘Naruto’
10 Most Underrated Nicolas Cage Movies
10. Dog Eat Dog (2016)
Nicolas Cage’s only condition was to play the straight guy in Paul Schrader’s gonzo crime drama. The film doesn’t work, but it’s a joy to watch Cage play a criminal trying to get on the straight and narrow, only to return to old habits.
9. Red Rock West (1993)
A southern Neo-noir where Nicolas Cage dials it down and lets the other actor chew the scenery. While looking for an honest day’s work, Nicolas Cage meets Dennis Hopper’s character. While the latter is over the top, Cage does more with less.
8. Bringing Out The Dead (1999)
Nicolas Cage was in a Martin Scorsese movie! He stars as a burnt-out paramedic who begins to hallucinate about all the lives he couldn’t save. Cage is aggrieved, exhausted, and sensational in a straining dramatic performance.
7. Honeymoon In Vegas (1992)
A strange but sweet film, a largely forgotten film from Nic Cage’s filmography. It plays like a comedic version of ‘Indecent Proposal.‘ As a down-on-luck gambler Jack Singer, Cage fully explores his ‘aw shucks’ persona and genius comedic timing.
6. Matchstick Men (2004)
An underrated film with an underrated Nicolas Cage performance. He plays a con man with OCD who discovers he has a daughter. While trying to father and mentor his daughter, Cage successfully pulls the emotional balance and his performance demands here.
5. The Weather Man (2005)
Nicolas Cage plays a middle-aged weatherman going through a middle-life crisis in ‘The Weather Man.’ Undoubtedly, his most restrained and poignant performance will make you evaluate yourself in moments of much-needed introspection.
In Case You Missed: Nicolas Cage Reveals His Lesser Known Film Appearance, Talks About DC Role He Wants To Play
4. Bad Lieutenant: Port Of Call New Orleans (2009)
Maverick filmmaker/aspiring ASMR artist worked with Nicolas Cage on a black comedy about a cop (if you can call it that). As a pill-popping, boundary-crossing, and occasionally hallucinating officer of the law, Cage lets his freak flag fly.
3. Joe (2013)
Nicolas Cage joined forces with David Gordan Green on the 2013 film ‘Joe,’ where Cage plays the brooding titular hero. He unwittingly becomes the protector of a kid abused by his father. Once again, an understated Cage performance is a beautiful cinematic experience.
2. Kick-Ass (2010)
It’s a shame we didn’t see Cage as Tim Burton’s Superman. But he plays an almost Batman in Matthew Vaughn’s hyper-violent take on superheroes lore. As Big Daddy, Cage is wonderfully weird and deliciously deranged. Too bad he couldn’t return for a full-fledged role in the sequel.
1. Vampire’s Kiss (1988)
Look no further for a film where Nic Cage screams and bites people. Convinced he’s transformed into a vampire, Nic Cage begins to stalk women and becomes the creature of the night in ‘Vampire’s Kiss.’ This Nic Cage performance is his most unrestrained and experimental.
You Might Also Like To Read: Top 25 Underrated Movies of All Time
