The end credits evoke a familiar Cold War atmosphere. This is really an excellent film. "It’s not safe for you." That was a sweet moment, with a tiny cry at the very end—such a good dog! It avoids some predictable conventions. The earlier scene and the absence of a certain trope are noteworthy. The brief apocalyptic sequence was brilliant. It doesn't have to be factual, and it doesn’t need to be real, b…

Having followed Nic Cage’s career for years, I anticipated a lot from Arcadian based on the trailer, which suggested a familiar premise with room for fresh ideas. Ultimately, though, it felt like experiencing two separate films at once; while I found merit in each portion individually, they didn't quite mesh well together. The movie initially establishes itself with a realistic and relatable storyline. Cage gives …

I really didn’t expect to like this as much as I did. The film presents some genuinely frightening creatures, so each evening the father (Nicolas Cage) must secure his two sons, Joseph (Jaeden Martell) and Thomas (Maxwell Jenkins), and himself inside their house, relying on their defenses until daylight arrives. It's true that the premise isn’t groundbreaking, but it moves along at a good clip; Thomas's curiosity lea…

It's gratifying to witness Nicolas Cage appearing in a movie that seems worthy of his abilities. Arcadian isn’t a standout horror thriller, but the elements it presents are handled adequately enough to warrant some appreciation. The narrative is functional, bringing to mind "A Quiet Place" from 2018; while the central idea differs, the monster designs and the rural environment share similarities. The suspense b…