Now playing in theaters across the country is the sci-fi thriller, Arcadian.
Arcadian stars Nicolas Cage, Jaeden Martell, and Maxwell Jenkins.
Since this movie is currently playing in theaters, I’ll use the official synopsis so as not to giveaway any spoilers, I will use the official film synopsis.
In a near future, normal life on Earth has been decimated. Paul and his two sons, Thomas and Joseph, have been living a half-life – tranquility by day and torment by night. Every night, after the sun sets, they face the unrelenting attacks of a mysterious and violent evil. One day, when Thomas doesn’t return home before sundown, Paul must leave the safety of their fortified farm to find him. A nightmarish battle ensues that forces the family to execute a desperate plan to survive.
First and foremost, Nicolas Cage must be one of the hardest working men in Hollywood. It seems like every other week he is coming out with a new movie, whether it’s in theaters or direct to digital. As per IMDB, he’s been in 117 films, with 3 upcoming releases.
Nicolas Cage films are sometimes hit or miss. For me personally I’d say I like about 75% of his films. There have been a few here and there that left me scratching my head as to why he’d do the film, but for the most part his films are entertaining. This film was no exception. It kept my interest from start to finish. There were a few times it seemed to drag a little bit, and it’s a “slow burn,” but overall I enjoyed the film.
Jaden Martell I know from the It films. As for Maxwell Jenkins this is the first film I have seen him in.
I was wondering why this film was titled Arcadian. Since Paul and his son’s live out in the rural countryside and not in a town or city, I knew it wasn’t the name of the place where they resided. When I Googled what “arcadian” means it said “a person who lives a simple quiet life.” Paul and his son’s do live a simple, quiet life all while trying to avoid the creatures that come out at night.
There are alien monsters in this film, but I wouldn’t call it a “creature feature” film. You don’t really get a good look at them until half way into the film. The bulk of the creature interactions come in the last 20+ minutes of the film.
The creatures remind me of a mixture of a Jibber Jabber toy, the “elastic face” monster in Beetlejuice, and a porcupine. Try envisioning that. Ha Ha.
It’s not easy to get a really good look at the creatures because they move too face. When they are attacking their heads shake back and forth violently and their mouths move up and down at a freakishly fast pace. I know I would never want to encounter one.
The way the creatures move in a group is comical. I think the film makers did an injustice to the creatures by making them pile up on one another and move like a giant wheel (no kidding). I found that to be very laughable.
This is a dark and dreary film too. No sunny blue skies here. It’s just very dreary the entire time. Since the creatures come out at night, a lot of the action takes place in the dark too.
I don’t know the film’s rating, but I would guess PG-13. It has a run time of about an hour and a half.
Look for Arcadian at a theater new you.
Arcadian is distributed by RLJE Films. They are part of the AMC Network. Be sure to check them out on social media to keep up-to-date on new and upcoming movie releases.
Below you’ll find the trailer for your enjoyment.
Kimberly
*I received a free screener in order to review this film. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.
