Nicolas Cage is one of the most prolific actors in Hollywood whose name has become synonymous with versatility and eccentricity. Since the 1980s, Nic Cage has been an ever-present source of entertainment, gracing our screens in a wide variety of genres. From mainstream action movies like National Treasure, to coming-of-age comedy dramas like Fast Times at Ridgemont High, and even animated features like Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Cage’s range knows no bounds, with credits in over 120 movies. In fact, the actor is not slowing down any time soon, as Nic Cage has plenty of upcoming movies slated for release.

However, one movie which stands out in Cage’s filmography is a John Wick-style Nic Cage movie released four years ago. Keanu Reeves’ John Wick has become a mᴀssive franchise since the first movie debuted in 2014, encompᴀssing four films, a TV series, various comics and games, and the upcoming Ballerina spinoff movie. The $1 billion ᴀssᴀssin-filled franchise boasts a comedically dry tone and features impressive “gun fu,” making it an extremely likable series. Consequently, there has been a rise in John Wick-like movies, with movies like Wrath of Man, Novocaine, and Extraction following a similar narrative, demonstrating its impact.

Nicolas Cage’s Pig Is A Major Netflix Success

The 2021 “John Wick-Style” Thriller Is Trending

Released in 2021, Pig is a drama starring Nic Cage, which was written and directed by Michael Sarnoski (A Quiet Place: Day One) as his feature directorial debut. The movie follows reclusive truffle-hunter Robin “Rob” Feld, who must confront his past in Portland when his beloved foraging pig is kidnapped. However, while Pig was highly praised by critics, winning the Independent Spirit Award for Best First Screenplay and earning Cage’s second nomination for Best Actor at the Critics’ Choice Movie Awards, the Nic Cage movie was a box office disappointment, grossing just $4.6 million on a $3 million budget.

According to data from FlixPatrol, Nic Cage’s Pig currently ranks at number 4 in Netflix’s Top 10 movies in the United States today. The John Wick-like thriller sits behind 2024’s animated hit The Wild Robot, Netflix’s Fear Street: Prom Queen, and Mark Wahlber’s 2018 movie Instant Family. In fact, 2021’s Pig even manages to beat Tom Hardy’s recent Netflix original, Havoc, and animated box office hits, Home and Despicable Me 4. Therefore, Pig’s trending position on the charts is a considerably impressive feat considering Nic Cage’s film was first released four years ago, and was a box office flop.

Our Take On Pig’s Streaming Success

Pig Is One Of Nic Cage’s Best Performances

Despite the rave reviews by critics, Pig was not a commercial success at the time of its release, and this was due to a number of reasons. The main reason was that marketing for Pig framed the film to look like a John Wick rip-off, as the premise for both films sees Rob and John hunting down people who have taken away their beloved pets. However, the 2021 film is actually anything but. Pig is actually a rather tame affair, with Nic Cage delivering a wonderfully emotional performance as the defeated Rob, which directly contrasts with John Wick’s action-packed narrative.

However, the misleading marketing does not affect Pig’s quality. Although the movie is not the high-octane movie it was hinted to be, Pig is considered by many to be Nic Cage’s best performance. With an impressive 97% score on Rotten Tomatoes, the movie explores the themes of loss and idenтιтy in a distinctly interesting way, setting itself apart from Cage’s previous works, making Pig an emotional ride. Therefore, it’s no surprise that the movie has found itself becoming a streaming success, especially as Nic Cage himself revealed Pig to be his top movie recommendation, and it deserves nothing less.

Source: FlixPatrol