At a glance, Pig might seem like a typical Nicolas Cage movie. The Oscar winner plays Rob, a disheveled man who lives in the Oregon wilderness with his truffle-hunting pig. Rob has made a living by selling truffles and otherwise keeps to himself until the pig is stolen. What could have transpired from there is a bizarre revenge thriller a la John Wick, but strangely Pig is something completely different. It’s a meditation on grief, familial relationships, and the peace we find in unique places. Don’t overlook Pig just because of the title or first impressions; this is one of the year’s best films.

It’s recommended to go into Pig as blind as possible; the less that viewers know about the nature of the film’s story the better. There are so many unexpected elements in the film that it is a joy discovering where it goes next. Pig proposes a version of Oregon that caters to high-class businesspeople but also lower-class workers just looking to scrape by. In some ways, it’s a bit far-fetched in the places that Rob’s search for his pig takes the viewer, but it never plays those moments in an obvious way.

For as much as the story of Pig is unexpected and emotional, the performances are equally as integral to making the whole thing so special. Cage turns in an unbelievable performance as Rob, bringing a quiet intensity that initially makes this character seem dangerous. Eventually, though, as the layers of the character are peeled back like an onion, there is a surprising amount of depth to Rob. It’s a role that feels tailor-made for Nicolas Cage, both because of the preconceived notions that his casting will bring (and then shatter) and the vulnerability that he can give the character.

Alex Wolff is also exceptional as Amir who can best be described as the truffle broker for Rob’s deals. Amir is sort of like the representative of the audience. He has his own assumptions about Rob and they are slowly shattered the more he comes to learn about him. At the same time, Amir has his own story to tell and the way it weaves into Rob’s quest to recover his pig is surprising in its own right. A lot of the focus is going to be on Cage, but Wolff is in lock-step with him.

Pig is a slow-burn and it’s going to be overlooked or dismissed as something it’s not. Those that do give it a chance, though, will find an exceptionally beautiful tale whose intimacy and meditations on grief are so poignant and heartbreaking that anyone will be able to relate to them. Yes, at times Nicolas Cage is playing this oddball loner, but there is a method to the madness and a brilliance to his casting and performance. The "pig movie" will move you to tears and that’s all anyone needs to know.

Pig is in theaters now.

Pig

Starring Nicolas Cage, Pig centers on a truffle hunter in Oregon who returns to his former home in Portland to track down his beloved pig that was stolen from him. The drama mystery was directed by Michael Sarnoski, who would go on to direct the Quiet Place spinoff titled A Quiet Place: Day One.