The 2007 film Next, starring Nicolas Cage, features a psychic magician whose visions lead to a baffling twist ending that undermines its themes of government overreach. Directed by Lee Tamahori, the movie blends romance, action, and precognition in a story involving a stolen nuclear bomb. Despite its flaws, it remains a fun, discussion-worthy watch for fans.
Next, released in 2007 and directed by Lee Tamahori, follows Cris Johnson, played by Nicolas Cage, a Las Vegas magician who performs under the stage name Frank Cadillac. Cris possesses the ability to see two minutes into his own future, a power he uses in his act and daily life. The plot intertwines his search for a woman from his recurring visions, Liz Cooper portrayed by Jessica Biel, with a national security crisis: a missing Russian nuclear bomb stolen by terrorists.
Julianne Moore stars as NSA Agent Callie Ferris, who seeks Cris's help to locate the bomb before it detonates. As Cris pursues Liz, their relationship develops rapidly, marked by uncomfortable dynamics and a condensed timeline that spans just hours. Scenes highlight Cris's precognition through casino escapes and fights, where he dodges dangers with near-misses, though the execution often feels gimmicky.
The film draws from Philip K. Dick's short story The Golden Man, originally emphasizing government persecution of mutants. In Next, this evolves into questions of ethics, torture, and anti-authoritarianism, but the narrative falters. A poignant conversation reveals Cris's childhood trauma from being studied, yet it's quickly undone by his visions resetting events.
The twist ending resets the story: after the bomb explodes in Cris's vision, the scene returns to his hotel morning with Liz. Realizing the future can change, Cris leaves to cooperate with the NSA, trusting Agent Ferris despite prior aggression. This resolution disregards established tensions, leaving the bomb's threat unresolved and the message muddled.
As reviewer Catie McCarthy notes, "Next is one of those movies that needs to be seen to be believed," praising its potential amid woeful execution. It joins Cage's eclectic filmography, like The Wicker Man, as infuriatingly fun for group viewings and analysis.