Pig (2021)
91%RT Audience Score: 84%
Awards & Nominations: 35 wins & 69 nominations
Like the animal itself, Pig defies the hogwash of expectations with a beautiful odyssey of loss and love anchored by Nicolas Cage’s affectingly raw performance.
If you’re looking for a movie that’s equal parts heartwarming and heartbreaking, Pig is the perfect choice. Nicolas Cage delivers a performance that’s both subtle and powerful, reminding us all why he’s an Oscar winner. And if you’re a foodie, you’ll love the scenes in the kitchen – they’ll make you want to cook up a storm. But fair warning, you might shed a tear or two. Overall, Pig is a must-watch for anyone who loves a good story and great acting.
Production Company(ies)
CNN Films, HBO Max Tremolo Productions,
Distributor
Neon
Release Type
Streaming, Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
Portland, Oregon, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for language and some violence
Year of Release
2021
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby
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Aspect ratio:2.39 : 1
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Runtime:1h 32m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United Kingdom
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jul 16, 2021 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 3, 2021
Genre(s)
Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Nicolas Cage, Alex Wolff, Adam Arkin, Nina Belforte, Cassandra Violet, Julia Bray, directed by Michael Sarnoski, written by Michael Sarnoski, drama, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Wenlei Ma, Jake Wilson, Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, Simran Hans, Clarisse Loughrey, Linda Marric, Sean Axmaker, Ruben Peralta Rigaud, Dan Bayer, Kyle Smith, Carla Hay, Nicolas Cage as Rob, Alex Wolff as Amir, Adam Arkin as Darius, Nina Belforte as Charlotte, Cassandra Violet as Lori, Julia Bray as Bree, produced by Vanessa Block, Dimitra Tsingou, Thomas Benski, Ben Giladi, Dori A Rath, Joseph Restaino, David Carrico, Adam Paulsen, Steve Tisch, MPAA rating R, truffle hunter, stolen pig, Portland, Oregon wilderness, melancholic, poignant, loss, love, affectingly raw performance, emotional, meditative, reflective, character study, nuanced, accessible, compassionate, humane, encouraging, force for good, urgency of time, passions, selective families, Nicolas Cage’s finest performance, surprising narrative, profound messages, well-written, well-acted, profound messages, twists and turns, emotionally moving story, standout performance
Worldwide gross: $3,848,270
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $4,185,404
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,222
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 456,424
US/Canada gross: $3,186,668
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $3,465,842
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,911
US/Canada opening weekend: $970,935
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $1,055,995
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,272
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Alex Wolff – Amir
Adam Arkin – Darius
Nina Belforte – Charlotte
Cassandra Violet – Lori
Julia Bray – Bree (Formerly Tweakette)
Michael Sarnoski – Director/Writer
Vanessa Block – Producer
Dimitra Tsingou – Producer
Thomas Benski – Producer
Ben Giladi – Producer
Dori A. Rath – Producer
Joseph Restaino – Producer
David Carrico – Producer
Adam Paulsen – Producer
Steve Tisch – Producer
Director(s)
Michael Sarnoski
Writer(s)
Michael Sarnoski
Producer(s)
Vanessa Block, Dimitra Tsingou, Thomas Benski, Ben Giladi, Dori A. Rath, Joseph Restaino, David Carrico, Adam Paulsen, Steve Tisch, Nicolas Cage
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
35 wins & 69 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (258) | Top Critics (42) | Fresh (249) | Rotten (9)
If you have an open mind, you will be rewarded with a melancholic and poignant story, and a superb, triumphant performance from Cage who has no trouble reminding audiences that he is an Oscar winner capable of incredible range and depth.
November 2, 2021 | Rating: 3.5/5
Wenlei Ma
News.com.au
TOP CRITIC
There are few actors who could pull off this tonal balancing act as successfully as Cage… Over the years, some have questioned how far he’s in on his own joke — but at this point, there’s no doubting his finely tuned sense of the ridiculous.
October 13, 2021 | Rating: 3.5/5
Jake Wilson
The Age (Australia)
TOP CRITIC
A deeply moving film with twists and turns that few could see coming, Pig is – amongst other things – a timely reminder of just how good Nicolas Cage is at his job.
September 22, 2021 | Rating: 5/5
Alexandra Heller-Nicholas
ABC Radio (Australia)
TOP CRITIC
Though the film is teed up as a kind of John Wick-style revenge bender, Cage’s star persona is soon smartly subverted.
August 21, 2021 | Rating: 3/5
Simran Hans
Observer (UK)
TOP CRITIC
Pig shouldn’t be a revelation to anyone who’s been following these men’s careers, but it’s a perfect reminder of how easily we can underestimate people.
August 20, 2021 | Rating: 4/5
Clarisse Loughrey
Independent (UK)
TOP CRITIC
Action-packed and yet gently meditative.
August 20, 2021 | Rating: 4/5
Linda Marric
The Jewish Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
[Nicolas Cage] brings a grace to his scenes in the kitchen, showing us a man whose respect for the raw materials of his dishes borders on spiritual and whose ease with the tools of the trade reveals a mastery born of experience.
July 5, 2022
Sean Axmaker
Stream on Demand
Tranquil, and sensible.
[Full review in Spanish]
May 16, 2022
Ruben Peralta Rigaud
Cocalecas
A stunning, spellbinding piece of cinema.
May 10, 2022 | Rating: 8/10
Dan Bayer
Next Best Picture
Dark, brooding yet surprisingly sentimental, Pig takes a simple concept of a truffle hunter looking for his stolen pig and turns this offbeat mystery into an emotionally moving story. The film’s main appeal is a standout performance by Nicolas Cage.
April 18, 2022
Carla Hay
Culture Mix
At no point did I forget that I was watching a Nicolas Cage performance. This supposedly heartfelt little drama feels forced from beginning to end.
March 9, 2022
Kyle Smith
National Review
Like finding a truffle in the mud, Pig may be rough around the edges but offers something very different. If you only see one of the three Nicolas Cage films out this year, make it this.
March 3, 2022 | Rating: 4/5
James Luxford
City AM…
Plot
With his only connection to the outside world lying in Portland businessman Amir, taciturn, meditative hermit Rob has found solace deep in the heart of the dense Oregon forests and the unique bond with his only companion: his beloved truffle-hunting pig. Tired of grappling with the profound sadness of prolonged grief, Rob relies on a simple daily routine to keep his sanity, self-respect, and dignity, utterly unaware that he has already caught unwanted attention. Now, his best friend is missing, and revenge can only make things worse. Indeed, strange as it sounds, inconsolable Rob only wants his pig back, and if he has to, he’ll go to the edge of the world to find her. But first things first. Who has Rob’s pig?
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Nicolas Cage gives a “standout performance” in Pig, according to Fresh Kernels.
Michael-Sarnoski.jpg
