Cage Match: The Trust (2016)

Nicolas Cage delivers an underrated performance in “The Trust”, a quirky heist thriller that blends offbeat humor with suspenseful twists.

This week’s Cage Match (as chosen by the random number generator from Cage’s entire filmography) was the crowd-pleasing National Treasure (though it only pleased 50% of this crowd).

For the People’s Pick, we put two other Cage films with heist plots up for a vote: The Trust (2016) and Stolen (2012). Your heart was stolen by The Trust, which handily won in our poll, but does this under-the-radar thriller end up thrilling us? Will Cage’s goofy, caper-chasing cop deliver a less polarizing performance than his scenery-chewing Declaration of Independence-stealing historian? Let’s find out!

IN THIS CORNER: KELLY MINTZER

The Lowdown 

The grand Nicolas Cage experiment is really challenging my perspective as a reviewer. In the comparatively short time that Steph and I have been on this fool’s errand, we have plumbed the very depths of cinematic everything-ness…from the divine to the deeply stupid and everything in between. While that is to be expected, what has been surprising has been my shift regarding the in-betweens.

Because here’s the thing: I can’t remember much about The Trust, but I found it really pleasant.

The Trust—for me—was the cinematic equivalent of cotton candy. It spent a delicious second on my tongue and then immediately vanished. I’ve almost never had a movie erase itself so quickly from my brain. This sounds bad. But it’s not. Because while I can’t remember a lot of plot details at all—it’s a heist movie, with Nic Cage as sort of a delightful elder statesman of a cop, leading his buddy and protege, Elijah Wood, down the path of iniquity—it was enjoyable!

I liked watching it, and I remember liking watching it. I just can’t possibly provide specifics, just the shape.

Ok, so we’ve got a heist movie, which is always fun. But what makes the movie work—and what I remember vividly—is the chemistry between the two leads. Wood and Cage are both in great form. Our man of the hour is particularly delightful. Cage is fun to watch in this, and it seems like he’s having a good time. He’s funny! His mustache is horrible! I love this fucking guy.

The Cage Factor:

This is a Cautious Cage, with very little caution. It’s a quick, fun way to pass the evening. What risk remains? I can’t possibly call it essential. Cage is a hell of a lot of fun with it, but any movie that poofs from my brain so quickly, I cannot give the Cage Fighter stamp (even if my own failing memory is to blame!)

AND IN THIS CORNER: STEPHANIE MALONE

The Lowdown 

The Trust is an underrated, off-kilter heist film—it’s a strange, genre-bending experience that thrives on its unpredictability and the chemistry between its leads.

Directed by Alex and Ben Brewer (both of whom worked on the Cage vehicle Arcadian; Ben directed and Alex did visual effects), this 2016 film takes a quirky detour from the typical heist movie formula, blending elements of dark comedy, suspense, and unexpected character dynamics.

The story revolves around two Las Vegas cops, Jim Stone (Nicolas Cage) and David Waters (Elijah Wood), who work in the evidence room. Both are bored and disillusioned by the mundane nature of their jobs. When Stone stumbles upon a suspiciously large bail receipt, he becomes obsessed with the idea that a hidden safe might contain a fortune. The duo sets off on a mission to infiltrate this vault, but things quickly spiral into a situation far beyond their control.

(Sidenote: I adore that the impetus for the film’s perilous adventure is David’s boredom and passionate hatred for his job.)

The Brewer brothers navigate the delicate balance between dark comedy and crime thriller with surprising skill. The narrative oscillates between absurd humor and genuine suspense, never allowing the audience to settle too comfortably. This duality keeps the film engaging throughout its tight 93-minute runtime.

The chemistry between Cage and Wood is the absolute highlight.

Wood’s portrayal of David Waters is a fantastic counterbalance to Cage’s manic energy. He’s the reluctant, morally conflicted sidekick, embodying a quiet, almost apathetic dread. Their dynamic is reminiscent of classic odd-couple pairings; Cage is the unpredictable, overzealous mentor, while Wood’s character is the skeptical, weary apprentice.

Their interplay injects much of the film’s humor, yet it’s tinged with a sense of inevitable doom.

Visually, the film makes great use of its Las Vegas setting. The city is presented not in its usual glamorous light but as a bleak, almost desolate landscape filled with empty parking lots, rundown motels, and dimly lit back alleys. This aesthetic choice adds a gritty realism to the film, grounding its more absurd elements.

There is a strange and jarring tonal shift at the film’s halfway point that could turn off some viewers as the film transitions from a quirky buddy-cop setup heavy on humor to a tense and much darker thriller. But this unexpected shift is part of the film’s charms; it keeps you guessing and excels by subverting expectations.

While it might not be a genre-defining classic, it’s a gripping, entertaining watch that deserves more attention than it initially received.

The Cage Factor:

Known for his bombastic, over-the-top acting style, Cage dials it back just enough to deliver a nuanced portrayal of a man who’s far more cunning and unpredictable than he initially appears. At first glance, Jim Stone seems like a run-of-the-mill, slightly goofy cop—Cage brings a palpable sense of disillusionment to the role, portraying Stone as a put-upon “good guy” yearning for respect and the chance to feel significant.

As the plot thickens, Cage starts unraveling Stone’s complexities layer by layer. There’s a quiet menace to him, especially in scenes where his character’s motivations are unclear. Is Stone just a guy trying to escape his humdrum life, or is there something more sinister lurking behind his seemingly naïve enthusiasm? Cage leaves you guessing.

It’s a joy to watch him toe the line between comedy and threat—he’s like a live wire, making even the simplest lines sound like a potential time bomb.

I fall short of calling The Trust essential viewing for Cage fans, but I’d definitely call it a worthwhile watch. It captures a rare side of the actor that isn’t entirely unhinged but is far from subdued. This performance is quintessentially Cage because it reminds us why he’s such a captivating screen presence: he manages to be both the film’s comedic relief and its most menacing figure.