Nicolas Cage‘s latest film takes a surprising turn. Arcadian, a survival horror set in a dystopian future, features terrifying creatures that draw unexpected inspiration from Disney’s beloved Goofy.
A Childhood Fear Fuels Monstrous Creation
In a recent interview with IGN, director Ben Brewer has revealed the shocking source behind the film’s distinctive monsters. “From the beginning, I had this idea of big nocturnal eyes and massive spaced-out teeth, teeth way too big for the creature’s mouth,” Brewer explained. He dropped the unexpected bomb: “Goofy, the Disney character, was a big inspiration.”
A Goofy Nightmare
Brewer elaborated, citing a specific scene from A Goofy Movie as the catalyst for his monstrous vision. “That’s where the Goofy thing comes in,” he said. “In that film, that dream sequence where Goofy’s son Max has a nightmare about turning into his father… it’s terrifying.” This unsettling image and the idea of “too much personality” being inherently creepy became the foundation for Arcadian’s monstrous foes.
A Father-Son Story in a Dangerous World
Arcadian follows Paul (Cage), a father struggling to survive in a near-future wasteland overrun by violent creatures at night. The film takes a dramatic turn when one of Paul’s sons fails to return home before sundown. Forced to venture beyond the safety of his fortified farm, Paul must confront these Goofy-inspired nightmares to save his family. Joining Cage are rising stars Jaeden Martell (IT), Maxwell Jenkins (“Reacher”), and Sadie Soverall (Saltburn).
Brewer, a VFX veteran who worked on the Oscar-winning Everything Everywhere All at Once, shared initial sketches of the creatures with IGN. The resemblance to Goofy is undeniable, albeit a horrifying version.
A Trend of Twisted Cartoons?
Arcadian joins a recent horror film trend that transforms beloved childhood characters into monstrous figures. For example, Winnie the Pooh transformed into a slasher in Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey I and 2. It seems no animated character is safe from a horrifying reimagining.
Head to Theaters Now
Arcadian is currently playing in US theaters. So, if you’re looking for a horror film with a unique twist and a Nicolas Cage performance, check it out. If this news puts you in the mood to rewatch A Goofy Movie, you can find it streaming on Disney+ and Prime.
