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Nicolas Cage movie 'Pig' scores 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes amid critical acclaim

Nicolas Cage is receiving hugely positive critical notices for his work in new thriller 'Pig'. (Neon/Altitude)
Nicolas Cage is receiving hugely positive critical notices for his work in new thriller 'Pig'. (Neon/Altitude)

Nicolas Cage is earning some of the best reviews of his career for new movie Pig, which has earned a formidable 97% approval score on aggregator Rotten Tomatoes.

The new thriller, which also features Hereditary breakout star Alex Wolff, was released in the US last week and is due to land in UK cinemas in August.

Read more: Nicolas Cage actually searched for the Holy Grail

In the movie — director Michael Sarnoski's debut feature — Cage plays a reclusive truffle forager who is assaulted by mysterious attackers and loses his beloved truffle pig in the process.

The critical consensus statement on Rotten Tomatoes summarises the response to the film by saying it "defies the hogwash of expectations with a beautiful odyssey of loss and love anchored by Nicolas Cage's affectingly raw performance".

Watch: Alex Wolff discusses working with Nicolas Cage in Pig

Pig is currently Cage's highest-rated film according to Rotten Tomatoes, based on 126 reviews counted at the time of writing.

It is rated just ahead of 1993 neo-noir thriller Red Rock West (95%) and Cher-led comedy Moonstruck (94%).

The film for which Cage won his Oscar, 1995's Leaving Las Vegas, has a 90% approval score on the site.

Read more: Nicolas Cage examines his own famous roles

Variety referred to Pig as "a showcase for Cage's brilliance" while Richard Roeper of the Chicago Sun-Times wrote that "the unpredictable Cage delivers some of his best work in years".

'Pig' sees Nicolas Cage investigating the kidnapping of his beloved truffle pig. (Neon/Altitude)
Pig sees Nicolas Cage investigating the kidnapping of his beloved truffle pig. (Neon/Altitude)

While Pig may see Cage on more subdued form, he is set to embrace the full force of his meta fame with upcoming movie The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent.

The film will feature Cage as a fictionalised version of himself who accepts a big money offer to attend the birthday party of a super fan, played by Pedro Pascal.

Read more: Brad Pitt was first choice for Cage's role in Kick-Ass

It transpires that the fan is a drug lord and, in order to save his wife and daughter, Cage must become versions of his most famous characters.

Pig is due to be released in UK cinemas on 20 August, while The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent will arrive in April 2022.

Watch: Nicolas Cage discusses acting alongside a pig