First trailer for David Gordon Green’s Joe with Nicolas Cage brings the rage

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

Director David Gordon Green (SNOW ANGELS, PINEAPPLE EXPRESS, PRINCE AVALANCHE) has had a mixed bag of a career, going from indie fare to high concept comedy and then back again to the indie world. He’s had success in both genres, however, and with his newest entry, JOE, it looks like he’ll have another check in the block for the independents. Starring Nicolas Cage as an ex-con with a “rage” problem that helps out a young boy in need of guidance, the film debuted at TIFF last year (our review here) and is now gearing up for a theatrical release. Today, we have our first look at the trailer, which exudes a gritty and dangerous feel.

Meet JOE:

Here’s the synopsis:

An ex-con, who is the unlikeliest of role models, meets a 15-year-old boy and is faced with the choice of redemption or ruin.

A lot of people have compared JOE to Matthew McConaughey‘s MUD, as they both feature an ex-con helping out a younger kid(s), but I think each is distinct enough to stand on its own. While McConaughey has turned his career around in the promising way of late, one can only hope that Cage does the same, starting with the theatrical release of JOE. If anything, it would be nice to see the actor shine on the big screen in a small film again. He seems to do his best work there anyway (LEAVING LAS VEGAS is what got him an Oscar, after all).

JOE is set to hit theaters on April 11, 2014.