The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent sees Nicolas Cage as he has never been seen before--as himself. Playing a fictionalized version of himself, "Nick Cage," the celebrated actor pokes fun at his own life and career in a surprisingly entertaining action-comedy, which also stars Pedro Pascal, Tiffany Haddish, and Neil Patrick Harris.
Though Massive Talent is rather unique in its approach to its premise, it is not the first film to venture into such territory. Indeed, there exist in Hollywood's catalog several films that viewers who loved Massive Talent are sure to enjoy.
Killing Hasselhoff (2017)
Killing Hasselhoff is a 2017 action-comedy starring Ken Jeong, Jim Jefferies, and, of course, David Hasselhoff. In the film, in order to pay off a loan shark, a man's last hope is to win a celebrity death pool by organizing the death of David Hasselhoff.
Much like The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, Killing Hasselhoff includes plenty of meta-comedy based on the main star's life and career, poking fun at a personality that has been in the public eye for years. Much like the caricature of Nic Cage drawn in Massive Talent, David Hasselhoff is able to make fun of himself in a comedy that doesn't quite reach the same peaks but still offers a reliably fun time.
Adaptation (2002)
For any fans of Nicolas Cage's career, Adaptation is a must-watch. Adaptation is one of Nicolas Cage's very best films, which earned him his second Oscar nomination. In the 2002 film, he plays two roles, both screenwriter Charlie Kaufman and his identical twin brother Donald.
Adaptation gets a few sly callbacks in Massive Talent, due in part to the depicted relationship between Nic Cage and the imaginary version of himself that he confers with frequently. This dual role feels reminiscent of Cage's double role in the Spike Jonze film, making it essential for fans who loved the dynamic of two Nic Cages interacting with one another.
Zoolander (2001)
Zoolander is a terrific comedy starring Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, and Will Ferrell. Stiller and Wilson portray a pair of air-headed models that stumble upon a sinister plot to assassinate the Malaysian prime minister at one of their fashion shows.
Much like Nicolas Cage's latest film, Zoolander deals with a star on the outs with his professional community who is in a desperate search for self-actualization now that he has lost the quality that he thought made him special. This film is perfect for fans who enjoyed the lighter, more comedic side of Massive Talent and are looking for a similarly light-hearted film to watch next.
My Name Is Bruce (2007)
My Name Is Bruce sees Bruce Campbell play a fictional version of himself, who is mistaken for the real version of one of his horror movie characters and must fight a real-life monster just like he does in the movies. The film leans heavily into Campbell's previous work with Sam Raimi in the Evil Dead films.
For viewers who especially enjoyed the premise of The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent wherein Nic Cage pokes fun at his own action star career by playing a fictional version of himself, My Name is Bruce is very a very similar project for the horror genre. While it does not have the same artistic touch as Massive Talent, it is a must-watch for anyone who loves Bruce Campbell and the Evil Dead franchise.
Space Jam (1996)
Given its incredible cultural significance, it can be easy to forget that Space Jam is a film based on a commercial. Stemming from an incredibly popular advertisement that saw NBA star Michael Jordan playing basketball with certain Looney Tunes characters, this feature-length film saw the basketball player team up with the classic cartoons for one last game to win their freedom from the Monstars.
In this film, Michael Jordan is at a similar point in his career as Nic Cage is in Massive Talent (both fictionally and in real life). After leaving the basketball scene behind, Jordan seeks a new purpose in life, only to be called back to the very profession he had given up for one last ride. Though Jordan's journey is decidedly more cartoony than Cage's, both A-List stars must regain their passion for the profession that made them who they are.
The Interview (2014)
The Interview is a somewhat infamous film that saw James Franco and Seth Rogen play interviewers tasked with assassinating Kim Jong Un (Randall Park). The film is perhaps better known, however, for its delayed release as a result of the real-life Kim Jong Un's threats upon any theaters that would screen it.
The premise of The Interview is surprisingly similar to that of Massive Talent. For fans who particularly enjoyed the aspect of Cage's journey wherein he must infiltrate a dangerous enemy's home turf by making friends with their impressionable leader, The Interview offers a very familiar series of events, albeit with the signature "stoner" humor that comedians like James Franco and Seth Rogen have become known for.
JCVD (2008)
JCVD is a film starring action movie star Jean-Claude Van Damme in which he plays a fictional version of himself who reflects on the highs and lows of his film career after being caught up in a hostage situation. Van Damme would return to this well years later for his Amazon series Jean-Claude Van Johnson.
Jean-Claude Van Damme seems to be quite adept at poking fun of himself in meta-films based on his own career, much like Nicolas Cage. JCVD parallels Massive Talent in this regard, though it leans less heavily into comedy, focusing more on the dramatic and action-heavy moments. For viewers who were especially enthralled by the third-act action sequences in Massive Talent, Van Damme's own meta-film is certainly worth checking out.
Birdman (2014)
Birdman (or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) is an Oscar-winning masterpiece starring Michael Keaton as a former superhero actor that has seen the end of his glory days in the limelight. Filmed as if it were one continuous shot, the film explores themes of fame and the pursuit of meaning.
This film is worthy of mention not only because of its numerous Academy Award wins, which include Best Picture, but also for launching a new renaissance for Michael Keaton's career. Birdman sees a Michael Keaton in a very similar career divot as Nic Cage himself has suffered in recent years, perhaps indicating that, much as was the case for Keaton, Cage may be back in the spotlight to stay.
Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022)
Everything Everywhere All At Once is the latest voice in the ever-growing catalog of films depicting a multiverse. Despite the density of films in this vein, the Michelle Yeoh-led movie features a multiverse very different from the MCU's, showing multiple sides of one character in a desperate search for meaning.
This multi-dimensional dramedy is worth a watch for anyone seeking another unique moviegoing experience after witnessing The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent. Not only does it challenge the very classification of its genre, but it also offers a surprisingly heartfelt story about love and self-acceptance. For viewers who loved Massive Talent, they may find similar enjoyment in Everything Everywhere, which just might be playing in the theater next door.
Being John Malkovich (1999)
Being John Malkovich is a cult-classic 1999 film that, as the title implies, sees the eponymous actor playing a satirical version of himself in a bizarre and fantastical world representative of his own mind. The film was also the debut for screenwriter Charlie Kaufman, whom Nicolas Cage would portray in Adaptation three years later.
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent seems heavily inspired by the best parts of Being John Malkovich. Though the more recent of these films appears to be more accessible to the everyday audience, it clearly takes cues from the absurd comedy that came over twenty years earlier. Viewers that are interested in seeing a film that undoubtedly inspired Nic Cage's latest cinematic endeavor simply must look into the 1999 film that started it all.