“Gunslingers” features Cage in the role of Ben, a sidekick who quotes Bible verses while standing by a former outlaw, played by Stephen Dorff. Their attempt to live quietly in a peaceful town is abruptly disrupted when old adversaries resurface, seeking revenge. With a dismal 5% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, accompanied by a similarly lukewarm audience score, you’re not alone if this film slipped under your radar.

For those who revel in Nicolas Cage’s most extravagant portrayals, “Gunslingers” might just be worth a watch, despite its critical panning. It’s available for streaming on Netflix, should you be curious enough to indulge in Cage’s theatrical flair. However, the film does beg the question: are there any roles Cage actually declines?

The 2010s saw Cage appearing in a slew of forgettable B-movies, reportedly to address financial issues. Yet, the 2020s marked a turning point in his career. The drama “Pig” earned Cage some of the most significant praise for his acting since his Oscar-nominated performance in “Adaptation” nearly two decades ago. Meanwhile, “The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent” allowed him to humorously reflect on his career in a delightful action-comedy. Critics hailed his work in the inventive “Dream Scenario” as evidence of Cage being at the pinnacle of his acting abilities.

To Cage’s credit, he’s well aware of what endears him to audiences. It’s not just his capacity for subtlety in character-driven dramas, but rather the fervent and unpredictable energy he brings to his roles. Fans are drawn to Cage’s willingness to go over-the-top, providing the kind of performances that become instant meme classics. As he ventures into his 60s, Cage shows no signs of abandoning his delightfully unrestrained career path.

Still, Cage can’t seem to stay away from those roles that let him go all wiry and bug-eyed as he absolutely devours the scenery, even when he’s turning in critically acclaimed work. In fact, some of Cage’s most outlandish roles ever were in movies that came out this decade, from the unhinged janitor that has to battle evil animatronics in “Willy’s Wonderland” to one of cinema’s all-time most ridiculous versions of Dracula in “Renfield.” 

To his credit, Cage understands the assignment. He knows why audiences love him so much, and it’s not necessarily his ability to deliver understated performances in intimate character dramas. People want to see Cage unleashed, giving us the deranged line readings and contorted facial expressions that make for great memes. It seems that, even as Cage enters his 60s, he has no intention to step away from his joyously wild career anytime soon.