“Gunslingers” features Cage as Ben, a character who frequently quotes the Bible while assisting a former outlaw, played by Stephen Dorff. Their attempt to escape their past by settling in a tranquil town is disrupted when old adversaries come knocking. With a dismal 5% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a similarly low audience score, it’s understandable if “Gunslingers” slipped under your radar.

Whether you enjoy seeing Nicolas Cage at his most eccentric enough to endure a lackluster film is up to you. However, the movie is available for streaming on Netflix if you’re curious. Films like these often leave one wondering if there are any roles Cage actually declines.

During the 2010s, Nicolas Cage was known for churning out a series of forgettable B-movies, reportedly to address some financial issues. However, in the 2020s, he made significant strides in revamping his career. His role in the character-driven drama “Pig” earned him critical acclaim, reminiscent of his Oscar-nominated performance in “Adaptation” nearly two decades earlier. In “The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent,” he humorously tackled his career and persona in a delightful action-comedy. Critics hailed his performance in the high-concept film “Dream Scenario” as a testament to his acting talent.

After the 2010s saw Nicolas Cage fire off a barrage of forgettable B-movies — apparently to help get out of some financial trouble — the actor actually took strides to turn his career around in the 2020s. Character drama “Pig” brought him some of the biggest plaudits for his acting chops he’d received since his Oscar-nominated turn in “Adaptation” nearly 20 years prior. “The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent” saw him poke fun at his career and reputation in a delightful action comedy romp. And the high-concept “Dream Scenario” had critics declaring that Cage was at the top of his game in terms of his acting prowess.

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.