Best Pancakes in the County Reveals Nicolas Cage's New Look

Nicolas Cage is almost unrecognisable in the newly released trailer for Best Pancakes in the County, an upcoming action thriller that turns an ordinary American diner into the setting for a deadly confrontation.

The Oscar-winning actor appears wearing a black curly wig, an exaggerated prosthetic nose and tinted glasses as he takes on the role of a dangerous criminal known as S.O.B. The trailer, released on 20 October, offers audiences their first substantial look at the film ahead of its US release on 20 November 2026.

What is Best Pancakes in the County about?

The film takes place over one increasingly dangerous night at a remote small-town diner, where a criminal operation brings together an unlikely collection of characters.

Following a botched FBI heist, a cunning criminal returns to the diner as rival assassins, corrupt federal agents and a waitress with secrets of her own become caught in a violent confrontation.

Cage plays S.O.B., a fast-talking criminal with a complicated past who finds himself at the centre of the escalating situation. Justin Long appears as Cookie, a diner employee who becomes involved in the confrontation, while Shelley Hennig plays Dolly and Lauren German portrays Agent Margot.

The trailer reveals a mixture of explosive action, dark humour and tense encounters as the characters attempt to work out whom they can trust.

With much of the story unfolding in one location, the film places its characters in a situation where escaping the danger may prove considerably more difficult than getting involved.

Nicolas Cage undergoes another dramatic transformation

Cage has developed a reputation for taking on unusual characters and changing his appearance considerably between productions.

His transformation in the 2024 horror film Longlegs involved extensive makeup and prosthetics, while his forthcoming sports drama Madden sees him portray American football coach and commentator John Madden.

For Best Pancakes in the County, Cage adopts another striking appearance, with his character's oversized nose, dark wig and distinctive clothing creating an immediately recognisable visual style.

The makeup is particularly noticeable in the trailer, helping establish the eccentric personality of a character who combines criminal ambition with an unpredictable approach to danger.

Who else stars in the film?

Alongside Cage and Long, the film stars Shelley Hennig, Lauren German, Ravi Patel, Brandon Mychal Smith, Kelly Greyson, Jaylen Moore and Michael Sirow.

The production was written and directed by Ken Sanzel, who previously worked with Cage on the 2019 action thriller Kill Chain. Their latest collaboration returns to the crime genre, combining a relatively contained setting with a larger conspiracy involving federal agents and stolen information.

The film runs for approximately 98 minutes and is being distributed in the United States by Independent Film Company.

When can UK audiences watch Best Pancakes in the County?

Best Pancakes in the County is scheduled for release in selected US cinemas and on digital platforms on Friday 20 November 2026.

A separate UK cinema or streaming release date has not yet been confirmed, meaning British audiences will need to check for further distribution announcements. The newly released trailer introduces the film's central confrontation and Cage's unusual character without revealing exactly how the night unfolds.

For viewers who enjoy Cage's more eccentric performances, the thriller offers another chance to see the actor embrace an unconventional role within a fast-moving crime story.

Further information and official promotional material can be found on the Independent Film Company website.

Image credit: Independent Film Company / Best Pancakes in the County.