The Retirement Plan is a 2023 action-comedy directed and written by Tim Brown, released theatrically on September 15, 2023. It stars Nicolas Cage as Matt, a beach-bum living off the grid in the Cayman Islands, whose estranged daughter Ashley and granddaughter show up on his doorstep after getting caught up in a criminal enterprise. The film’s original score comes from composer Roger Suen, released on the Notefornote Entertainment label.
Genres: Action, Comedy, Crime
Release date: September 15, 2023 (United States)
Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Director / Writer | Tim Brown |
| Composer | Roger Suen |
| Starring | Nicolas Cage, Ashley Greene, Ron Perlman, Jackie Earle Haley, Ernie Hudson |
| Production | Darius Films, Productivity Media |
| Distributor | Falling Forward Films |
| Release Date | September 15, 2023 |
| Runtime | 1h 43m |
The film’s cast also includes Thalia Campbell as Ashley’s daughter, along with Grace Byers and Joel David Moore in supporting roles.
Who Composed The Retirement Plan Score
Roger Suen composed the original score for The Retirement Plan. Suen is a longtime collaborator of director Justin Chon, known for scoring Blue Bayou, Gook (a Sundance award-winning score), Ms. Purple, and Love in Taipei. He has also contributed additional music to bigger studio productions, including The Darkest Minds and Guillermo del Toro’s Oscar-winning The Shape of Water, and provided additional music for Marvel/Netflix’s Daredevil and The Defenders. The scoring assignment for The Retirement Plan was announced in July 2023, ahead of the film’s September release.
Every Song (by Scene)
Beyond Roger Suen’s score, several licensed songs play over key scenes in The Retirement Plan:
| Song | Artist | Scene |
|---|---|---|
| The Tide Is High | Blondie | Sarah arrives at Matt’s beach house and wakes him up to tell him her mother sent her. |
| Carmen, Act II: Votre toast, je peux vous le rendre | Jeff Meegan | Donnie holds Ashley hostage and demands to know where his hard drive is. |
| Shake and Bounce | Sam Harris & The World | Sarah asks Matt if he’s rich; he says it depends on perspective. |
| Crazy About That Walk | John Lee Hooker | Hector confronts Kellen by the pool about moving money for AJ Boat Charters. |
| Where Have All The Good People Gone? | Sam Roberts | Matt heads to the Cayman Islands by boat after a government agent explains the investigation into Hector’s operation. |
“The Tide Is High” is from Blondie’s 1980 album Autoamerican, and “Where Have All The Good People Gone?” is from Sam Roberts’ 2003 album We Were Born in a Flame.
Where to Stream The Retirement Plan
The licensed songs and Roger Suen’s score can be tracked down on Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. For the film itself, check our Prime Video and streaming hubs for current availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who composed the score for The Retirement Plan?
Roger Suen, known for his work with director Justin Chon on films like Blue Bayou and Gook, composed the original score.
Is “The Tide Is High” really in The Retirement Plan?
Yes. Blondie’s 1980 single “The Tide Is High” plays early in the film when Sarah wakes Matt up on the beach.
Did Roger Suen work on any major blockbusters?
He contributed additional music to The Shape of Water, The Darkest Minds, and Marvel/Netflix’s Daredevil and The Defenders, in addition to composing full scores for smaller independent films.
When was The Retirement Plan released?
It was released in the United States on September 15, 2023.
Who stars in The Retirement Plan alongside Nicolas Cage?
Ashley Greene, Ron Perlman, Jackie Earle Haley, and Ernie Hudson round out the main cast.
Related reading: Movie Soundtracks | Prime Video | Streaming Guide