In a landscape often saturated with predictable scares and recycled horror tropes, a truly terrifying film is a rare and precious find. While the definition of fear is personal, genre enthusiasts often yearn for something that transcends jump scares and shallow thrills. Enter Longlegs, the latest offering from Neon, directed by Osgood Perkins. This indie horror flick is generating significant buzz, promising to deliver the genuine chills that audiences crave. But What Is Longlegs About that makes it stand out from the crowded horror scene?
Having navigated the cinematic horrors of the year, including solid entries like Abigail and the thrilling A Quiet Place: Day One, it’s Longlegs that has truly lingered, burrowing under the skin and leaving a lasting sense of unease. While those other films offered distinct pleasures and might even be argued as technically superior in some aspects, Longlegs achieves a different kind of horror – one that disturbs and haunts on a deeper level.
To truly appreciate the impact of Longlegs, it’s best to enter with minimal preconceptions. However, to address the core question of what Longlegs is about, we can delve into the basic premise without venturing into spoiler territory. At its heart, Longlegs follows Lee Harker (Maika Monroe), a determined young FBI agent thrust into the chilling pursuit of a serial killer known only as “Longlegs” (Nicolas Cage). This investigation quickly spirals into unsettling territory as Harker uncovers disturbing truths, tangling with the occult in ways that are profoundly creepy and deeply unsettling.
What sets Longlegs apart is its masterful execution of tension and atmosphere. Nicolas Cage delivers a truly unhinged performance, embodying a terrifying antagonist. However, the film’s most potent weapon is Osgood Perkins’ direction. He meticulously crafts a slow-burn dread that tightens its grip with each scene. Longlegs isn’t reliant on cheap jump scares; instead, it builds an atmosphere so thick with suspense that viewers will find themselves physically stressed, anticipating the unseen horrors lurking just beyond the frame. Perkins’ deliberate camera movements and unsettling lighting create a pervasive mood of unease, playing with audience expectations only to shatter them in unexpected ways. This is established immediately in a brilliant opening sequence that is profoundly terrifying precisely because of what it doesn’t reveal.
The horror in Longlegs is derived from expertly crafted mood and tension, interwoven with disturbing subject matter and moments of shocking imagery, all delivered with a restraint that amplifies their impact. When the film does unleash horrifying visuals, they are genuinely bone-chilling, leaving haunting imprints that linger long after the credits roll. This sophisticated approach to horror elevates Longlegs beyond typical genre fare.
Beyond Perkins’ directorial prowess, the film is anchored by exceptional performances. While Nicolas Cage’s portrayal of the Longlegs Killer is undeniably captivating and unsettling – his mannerisms, voice, and nightmarish appearance coalescing into a truly disturbing on-screen presence – Maika Monroe arguably steals the show. Cage’s over-the-top tendencies, often humorous in other contexts, are channeled here into pure, unadulterated creepiness.
However, Monroe’s performance as Agent Lee Harker is a revelation. Often hailed as an underrated actress, Monroe’s talent transcends genre. She embodies Harker as a deeply complex individual, marked by past trauma yet fiercely determined. Monroe masterfully portrays this duality, conveying both vulnerability and competence through subtle expressions and mannerisms. Her performance is the emotional core of the film, making Harker a compelling and relatable protagonist even amidst the escalating horror. Alicia Witt, playing Harker’s mother, also delivers a noteworthy performance, holding her own against the intense presence of Cage and adding another layer of intrigue to the narrative.
Contributing significantly to the film’s oppressive atmosphere are the cinematography by Andres Arochi and the score by Zilgi. Arochi’s framing and use of muted, somber tones immerse the viewer in a world drenched in dread. The voyeuristic camera, often shadowing Monroe’s character, heightens the sense of unpredictable danger. Zilgi’s sinister score further amplifies this, creating a soundscape of impending doom that permeates every scene.
Despite its strengths in atmosphere, performance, and direction, Longlegs is not without its imperfections. While Perkins excels as a director, the writing reveals some weaknesses. The dialogue and characters are well-developed, but certain plot elements feel underdeveloped. By the film’s conclusion, while deeply unsettled, viewers may be left with unanswered questions regarding character motivations and basic plot points, such as the origin of the “Longlegs Killer” moniker itself. While avoiding spoilers is key, it’s fair to say that some fundamental questions about the killer’s actions and rationale remain frustratingly vague. This narrative ambiguity, while perhaps intentional, may detract from the overall cinematic coherence for some viewers.
However, even with these narrative shortcomings, Longlegs succeeds spectacularly in its primary objective: to unnerve and terrify. It’s a film carried by strong performances that elevate the material and directed with a masterful hand, creating sequences of intense dread and dismay. Combined with striking cinematography and a chilling score, Longlegs delivers a truly alarming and memorable horror experience. It may not be a perfect film in terms of narrative clarity, but it is profoundly unsettling and deeply creepy, a film that will crawl into your mind and linger for days. For horror aficionados seeking genuine scares and a departure from predictable formulas, Longlegs is a must-see and stands out as one of the most disturbing and impactful horror films of the year.
Overall Score: B+
Longlegs is set to haunt theaters starting this Friday, July 12th.
