Longlegs, written and directed by Osgood Perkins, is a cinematic marvel that is beautifully terrifying. With a masterful marketing campaign throughout its initial release, Longlegs was able to capture lightning in a bottle, creating mystery and intrigue that is captured in both the film and its narrative. It is a mystery thriller that combines elements of pure horror to create an atmosphere that induces anxiety but is impossible to look away from. 

Performances That Perfect the Strange 

The simple premise of Longlegs is that FBI agent Lee Harker (Maika Monroe) attempts to solve a serial killer case involving the titular killer, Longlegs (Nicolas Cage). Soon, however, she finds that there might be more to this case hiding deep beneath the surface. The film is best experienced completely blind, and although it seems to be a simple and classic plot, it is anything but expected. 

The mystery behind the film slowly unravels, creating more questions than answers as Harker and the viewer connect the dots. It is a slow and methodical process of deciphering clues and connections, and it never fails to be engaging without being over the top. The horror is subtle; it relies less on outward scares than it does on the feeling of looming dread. This dread is perfectly captured by stand-out performances by both Cage and Monroe. Monroe plays the main protagonist, but in a way that evokes the uncanny valley. She speaks in a strange cadence and is unassuming in a way that she never feels present in the scene. It is almost like she is in a similar boat to the audience, trying to piece everything together, but powerless to change the outcome. This strange quiet is broken by Nicolas Cage as Longlegs, the antithesis to Harker. Longlegs is loud, weird, and terrifying, and is a once-in-a-lifetime performance by Cage. It is impossible to know what he will do next. Will he break into song? Start screaming at the top of his lungs? More than likely both. Cage’s performance is uncomfortable and strange in a way that is almost comical. The horror and carnage are offset by how goofy the killer is, causing further unpredictability and uneasiness that is hard to replicate. 

Outside the two main stars, the minor performances are grounded and realistic, separating the bizarre leads even further. Specifically, Alicia Witt, who plays Ruth Harker, steals the show, switching between grounded and unhinged at the drop of a hat. The performances throughout Longlegs are eccentric but, at the same time, hypnotizing. 

Subliminal Scares 

The cinematography in Longlegs is where the movie shines brightest, even if the film is incredibly dark. Cinematographer Andres Arochi crafted a beautiful film with a vision that is evocative of classics in his own unique way.