Movie Review: Longlegs
One-liner: Artful filmmaking, a creepy villain, dark themes and an unsettling atmosphere horror underscore this fine psychological horror mystery thriller.
Osgood Perkins’s Longlegs is a masterclass in psychological horror, a film that gets under your skin and stays there. This dark crime mystery centers on an FBI agent Lee Harker’s relentless pursuit of a serial killer, unraveling a bloody spate of family murders through a series of cryptic clues. Starring Maika Monroe, Alicia Witt, Blair Underwood and a disturbingly effective Nicolas Cage as the titular Longlegs, Perkins has crafted an unsettling horror film that maintains a creepy atmosphere, where even ordinary moments take on a sinister undertone.
Set during the Clinton administration, the film cleverly weaves in flashbacks to a chilling “stranger danger” encounter from the 1970s, setting in motion the grim events that follow. Longlegs is an artfully composed film, opening with a camera format that evokes a bygone era before settling into a more conventional cinematic style. The tone is akin to Se7en, conveying its pervasive unease through thoughtful lighting and production design. This creates a sense of cluttered claustrophobia, ingeniously inverting expectations as it delves into the occult.
The seething unease intensifies when Harker confronts Longlegs, the man seemingly behind it all. While instantly recognizable, Nicolas Cage utterly transforms, utilizing facial prosthetics to create a truly disturbing character. His performance strikes a delicate balance between human and otherworldly, delivering a darkly comical yet menacing portrayal marked by haphazard apathy. His presence is intimidating, fueled by sudden outbursts and a chilling “go-with-the-flow” demeanor. This cat-and-mouse game evolves into a hunt for a missing link, following the clues to finally end the horrific spree and restore a semblance of peace.
The film’s reliance on a spiritual dimension, a somewhat far-fetched concept at its core, might not resonate with everyone. However, this very unpredictability keeps Longlegs elusive, much like its storytelling. You’ll find yourself muddling through the darkness, piecing together clues just like the investigators, shifting the focus from “who” is responsible to “how” these terrifying acts are orchestrated. Just when you think the good guys have cornered Longlegs, the narrative takes a bizarre turn, allowing him to further distance himself from the charges.
“Have you ever danced with the devil in the pale moonlight?”
The unsettling resemblance between Longlegs, with his white face makeup and long hair, and heavy metal rockstars like Marilyn Manson, creates a clever connection point. Longlegs could be seen as a human variation of the Jigsaw Puppet from Saw, with Perkins offering a villain who feels more like a puppet master pulling the strings. The camera obscures parts of Cage’s face, making Longlegs an ever-present question mark for the audience. Known for his uninhibited performances, Cage delivers a role well within his wheelhouse, venturing into truly dark spaces with a sense of psychotic glee.
Maika Monroe delivers a strong and capable lead performance, keeping the film compelling. Her character’s first-hand experiences accumulate, granting her deeper insights into the unfolding horror and her potential involvement. Longlegs sits comfortably between Sinister and The Black Phone, dealing with stranger danger and undertaking a similar eerie atmosphere. One might even imagine Ethan Hawke in the role, given his prowess in that same dark space.
This is an artful and beautifully composed production, elegantly slinking from scene to scene with impressive forethought and clever handling. Perkins has achieved a remarkable feat given the film’s resources; it never feels like it’s falling short. While its slower pace might not appeal to all viewers, the underlying tension tirelessly builds suspense. The quality of the ingredients, puzzle-like storytelling and solid performances all contribute to a well-rounded, intensely creepy, and deeply disturbing horror film. Its reception will likely hinge on individual tolerance for its pacing and hinges on the jump of its twist. All in all, Longlegs offers more than enough to appeal to horror fans, serial killer movie enthusiasts, and those drawn to the recent wave of elevated horror, making it a strong contender that will leave you unsettled and haunted.
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