Film Review: Longlegs

Few horror films in recent memory have gotten the level of hype as Longlegs has, and while it isn’t necessarily unwarranted – no surprise here, the movie is really good, it has steered into some wild territory. From “scariest movie ever made” style comments to hyperbolic statements like “I felt the presence of pure evil.” I try not to comment on people’s reactions to a movie, but it was almost unavoidable here, not just because the hype train has been going strong for a while, but it’s also a case where the hype could also lead to a false sense of expectations at not fault of the film.

Longlegs is the latest film from Osgood Perkins, who has found a particular style of filmmaking that is defined by its gothic sensibilities, brooding atmosphere, methodical pacing, and stylish framing, just through his three films The Blackcoat’s Daughter, I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House, and Gretel & Hansel. Longlegs is a slight departure from these films in the sense that it incorporates some real terror, that of the serial killer. It’s a 90s set thriller following an FBI agent named Lee Harker (Maika Monroe) who is trying to track down a mysterious serial killer who goes by the name Longlegs (Nicolas Cage), who appears to have roots in the occult.

The horror-crime mashup brings to mind a film like Se7en of Silence Of The Lambs, which is not a bad comparison to make. But what sets this apart is the distinct style that Perkins brings to the table. One thing that I would say Se7en has over this is that Longlegs doesn’t feel gross, at least, maybe not as much as it should. It’s too elegantly shot, too purposefully composed, you don’t quite feel like you’re down in the dirt with the characters, so much as observing everything through this hypnotic lens like you’re tied to a chair being forced to watch a series of just the most horrific things.

I wouldn’t call this a scary film, even as someone who doesn’t really get scared by media anymore. But it is a relentlessly unnerving film, it’s a creepy film, an uncomfortable film, and one that has a strong command of its ominous tone. The craft here is immaculate, a practically flawless exercise where Perkins utilizes all of his strengths as a filmmaker, with none of the weaknesses that I may have encountered in some of his prior films. Everything from Andrés Arochi’s evocative cinematography to the impactful and punchy editing from Greg Ng and Graham Fortin to the eerie score from Zilgi, and of course the stellar work from the production design and makeup team, everything just comes together really well. I think it’s easily his best work, and all his collaborators are working perfectly in sync.

The actors also anchor the film incredibly well. Maika Monroe has long proven to be quite the leading lady, especially in horror. I like how awkward her character is. The film even uses it for bits of humor at a couple points. You can just tell she is haunted by something, and you’re just waiting as the film gives your breadcrumbs as to what it all is, and the performance captures that effect beautifully. And obviously, Nicolas Cage is a force of nature, and his performance here is…I’m not even sure how to describe it. It’s like the movie serial killer performance to end all movie serial killer performances. It’s very disturbing and weird and unhinged, and I don’t think anyone could have pulled this off as effectively as Cage. Even if I kind of hated every second where I had to see his face.

So, is Longlegs the all-timer masterpiece some have said it is? Maybe not, only time will tell. But is it a great movie? Absolutely it is. I also don’t necessarily think it might be a slam dunk for audiences because of some of the film’s esoteric qualities and flourishes. It really rides that fine line between mainstream thrills and arthouse sensibilities that could either really land or prove divisive, and it’s too soon to really say how it will ultimately pan out. But, as far as I’m concerned, this was a great time. It’s a brutal and haunting film with a very memorable villain turn from Nicolas Cage. It’s not the most unpredictable mystery in the world, it’s not really doing anything that’s totally new, but it is assembled in a way that is just really engaging and artful and striking. It’s really well done pulp fiction, and not really a whole lot more than that, at least just based on my first viewing. All the hype aside, who doesn’t love a good serial killer movie? That’s as American as apple pie.

Longlegs is now out in theaters.

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