Longlegs Review; Powerhouse Performances and Sinister Satanism

The long awaited NEON horror film Longlegs hit theaters on July 12th, 2024. After witnessing one of the best horror marketing campaigns of the 21st century and hearing the many praises through the bylines of critics, needless to say I was excited to finally get a chance to see it. Now, the big question… was it worth the wait? And does it live up to the hype?

 Longlegs is written and directed by Osgood Perkins, son of horror legend Anthony Perkins (Psycho). Perkins ushers audiences into a captivating, disturbing and senselessly satanic horror story in this film. While it did live up to the hype and kept in line with its FBI Mindhunter style storyline, it also bled in more supernatural elements than I would’ve expected from the film’s marketing.

The films cinematography is one of its many strong points, each shot is composed perfectly and keeps your eyes peeled for anything sinister lurking in the background. The film also exceeds in its sound design, make no mistake and see this in theaters while you have a chance. While I feel like the film’s pacing may polarize some audience members, it’s slow burn FBI procedural really lets you feel each moment out in all of its anxiety and discomfort, putting you in the shoes of Lee Harker. Each passing moment you know and you feel that Longlegs is out there.

 This works especially well for its first two acts. The film’s third act, while it does ask the most of its audience and takes many unexpected turns still keeps you on your toes. Though I expect some folks may check out by the third act, those that don’t will enjoy the hellish ride to the credits.

By far the biggest thing I feel audiences will come away from the film with, is the powerhouse performances of Maika Monroe and Nicholas Cage. Monroe's stiff and off putting stance and cadence aids many scenes, though some may find comedy appropriately sprinkled throughout due to her delivery in some lines, her performance from confident to horrified is nothing short of excellent. Nicholas Cage is unrecognizable in his role and performance as the titular Longlegs. Between his off putting appearance and stance and his haunting voice, Cage disappears into a role that will leave viewers feeling haunted, with him sinisterly stealing each scene he's in. The amalgamation of the brilliant pacing and build up and the two powerhouse performers brings the film to a heart-pounding climax when the two come face to face.

Speaking further on Cages performance, he absolutely disappears into the role. Though used sparingly he waste a second of his screentime. The makeup and costuming done to transform him into the allusive serial killer was expertly put together, making Cage's longlegs feel like a washed up rock star, like the dead remnants of a bygone era using his hypnotic lyrics and look to sinisterly swindle his victims.

 Two other arguably underrated performances in the film are Blair Underwood as Agent Carter and Alicia Witt as Ruth Harker. Underwood portraying a strong yet understanding mentor to Harker, and Witt flawlessly slicing through every scene of hers with an anxious yet alluring performance.

Overall Longlegs is a demented and off putting serial killer thriller. A film with a lot to hide and a lot to be found on each watch. The films use of supernatural elements exceeded what was set up by the marketing, but none the less kept me intrigued, impressed and above all scared throughout. The film has made more then double it's box office projections so I hope one thing both audiences and studios take away from this, is the power of a good marketing campaign for an original horror film. 

Longlegs is now playing in theaters everywhere.

If you enjoyed this review, consider sharing it. If you want to hear more from me consider following me on my social medias such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Letterboxd.