From the opening spine-chilling scene of Osgood Perkins’ LONGLEGS, it’s clear that this film isn’t your average, run-of-the-mill horror movie. It’s a haunting serial killer-focused psychological thriller that will keep its hooks in you long after you leave the theater… particularly in trying to figure out the film’s more supernatural elements. Nicolas Cage’s downright creepy performance as the titular character combined with Perkins’ ability to manipulate suspense like a pressure valve will keep your mind engaged and your threat response activated. Relaxing this movie is not.
Fresh off of her first case, which ended in tragedy, rookie FBI Special Agent Lee Harker (Maika Monroe) is tasked with using her natural intuition to find a Satanic serial killer that is targeting families. Calling himself Longlegs (Nicolas Cage), the killer writes Zodiac-style clues to law enforcement. that seemingly only Harker can make sense of. Harker must uncover why she and Longlegs seem so inexplicably linked and determine where he will strike next before another family is murdered.
Nicolas Cage takes “no-holds-barred” to a new stratosphere in his performance as Longlegs, whose visage is judiciously unveiled throughout the film. His voice is unsettling, his facial prosthetics are terrifying, and his mannerisms are, well, unhinged…to put it mildly. Understated he is not, particularly in comparison to Monroe’s more stoic turn as Harker. Cage gives himself fully to the role, which will definitely be added to the Mount Rushmore of freaky characters, alongside PIG, VAMPIRE’S KISS, and BAD LIEUTENANT (I could probably go on…). Perkins is smart to keep Monroe and Cage’s interactions to a minimum so when they do come face-to-face, the interaction is electric.
But even more than jump scares and Longlegs himself, the film’s real nightmare fuel lies in the eerie mood and atmosphere Perkins imbues in every scene. You are consistently left with a feeling of dread and unease wondering what is going to happen and who may be next on the chopping block. Andres Arochi’s stunning cinematography, which switches aspect ratios based on the time period, is really the heart of the film; his composition and and angles in each scene building the unsettling ambience.
LONGLEGS is less a traditionally scary horror movie and is more emotionally unsettling in the vain of SILENCE OF THE LAMBS. Yes there are some frightening elements (especially in the film’s first act), but I was more uncomfortable by the overall darkness conjured up in each scene… the devilish lore always in the background. This is a movie you want to see in a crowded theater so you can properly enjoy the cinematography and feel the nervous energy buzzing around you as you aren’t sure where the movie (or Cage) is going to go next. The final scene alone is a, well, killer.
My Review: B+