Synopsis:
In pursuit of a serial killer coined Longlegs, an FBI agent uncovers a series of occult clues that she must solve to end his terrifying killing spree.
Written and Directed by: Osgood (Oz) Perkins
Starring: Maika Monroe, Nicolas Cage, Blair Underwood
Edition:
Theater
My Thoughts:
Have you ever watched, say, Silence of the Lambs or Zodiac, and thought “‘This is great, but I just wish it was weirder!” Well, Oz Perkins has got your back, my friend. Longlegs is suuuuuuper weird. But I mean that in the best possible way. Although I think that perhaps the marketing campaign was a little overwrought, it truly is an incredibly good movie. I’d just take umbrage with the claim that its the “scariest movie of the decade.” It oozes dread, yes, but I think this movie is designed to get under your skin rather than be scary in a traditional sense. And scary is a highly subjective concept anyway. I’d call it one of the most bizarre and atmospheric movies of the decade, perhaps. But if you go in expecting to have your pants scared off, you’ll probably leave disappointed.
“This is a cruel world, especially for the little things.”
But you should definitely see it. I’d say see it while its still in theaters if you’re able. It’s totally worth the price of admission. I’m hard-pressed to say who I think did a more fantastic job here – Maika Monroe as Agent Lee Harker, our occult-clue-finding FBI agent, Alicia Witt as Ruth Harker, or Nic Cage as the titular Longlegs.
In fact, you can’t make me choose. I refuse. They’re all three incredibly talented performers playing three incredibly crafted roles.
“I’m sorry, it seems I wore my long legs today.”
My one caveat to loving this movie (and I did), is that I don’t love over-ADR-ed movies so much. And Maika Monroe will damn near breathe your eardrums out. She has got some crazy-Clarice-at-Buffalo-Bill’s breathing going on. It’s SO LOUD. And maybe Kiernan Shipka. Luckily you don’t have to watch her try to act for very long. Boy she’s not great at it. Sorry, I’m still mad at how bad Chilling Adventures of Sabrina was, despite how good I think at least that first season could have been.
I do also think there are some threads that could have been explored more fully, and the ending comes as a bit of a last minute exposition-dump rather than the glorious mind-fuck I think it could have been. Having seen Perkins’ Gretel and Hansel, I have to say I wish Longlegs would have resolved in a way that was more akin to that – not in specifics, obviously, but in style.
Rating:
Small complaints aside, this was flat out one of the most engaging movies I have seen in a while. I was glued to the screen until what turned out to be TEN MINUTES FROM THE END when my bladder decided we were done waiting RIGHT NOW. And then I stood in the aisle on my way back to watch until a lull so I could run back to my seat.
Longlegs
Directed by: Oz Perkins
US Release Date: July 12, 2024
Neon
Rated R
1hour 41 minutes
Official Website
