"Longlegs," a 2024 American horror thriller written and directed by Osgood Perkins, takes audiences on a suspenseful, eerie journey set against the bleak landscapes of 1970s and 1990s Oregon. The film follows FBI agent Lee Harker, played by Maika Monroe, as she tracks down a mysterious occult serial killer known as Longlegs, portrayed with unsettling intensity by Nicolas Cage.
The story begins in the 1970s, where a young girl is lured by a mysterious voice, leading to a disturbing encounter with the pale-faced Longlegs. Fast-forward to the 1990s, and the narrative shifts to Lee Harker, a newly minted FBI agent with an uncanny intuition that hints at possible clairvoyance. Her unique abilities draw her into a decades-old case involving brutal murder-suicides, each marked by cryptic, satanic messages signed "Longlegs." The victims are families with 9-year-old daughters, with the murders timed around the girls’ birthdays, creating an occult pattern on the calendar—except for one date that remains missing.
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As Lee digs deeper into the case, her skeptical supervisor, Agent Carter (Blair Underwood), assists her investigation. A key discovery, a doll with a metal orb inside, triggers violent psychic flashes and eerie supernatural events. Lee becomes convinced that these dolls, distributed by Longlegs, are cursed objects that compel the fathers of the victims to commit the horrific acts. The tension heightens as Longlegs seems to know disturbing details about Lee’s past, forging a dark connection between the killer and the agent hunting him.
The performances in Longlegs are standout. Maika Monroe shines as Lee Harker, portraying a balance of vulnerability and determination, while Nicolas Cage delivers one of his most memorable performances, blending menace and magnetism in the role of Longlegs. The supporting cast, including Blair Underwood, Alicia Witt, and Kiernan Shipka, adds depth to the film's tension and narrative.
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Visually, Longlegs is a haunting masterpiece. Perkins crafts a world both unsettling and visually arresting, from the ominous architecture of Harker’s home to the eerie uniformity of suburban streets. The pervasive sense of dread grips viewers from the first frame and lingers long after the film ends.
However, the film has its drawbacks. While Perkins excels at building atmosphere and mood, Longlegs at times leans too heavily on Cage's distinctive intensity to carry the horror. Despite the chilling ambiance, some viewers may feel the film lacks the visceral scares typical of the genre, as the horror elements often take a backseat to the procedural aspects of the story.
Ultimately, Longlegs is a gripping psychological thriller that excels in cultivating an atmosphere of dread and mystery. Though it may not deliver the jump scares expected from a conventional horror film, its psychological depth and stellar performances more than make up for it. The film lingers in your mind, a testament to Perkins’ craftsmanship and the strong cast. I give Longlegs a solid 7.5 out of 10, a commendable entry that blends supernatural mystery with psychological tension.
Out Now on Digital https://apple.co/3zmld1K
