Osgood Perkins’ (The Blackcoat’s Daughter, I Am the Pretty Thing that Lives in the House, Gretel & Hansel) latest foray into the horror genre, Longlegs, is a film that wraps its sinewy fingers around your mind and doesn’t let go. It’s a nightmarish landscape filled with occult symbols, eerie soundscapes, and a cast of characters that range from the delightfully bizarre to the downright terrifying.

The film kicks off with a scene straight out of a suburban fever dream. A young girl approaches a strange car parked in her driveway, only to encounter a man who feels like an albino, demented Tiny Tim. We don’t quite get a great look at his face before transitioning to some some opening credits rockin’ to T-Rex’s “Jewel”. This encounter sets the tone for the film, which swiftly shifts to the 1990s, where FBI agent Lee Harker (scream queen Maika Monroe, The Guest, It Follows, Watcher, Significant Other) is on the case of a series of grisly family murders. Love seeing slick Willy’s shit eating grin in the FBI offices, by the way. The twist? All these seemingly disconnected killings are linked by cryptic notes and the sinister figure known only as Longlegs, played with unsettling zeal by Nicolas Cage.

Oz Perkins, known for his eerie atmospheric style, crafts Longlegs as if he’s painting a nightmare. The film is gorgeously made with grainy visuals and claustrophobic framing. The wintry scenes are beautifully foreboding. Perkins succeeds in creating an environment that’s as oppressive as it is captivating, making you feel like you’re perpetually peeking through the keyhole into a room you’re better off not entering. The film’s cinematography, courtesy of Andres Arochi, is a masterclass in creating tension. Every frame is meticulously crafted to enhance the feeling of unease that permeates the film. The use of shadows and light plays tricks on the viewer’s mind, constantly suggesting hidden horrors lurking just out of sight (yep, that’s the Devil you can barely see throughout the film). The film’s visual style is one of its greatest strengths.

Before we dive deeper into the flick, I’m going to find it hard not to discuss spoilers. Just know that this comes highly recommended by The Blog Without A Face.

Maika Monroe delivers a compelling performance as FBI agent Lee Harker, a character who is as much a mystery as the case she’s trying to solve. Early in the film she seems to sense the location of a criminal while going on her first door-to-door investigation. In one of the greatest jump scares of the film, her partner gets a sudden bullet through the head when they approach the house in question. Maika’s portrayal is nuanced, embodying a sense of vulnerability that makes her relatable, even as the story spirals into madness. For example, the scenes where she is interacting with her partner Agent Carter (Blair Underwood) and his family are legitimately hilarious.

And then there’s Nic Cage, who’s let loose like a bat out of hell, or perhaps more fittingly, a demon out of its infernal cage. His portrayal of Longlegs is a tour de force of unhinged acting. Cage is at his best when he’s channeling pure chaos, and here he dials it up to eleven, offering a performance that’s both terrifying and darkly comedic. His singing in some glam rock falsetto is choice. Instead of being an interesting and “cool” villain, Longlegs is pretty much a fucking weirdo loser that you’d like to punch if you weren’t so afraid he’d bite your fist.

Longlegs explores themes of faith, evil, and generational trauma, weaving them into its narrative like a sinister tapestry. The film delves into how faith can both shield and blind us, and how evil can persist through generations, sometimes masquerading as protection. It’s a fascinating exploration of how the past can shape the present. The key component of all this appears to be the relationship between children and their parents and what adults shield from their children. This seems quite personal for Perkins. Definitely check out this incredibly interesting and insightful interview with him.

I personally really enjoyed the plot of the film though these seems to be a sticking point with a lot of viewers. One issue seems to be when a case is investigated where the daughter of one of the murdered families survived and a life-like doll was discovered hidden in a barn. Apparently, the introduction of the dolls into the narrative was a step too far for many viewers. What you talkin’ bout?! The dolls are amazing and creepy as hell. Why would Longlegs make dolls? Because he’s a Satan worshiping, albino serial killin’ motherfucker!

The plot gets weirder when it’s revealed that hollow metal balls contain bits of the Devil in them, which ultimately drive the father to turn into a family annihilator. We get a swerve in the plot about 2/3 of the way through the film when Longlegs brutally kills himself in an interrogation room revealing a partner in satanic crime. Who could it be? Somebody who would be trusted inside each family home with a satanic doll… Lee Harker’s nurse/nun mother! And who is living in their basement, none other than Longlegs!!! What the fuck?!?!

However, Perkins’ penchant for creating mood sometimes overshadows the narrative. The non-linear storytelling is ambitious, yet it risks alienating viewers who prefer their horror stories with a side of clarity. The goofiest issue with the film is in its plot line. It is introduced relatively early that Agent Carter’s daughter’s birthday is on January 14th and Agent Harker believes Longlegs is going to kill in the lead -up to that date. Somehow this goes unacknowledged by the main characters. The other issue was a clunky exposition dump explaining the relationship between Longlegs and Harker’s mother! Nightmares might not need explanations, but viewers sometimes do.

Ultimately, however, I’m a huge defender of Longlegs, which dares to be different, embracing its weirdness with open arms. It’s a horror movie that prioritizes atmosphere and character over conventional storytelling, offering a cinematic experience that’s as perplexing as it is captivating. While it’s not without its flaws, Longlegs is a testament to Perkins’ unique vision and the bold performances of its cast.

Director: Oz Perkins
Writer: Oz Perkins
Released July 12, 2024