SHAWN GUERRERO’s review published on Letterboxd:
While tracking down a serial killer (Cage), an FBI agent (Monroe) stumbles upon a trail of cryptic, occult symbols. She must decipher these enigmatic hints to put a stop to the horrifying series of murders. "Longlegs" marks writer/director Osgood Perkins’ most significant and mainstream release to date. The casting of the exceptional Maika Monroe (known for “It Follows” and “The Guest”), along with Alicia Witt, Blair Underwood, and the legendary Nicolas Cage, greatly enhances the film's stature and quality. It leans more towards being a supernatural thriller rather than a straightforward horror. Perkins also dazzles with his direction. His choice of shots and composition consistently conjure up a sense of somber verse. His unique manipulation of light and darkness, as well as his understanding of architecture and space being framed in the camera is wholly unique. It all contributes to a tense and dread inducing atmosphere that is one of the biggest draws of "Longlegs". Nicolas Cage delivers an intense performance that will likely unsettle many viewers, though some might see it as exaggerated or even humorous. Perkins seems aware of this potential reaction, as evidenced by a scene where a young hardware-store employee (played by Perkins' daughter Bea) reacts nonchalantly to Cage's character, Longlegs. This role takes Cage into uncharted, bizarre territory, and as with all such bold choices, it may divide opinions. It seems Perkins intentionally used goofiness to satirize the fascination many people have with serial killers, who are often idolized. By portraying Cage as a nerdy guy obsessed with Marc Bolan and T. Rex, Perkins effectively deglamorizes the image of the charming serial killer. Audiences will likely draw conclusions and make connections well before the characters do, which can be a letdown given the strong premise. The balance between extraordinary supernatural powers and the harsh, everyday violence is well executed. Monroe, who is suggested to possess psychic abilities, sees solutions that elude other agents. Similarly, Nic Cage’s character, a mass murderer, utters eerie Satanic verses and crafts incredibly unsettling dolls that seem to exert an unexplainable malevolent influence. However, as the film transitions into the third act, it reveals its intentions and attempts to escalate the madness. It opts for a tidy resolution, which the degree of satisfaction will vary by the viewer. This all might be frustrating considering the emotional journey the audience has been taken on and the lingering questions that are raised. Still, for those attuned to crime procedural/supernatural tinged horror, "Longlegs" is a horror film that is both captivating and creatively dark.
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