Stanley Scorsese’s review published on Letterboxd:
Many horror films have come and go with scaring the ever-loving shit out of us, and they end up becoming classics. And most of them were crafted by many celebrated directors. But now we all have experienced a riveting journey through unrelenting horror that will make us never sleep ever again.
Longlegs follows a female FBI agent who must stop a serial killer after uncovering a series of disturbing clues.
Ladies and gentlemen, the hype is real! I repeat, the hype is real! I have got to see the newly released serial killer film, Longlegs, and it is one that would make crime aficionados’ skins crawl. I had my eye on Longlegs since I watched the trailers and clips from YouTube. This film had some freaky advertising where it didn’t have the film’s title, and it had me guessing what to think about it. And now it’s finally in theaters after having much anticipated to see it. I caught it at a Sunday matinee with my bro, his girlfriend, and his friend, we were all into being creeped out. I haven’t seen a horror film that has kept me on edge in theaters since Hereditary, and it has made me want to see it a second time.
The cast in the film is small, but fantastic! You have Maika Monroe, Nicolas Cage, Blair Underwood, and Alicia Witt. Monroe plays Lee Harker, a newly recruited FBI agent who gets assigned to a series of murders committed by an occultist named Longlegs. Cage plays Longlegs, a Satanic serial killer who has a disturbing pattern of his brutal crimes. Underwood plays Carter, Lee’s superior in the FBI. And Witt plays Ruth Harker, Lee’s mother.
Monroe has become another scream queen in her own right after her roles in It Follows, Watcher, and The Guest. I think she has reached through points of maturity to choose which roles work for her in the horror genre. I've always liked from her earlier days when she was on the rise in Hollywood. Her character is burdened with traumatic experiences and a disturbing childhood, and her portrayal is both remarkable and convincing. She does not exaggerate her performance, instead opting for nuanced expressions and reserved performances that convey deep emotional turmoil. Every subtle nuance is precisely calibrated to evoke empathy and tension, showcasing her exceptional talent.
Cage's performance is one of the film's most polarizing elements. Some may find his acting style overwhelming. I think not. This is without a shadow of a doubt the most terrifying performance that I've seen from the actor! There is not one point during this movie where I was laughing at any of his scenes, I was watching him being be psychotic and scary that you would expect from a character like this. I enjoy seeing him in action movies and see him star in independent films like Pig and Dream Scenario. But his performance as Longlegs is so good that he resembles to real life mentally deranged murderers. Thank you Mr. Cage for scaring the shit out of me!
Longlegs was written and directed by Oz Perkins while it was produced by Nicolas Cage, Brian Kavanaugh-Jones, Chris Ferguson, and Dave Caplan. I’ve never heard of this director before, I never knew he’s directed horror films before seeing this film, and I didn’t know he’s the son of the late great Anthony Perkins. The director demonstrates an uncanny ability to craft harrowing and claustrophobic tension, enveloping the audience in a palpable sense of dread. The first half of the film, though slow, is filled with intriguing and harrowing moments that set the stage for the sheer terror of the second and third acts. As the story progresses, Longlegs becomes increasingly scary, creepy, and chilling, solidifying its place in the horror genre.
One of the film's most notable strengths is its refusal to provide easy answers or resolutions. While much of the plot revolves around an investigation, the longing for definitive answers is conspicuously absent. Instead, Longlegs presents a world where mysteries remain unsolved, and evil continues to lurk in the shadows. This lack of resolution is both unsettling and effective, as it reflects the harsh reality that not all mysteries are meant to be solved. Serial killers and cults often operate in the shadows, their malevolent actions are rarely brought to light. Not to spoil the ending, but the film's open-ended conclusion serves as a chilling reminder that such threats may still lurk around us, unseen and unresolved.
The cinematography and sound design further enhance its atmosphere of terror. The visual composition is meticulously crafted, with shadowy corners and dimly lit rooms creating a sense of claustrophobia and unease. The sound design is equally effective, with eerie whispers and unsettling noises heightening the tension. Every creak and whisper feels like a harbinger of doom, keeping the audience on edge throughout the film. The camera works were also very effective, with the slow zoom-ins and centralized shots, building a terrifying atmosphere.
In conclusion, Longlegs is a masterclass in horror filmmaking, a film that will leave audiences breathless and haunted long after the credits roll. While it may suffer from a slow and confusing start, the film's ability to establish and maintain an atmosphere of unrelenting dread is unparalleled. If you love classic throwback horror films about serial killers like Se7en and The Silence of the Lambs, go see it in theaters now!
I’m giving Longlegs 5 stars!
