long legs [credit: neon]
long legs ‘ was described as “the scariest movie of the last 10 years” in early screenings and became a hot topic, not only raising eyebrows but also raising expectations. Neon has a strong marketing campaign that has many horror fans very excited. Oz Perkins’ latest horror feature stars Maika Monroe, Nicolas Cage, Blair Underwood and Alicia Witt.
The official synopsis says:An FBI agent tracking a serial killer discovers a series of occult clues that must be solved to put an end to the gruesome murder spree.Maika Monroe plays Lee Harker, an FBI agent who is tracking Longlegs, who is said to be a very intuitive and sensitive person, while Nic Cage, who also produced the film, plays a terrifying serial killer. Perkins quickly sets the standard in the film’s first scene, but it turns out to be only an appetizer for what’s to come.
long legs [credit: neon]
The film is divided into three parts and functions as a standard three-act feature. The first two acts focus heavily on Lee, as we get to know him and follow the FBI as they track the serial killer’s spree. Lee is a single child who lives alone in a cabin in the woods and is highly intuitive, perhaps even psychic. She is able to decipher clues left by Longlegs at the murder scene. Her performance is restrained yet piercing, and is often emblematic of how viewers feel while watching Longlegs.
Nicolas Cage is terrifyingly creepy as a serial killer. In my opinion, he’s the best horror villain since Bill Skarsgard’s Pennywise. Although his screen time is limited, he is extremely influential. The makeup and costume design deserves a lot of praise with his extremely gory look, and at times you wouldn’t even recognize Cage under that wig. He has certain habits that are so distressing that his words alone are enough to scare you. Perkins brings out the best in both leads, and the supporting cast is decent as well.
In terms of visuals, this is a very aesthetic and strong movie. Perkins succeeds in creating atmospheric tension and fear through constantly changing aspect ratios and color grading choices supported by crisp sound design. What he lacks is writing. The movie is sometimes too slow and loses its punch. Some of the dialogue feels very conventional and amateurish, and some of the jokes feel abrupt and unnecessary.
long legs [credit: neon]
The film also dips into multiple genres, most of which are intentional but don’t always work. It’s a horror movie at first, but it’s also a crime drama about a serial killer, and an investigative thriller with noir and supernatural overtones. The script really falls off a cliff in the third act, with a twist that makes sense but is very underwhelming. That said, the way it explores evil is interesting and provides a lot of food for thought. I recommend watching this movie without any prior knowledge. The less you know, the better.
long legs It may not be the scariest movie of the decade, but it’s more than enough to get under your skin and give you pulsating chills. With strong lead performances, effective jump scares, and a beautifully unsettling aesthetic, it works best when it explores evil and focuses on its characters. Horror fans should experience this breathtaking and unforgettable ride. Perkins’ latest work is his best yet, but it gets lost in the hype.
