Long legs (Source: Neon)
long legs It has been evaluated as ‘the scariest movie of the last 10 years’ and has garnered a lot of attention in response to early screenings, not only raising eyebrows but also greatly raising expectations. Neon is backing this up with a strong marketing campaign that has many horror fans extremely excited. Oz Perkins’ latest horror film stars Maika Monroe, Nicolas Cage, Blair Underwood, and Alicia Witt.
The official synopsis reads, “An FBI agent pursuing a serial killer discovers a series of mysterious clues that must be solved to put an end to his horrific killing spree.Maika Monroe plays Lee Harker, an FBI agent looking for Long Legs, who is described as being highly intuitive and sensitive, while Nick Cage, who produced the film, plays a gruesome serial killer. Perkins immediately set the standard with the film’s first scene, which proved to be an appetizer for what was to come.
Long legs (Source: Neon)
The film is divided into three parts, which serve as the standard third act of a feature. The first two acts focus on Lee, getting to know her and following the FBI as they track down the serial killer. Lee is a single kid living alone in a cabin in the woods who is highly intuitive and possibly psychic. She is able to decipher the clues Longlegs left at the murder scene. Her performance is understated yet penetrating, often emblematic of how viewers feel while watching Longlegs.
Nicolas Cage is terrifyingly creepy as our serial killer. In my opinion, he is the best horror villain since Bill SkarsgÃ¥rd’s Pennywise. His screen time is limited but very impactful. The makeup and costume design deserve a lot of credit for their extremely disgusting looks, and sometimes you might not even realize that it’s Cage underneath the wig. He has extremely distressing mannerisms and his words alone are enough to scare you. Perkins does his best in both leads, and the supporting cast is decent as well.
In terms of visuals, this is a very strong film aesthetically. Perkins creates atmospheric tension and fear through color grading choices supported by constantly changing aspect ratios and vivid sound design. Where he falls short is in writing. There are times when the film is so slow that it loses its intensity. Some of the dialogue feels very generic or amateurish, with jokes that feel abrupt and unnecessary.
Long legs (Source: Neon)
Movies are also categorized into several genres, many of which are intentional but don’t necessarily work. The film is initially a horror film, but it is also a serial murder crime drama and investigative thriller with noir and supernatural touches. The writing really falls off a cliff in the third act, and while there is a twist that makes sense, it’s incredibly disappointing. That said, the way it explores evil is interesting and gives us a lot to think about. I would like to suggest watching this movie without any knowledge. The less you know, the better.
long legs It may not be the scariest movie of the last decade, but it’s enough to send chills that crawl into your skin and make you pulsate. It has strong lead performances, effective jumpscares, and a beautifully unsettling aesthetic, and it works best when it explores evil and focuses on the characters. Horror fans must experience this breathtaking and unforgettable journey. Perkins’ latest feature is his best to date, but it’s buried under a mountain of anticipation.
