‘Longlegs’ Is A Dread-Inducing Occult Horror That Festers Into The Depths Of Your Psyche With Satanic Terror

9 Jul

SPOILER FREE REVIEW (as vague as the trailers to maintain the suspense):

An original, mind-bending, anxiety-inducing, terror-attacking horror?

Everyone seems to be well aware of phenomenal marketing campaign for Neon’s ‘Longlegs,’ which started off with vague, untitled, and non-explained teaser trailers that terrified audiences around the world. Throughout the build-up to the film’s release, hype and anticipation has been mounting. The question is, did it live up to expectations? Without a doubt: exceeded them.

Let’s start off by saying this: if you love horror films for a fun ride with constant jabs of the violin upon cheap jump scars, this film may not be for you. But if you love patiently crafted, detailed crime thrillers infused with the unfolding unknowns of supernatural dread, then read on.

Writer/director Osgood Perkins’ serial killer horror takes huge inspiration from ‘The Silence of the Lambs’ with its tale of a young female rookie agent hoisted into the FBI to conduct a serial killer manhunt. However, the line between thriller and horror is a fine line, as ‘Longlegs’ is not only a deeply disturbing experience, but echoes with a lingering satanic undertone, and a sense of dread from its opening scene until the last.

The plot unfolds in a moody Pacific Northwest town that is hit with a series of murders, with pre-existing psychological terrors lead by our FBI rookie protagonist Lee Harker, played by Maika Monroe.

Monroe delivers an increasingly brave yet horrified performance as Harker, as the character feeds into her deep-rooted trauma when it comes to investigating the serial killer Longlegs (Nicolas Cage).

The opening scene in itself is something that takes you by the neck and throws you into this dreadful world, and the events that continue to unfold seep under your skin for the entirety of the film’s 1hr 41min runtime. The film opens with a 4:3 aspect ratio with rounded corners — an aesthetic that conveys focus and claustrophobia — perfect for showing our killer waiting for his victim. Directo Osgood Perkins only gives the audience specific glimpses of Longlegs without being able to see a full picture of what Nicolas Cage’s terrifying killer looks like — and the grim prosthetics and makeup that turn him into a monster.

The movie then launches us into the presence of Lee Harker and her FBI partner Agent Fisk (Dakota Daulby) on their first day in the field, searching for a house they believe is connected to the murders. Just with a glance, Harker is certain of the house they need to investigate, and the bureau’s psych evaluation discovers Harker to have heightened intuitive abilities, which leads to her being a key member of the investigative team.

The team investigates the mystery of husbands killing their families before taking their own lives, using weapons that were already in the house with are no signs of forced entry. Only a note is left behind, written in code that can be seen in all the trailers and simply signed “Longlegs.”

Harker’s heavily medicated mother begs her child to say her prayers to protect her from evil. It’s suggested that the family has a long history with mental illness, which could prove to be influenced by Longlegs’ tactics.

Now, what you’ve been waiting: Nicolas Cage as Longlegs. The actor is entirely unrecognizable as the devil worshipping serial killer, and has an unpredictability with the shaking register of his voice (which can also be heard throughout all the trailers). As if his performance wasn’t captivating enough, the prosthetics and makeup turn him into something other-worldy… and not the good kind. The first reveal of his full face is during a scene in which Harker goes in to interrogate him, and we feel everything she conveys: dread, fear, and the feeling of looking away — but we don’t dare. Nic Cage gives one of the most terrifying performances ever put to screen, and elevates an already masterful film to new heights not yet seen in modern horror (apart from the likes of Hereditary).

From a technical standpoint, the film is audio-visual perfection. The cinematography by Andrés Arochi places you in the action every time — whether that is emotional or physical, and the shot choices leave you guessing what lingers around every corner. This ties into the very specific sound design that is just as batsh*t crazy as the trailers suggested. There are some truly jarring moments where the sound kicks in, but instead of giving you a jump scare, it renders you with a captivating terror that submerges you in this bleak hellscape.

Director Oz Perkins has gone down the horror-infused road before with his 2015 feature debut ‘The Blackcoat’s Daughter’ and ‘Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House’ as his follow-up. His fairytale re-imagining ‘Gretel & Hansel’ showcased his creative talents pour onto the screen, with visual storytelling on full display, and directorial capabilities of leaving the audience lingering in tension throughout. The director has elevate his craft with each new project, and ‘Longlegs’ is no exception. He juggles an occult mystery, psyche manipulation, Satanic worshipping, and a crime thriller all at one in his latest film, and is his most expansive and focused film to date (not to mention his best).

Believe the hype. Go see this in theatres now.

Watch the trailer for ‘Longlegs’ below:

Our score: ★★★★★
(out of 5 stars)