Horror as a genre can speak to anyone. What is scary to some may not be scary to others. There are horror films that can make you laugh, make you sick, scare you to death, and make you feel uncomfortable. Neon’s newest feature Longlegs is unsettling but it’s also so much more than that.
The Story
The plot follows FBI agent Lee Harker as she is assigned to an unsolved serial killer case that takes an unexpected turn, revealing evidence of the occult. Harker discovers a personal connection to the killer and must stop him before he strikes again.
This is a dark detective story similar to Seven and Silence of the Lambs. Director Oz Perkins has crafted his best film to date here. Longlegs is a slow burn but don’t think that that means it’s boring. Perkins intrigues the audience as we try to figure out what is happening. We go through moments of dialogue and then suddenly something violent will happen and fast. It is a great way to keep the audience on the edge of their seat.
This is a very disturbing dark film. There is a feeling of dread that lingers far after the credits finish rolling. The cinematography is fantastic. Every scene is filled with unease because Longlegs could be lurking anywhere at any time. There are certain scenes where Agent Harker is just sitting and working and we get these awkward shots far away peering into her window. It is very voyeuristic and works so well.
There is the intrigue of good detective work mixed with a satanic storyline. Perkins blends things perfectly. We get a grounded thriller with a supernatural undertone and it all feels natural.
The reason Longlegs is scary is because there are people in this world who do awful things that we can’t explain. The movie also works because you never quite know where it’s going. There is a twist that needs to be seen to be believed. It leaves room for repeat viewing just to try to catch every little detail and put the puzzle together.
The Acting
For some strange reason, there are still people out there who think Nicolas Cage is just a joke. There are times he can be over the top and not every movie he has been in has been great. The man loves to act. Leave him alone. He has had numerous amount of strong performances and Longlegs is easily one of his best.
The voice he uses is creepy as can be even while saying the most innocent things. The movie is smart in not showing Cage’s character fully until the climax really and when we do see him it is something out of a nightmare. If you saw this person in public, you would run away screaming. The way he looks, moves, and talks is all grounded, yet unnatural.
Maika Monroe is a star. A scream queen for this generation for sure. She plays the FBI agent trying to prove herself very well. Focused on her work and was not very sociable. There is a scene when she is invited to a birthday party and her lack of social skills shines through as she looks too uncomfortable even to answer. She is perfect.
Alicia Witt as Lee’s mom probably gives her best performance of her career. She loses herself in her character and I didn’t even know it was her till the movie ended and I saw her name in the credits.
Blair Underwood plays the stereotypical detective and he does it well. For being so stereotypical you end up caring a lot about him and his family. This is due to how good the performances and the writing are.
Overall
Is Longlegs the best horror movie of the year so far? In my opinion yes and it isn’t even close. Longlegs reminds us of other films of the best while still containing its originality and creativity. The dread is strong and stays with you throughout the runtime. The acting from everyone is superb and the camera work and direction is something to be admired. There is much more horror set to come out still but for now, Longlegs reigns supreme.
