Horror movies are dramatically slow to convey the essence of things slowing down and details kicking in, setting the scary atmosphere. Longlegs triple down on this!
Longlegs isn’t your typical horror movie experience. It ditches the jump scares and embraces a slow, methodical approach that burrows under your skin. I constantly asked, “What the hell is happening?” — a testament to how well the film builds this unsettling atmosphere.
Director Osgood Perkins takes his sweet time establishing the world and characters. The film is undeniably “slow,” yet the pacing feels deliberate. Each beautifully shot scene is a piece of the puzzle, a detail that contributes to the overall sense of unease. Despite this slow burn, the film grabbed me from the very first moment, throwing me headfirst into Longlegs’ world of Satanic serial killings.
Forget ghosts and jump scares. Longlegs belongs to a different breed of horror. It thrives on the uncomfortable, the unsettling. It’s a film that stays with you long after the credits roll, leaving you with a lingering sense of dread and prompting endless theorizing in your head. By the end, I was left with more questions than answers, a feeling only amplified by being surrounded by fellow horror enthusiasts at the Genre X screening.
Nicolas Cage delivers a phenomenal and unrecognizable performance as Longlegs, the terrifying serial killer. His portrayal is so good that I wouldn’t be surprised if he were nominated for an Oscar. I was completely in awe of his scenes, particularly the interrogation scene near the climax.
Maika Monroe shines as Lee Harker, the FBI agent tasked with hunting Longlegs. She perfectly embodies the audience’s growing confusion and fear, making her a character I could easily connect with. Alicia Witt, as Lee’s religious mother, Ruth Harker, delivers a performance that will leave you traumatized. It’s true what Longlegs said in the film—that he’ll be everywhere! They all live rent-free in my mind now.
The film’s soundtrack is minimal, relying instead on impeccable sound design to create a disturbing atmosphere. Every creak and groan became a potential threat, keeping me on edge throughout. The cinematography is equally impressive. Perkins paints a dark, shadowy world punctuated by moments of almost blinding brightness that disorient you. While some viewers may find the shifts in lighting jarring, the overall visual style undeniably contributes to the film’s unsettling tone.
The editing of Longlegs is sharp and keeps the film moving forward despite its slow pace. I praise the prosthetics and makeup department, especially for the chilling interrogation scene. The effects are so terrifyingly traumatic that they will stay with you long after the film ends.
These technicalities are so well done that the filmmakers deserve a special thank you for slowing the film’s pace.
Longlegs is a masterful blend of horror and thriller. It creates a perfectly haunting atmosphere and leaves you with more questions than answers, a quality that will surely please horror aficionados like myself.
While a few minor pacing issues and moments of overly bright lighting prevent it from achieving a perfect score, the film’s overall brilliance earns it a strong four out of five stars.
