“Longlegs” is a horror movie starring Maika Monroe, Alicia Witt and Blair Underwood. With Nicolas Cage. It is written and directed by Oz Perkins.
“Longlegs” is, first and foremost, a film that showcases brilliant staging, impeccable pacing, and a masterful grasp of horror elements. It features pure, unadulterated setting and aesthetics, and most importantly, delivers stunning performances by Maika Monroe and Nicolas Cage. Nicolas Cage portrays the most formidable and sinister character (as one would expect), but the film transcends beyond his versatile acting prowess: it stands as an exemplary horror film in its technical aspects, brimming with aesthetic innovations and meticulously crafted settings.
This is a tale that could easily have fallen into the trap of being a conventional, almost clichéd story of a serial killer, but it evolves into something far more terrifying, thanks to the screenwriter and director, Oz Perkins, to whom we owe this demagogic horror masterpiece.
Plot Summary
Two FBI agents are on the trail of a serial killer who has been ruthlessly murdering families over several decades. It is soon revealed that the killer is fixated on one of the agents, Lee Harker.
About the Film
“Longlegs” is replete with compelling aesthetic concepts: it features haunting cinematography, scenes brimming with unsettling terror, and a pacing that avoids devolving into mindless gore. The gory scenes present are justified, becoming even more shocking due to their meticulous preparation, pacing, and, above all, the film’s exceptional staging and setting.
This could have been just another serial killer movie, but “Longlegs” goes above and beyond, achieving a first-rate aesthetic and narrative proposition through its cinematography, setting, photography, and rhythm. These are the traits that should define horror but are rarely found together. Here, however, they coalesce into a film that could have been another Nicolas Cage misfire but instead becomes an outstanding horror film.
Indeed, Nicolas Cage’s presence heavily influences the film. He is deeply immersed in his character, to the point of being nearly unrecognizable. His performance carries the degree of exaggeration and histrionics that fans have come to expect from him. However, in terms of acting, the film truly belongs to Maika Monroe, an exceptional actress who seems to specialize in horror thrillers. Monroe knows how to craft a character and it’s evident that she is a talented actress waiting for a more substantial dramatic role. Her talent is undeniable.
Our Opinion
This film is a testament to the director, Oz Perkins, who shines with excellent staging and turns what could have been a mediocre horror movie into something extraordinary. “Longlegs” is, without a doubt, an excellent horror film.
