‘Longlegs’ Review – Believe The Hype: This Is A Tale Of True Darkness You Won’t Forget

Let this be known right out of the gate: Longlegs is best to be personally experienced. Thanks to a truly inspired marketing campaign courtesy of NEON and growing social media hype that has practically labeled it the scariest thing you will ever see, expectations are going to be the greatest enemy when the viewer sits in the theater to take this film in. It’s hard to ignore the steady momentum the movie has been building and sometimes this can be a detriment because there are occasions when the social media bubble loves something and the masses turn their noses up to it. The job of this review is only to convince the viewers to experience Longlegs for themselves. This personal view may add to the hype that is continuing to boil over but it will be scarce on details. The psychological fear that washes over you during Longlegs should be a complete and total surprise. As being days removed from the viewing, it’s a palpable feeling that continues to linger throughout this viewer’s psyche.

FBI agent Lee Harker (Maika Monroe) and Agent Carter (Blair Underwood) are investigating a case involving a serial killer known as Longlegs (Nicolas Cage). The murders aren’t killings in the traditional sense as they involve families over a series of decades and have been committed via murder-suicide in which a father kills the family and then takes his own life. As is the case with the most prolific serial killers, a note is left behind at killings, simply signed “Longlegs.” Making the murders even more strange is that there is a lack of physical evidence, which calls into question whether Longlegs was even there. There’s a big mystery brewing because the agents have to figure out why these murders are happening and determine how involved the infamous “Longlegs” actually is in these bizarre killings.

Kudos to writer and director Oz Perkins, who has a strong hold on his story and an even more keen eye on atmosphere. Perhaps the main reason viewers are experiencing intense fear while watching the film is that Perkins creates a space that is drenched in dread and void of any hope. The director strips the viewer of any sense of security while watching the film, making the audience feel completely unsafe while watching. The most tense moments are when Monroe’s Lee Harker is simply alone. As she decodes messages from the killer, digging deep into a case that is soon to consume her, there is always the sense that she’s being watched and at any moment someone could come out and grab her. She’s framed with so much empty space throughout the film that there is never a moment where you feel she’s at ease because SOMETHING could be lurking. For Perkins to sustain this amount of tension and atmosphere and have it never let up, is a testament to his talent as a filmmaker.

Monroe proves once again why she’s such talent in these kinds of films, although her immense range proves that she could be successful in any genre. For whatever reason, the actress has gravitated towards genre fare, building her a bit of a final girl fanbase in the process. Add Longlegs to her growing list of incredible performances, even though it’s a more quiet portrayal than some of her other work. Harker is a more introspective role as she is truly a detective analyzing and decoding. She’s the vessel for the audience into this madness and as it feels like the terror is growing around her, the viewer feels it. Much has been made about Monroe’s heart rate when she first saw Cage’s serial killer for the first time and her reaction is shared by the audience, not only based on what they get to see, but also based on Monroe’s truly genuine reaction.

Cage has become known for offbeat and off-the-wall performances over the years so it’s not surprising that he’s more than game to play the titular serial killer but what is surprising is the level of fear he generates because of the layers he brings to the role. There are quiet moments of terror that suddenly turn loud and intense and it truly is an attack on the senses. Monroe definitely gets more screen time but when Cage is on screen, he’s all you’re paying attention to. There is a reluctance to share more about his performance because the element of surprise is the best way to experience him. Needless to say, it’s truly unforgettable work from the actor.

What grabs you most about Longlegs is the sense of dread throughout. It practically consumes the viewer and drowns them in its darkness. It’s a film about evil that is so intense that it can’t but sink into your very bones. That’s the most unsettling thing about Longlegs. The notion that evil is so pervasive and powerful, always lurking in the background, and that it may not be able to be stopped until it’s too late.

Longlegs is currently playing in theaters nationwide courtesy of NEON.