Longlegs (2024) Review

With review quotes claiming a film that is “nerve-shredding”, so scary you might pass out and a “perfect horror experience” it’s safe to say that Longlegs, written and directed by Osgood Perkins, is one of the most anticipated horrors of the year.

As the son of Norman Bates himself, actor Anthony Perkins, and photographer and actress Berry Berenson, who stared in the 1982 Cat People remake, you would hope Osgood’s horror credentials were legit.

Starting out as an actor, Osgood’s first credit was an inspired yet nepotistic piece of casting, turning up as the Young Norman in Psycho II alongside dear old dad and carrying on with bit parts in Six Degrees of Separation, Secretary and Legally Blonde.

Moving behind the camera he penned and directed chillers The Blackcoat’s Daughter and I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House, following this by directing a twisted take on Gretel & Hansel and one of the strangest episodes of Jordan Peele’s Twilight Zone reboot named You Might Also Like.

Longlegs is Osgood’s biggest release so far and it is also the most commercial, and that is both a good and bad thing. On the positive side securing a cast with the brilliant Maika Monroe (It Follows and The Guest) as well as Alicia Witt, Blair Underwood and cult icon Nicolas Cage hugely helps the calibre and quality of his movie.

More a supernatural thriller than a pure horror the story sees Monroe as the half psychic FBI agent Lee Harker, who is as astute and intelligent as she is socially inept. Tasked to find an illusive and unsettling serial killer dubbed Longlegs who seemingly turns fathers against their own families she is thrust into a case full of secret codes and Satanic signs.

Getting further than anyone has before with the decades long investigation, Harker finds that the closer she gets to uncovering the truth the more personal the case becomes. With the killers motives and means still shrouded in a chaotic cloak of mystic menace Harker is unable to see the answers right before her eyes. Whether Longlegs is human, demon or something more terrifying is a question only the finale will reveal if Harker can make it that far.

As mentioned, Monroe is excellent giving an extremely engaging and interesting turn. Shown as capable yet fearful, reserved yet unhinged she is very relatable and the reoccurring theme of her frightened fraught breathing overpowering the soundtrack amplifies the already taut tension found throughout the film.

Already unnerving and disturbing, due to the well shot jump-scares and scenes of horrendous violence, Nicholas Cage’s performance pushes things further still. Almost unrecognisable with his white painted face, strange prosthetics and long thin hair, he is both the wicked witch woman and the mask wearing male manic; cackling, gurning, jerking and singing all the while bringing pain and torture to your door.

All this said, Longlegs takes some massive cues from Silence of the Lambs, Seven and a whole heap of other serial killer procedural thrillers, both inspired and insipid in its style and story which treads some very familiar ground.

Although fine for new audiences unaware of what has come before, this is perhaps the biggest point against Osgood’s movie, as many viewers will be making connections and conclusions long before the characters catch up.

This is disappointing as the setup is solid and the suspension between epic otherworldly powers and the mundane yet brutal bloodshed is well handled. Harker is hinted to have psychic gifts which point her towards solutions other agents don’t see, and likewise Nic Cage’s mass murderer spouts Satanic prose as well as making stupendously creepy dolls which seem to have an evil influence no one can explain.

As we enter the third act however, and the film shows its hand rather than amping up the insanity. This is a move to a classic commercial climax and neat resolution that is as frustrating as it is unsatisfying, especially given the emotional ride the audience has been on along the way and the niggling questions it throws up.

Has Longlegs been over hyped? The answer is most definitely ‘yes’. But thats not to say its not a well made and engaging thriller with some solid scares and great central performances.

Will Longlegs be a huge success? No doubt. And all we can hope is going forwards, Osgood Perkins uses the new found fame and commercial footing to indulge his more interesting and unconventional horror ideas.

Movie Rating:

Longlegs trailer