Review by Laucha ·
Synopsis
FBI agent Lee Harker, an introverted young woman with near-supernatural intuition, is assigned to an unsolved case that has haunted the agency for decades. A serial killer known as 'Longlegs' has been orchestrating family murders without leaving evidence of his presence at the crime scenes. As Harker digs deeper into the investigation, she uncovers disturbing connections between the crimes, coded satanic messages, and a truth that ties her personally to the case.
Analysis
Longlegs is a film that fully trusts its atmosphere. Oz Perkins — son of Anthony Perkins, the original Norman Bates — inherited a deep understanding of quiet horror. The film feels like David Fincher directing The Exorcist: cold, desaturated cinematography, symmetrical framing, oppressive silences. Everything is designed to generate discomfort. The marketing campaign was brilliant — not showing Longlegs before release was a perfect decision. The sound design is exceptional: every creak, every whisper, every dissonant note contributes to a tension that never lets up.
Performances
Maika Monroe is extraordinary as Lee Harker. Her restrained, almost robotic performance reflects someone who's spent her life repressing something terrible. It's a hard character to make interesting — introverted, quiet, with no obvious emotions — and Monroe pulls it off through looks and micro-expressions. Nicolas Cage as Longlegs is unrecognizable and terrifying. He completely disappears into the role: the high-pitched voice, the erratic movements, the unsettling makeup. It's Cage at his most extreme, but reined in within a film that deserves it. Blair Underwood as Agent Carter brings the human warmth that balances Harker's coldness.
Final Verdict
4 skulls. It's the most elegant horror movie of 2024. It's not perfect — the third act rushes too much and the supernatural explanations might split opinions — but the experience of watching it in a theater, letting yourself get wrapped up in its atmosphere, is priceless. Oz Perkins proved smart, well-produced horror can still work commercially.
Final score
4/5 skulls
