Longlegs
In 1993, Lee Harker is an up and coming young FBI agent. After a successful arrest, she is assigned to the ‘Longlegs’ case. A decades old serial killer who seemingly has fathers kill their entire families around a daughter’s ninth birthday.
When she receives a birthday card from him, she discovers she seemingly has a history with him, and must discover what that was before he ‘kills’ again.
Direction
I thought the direction from Osgood Perkins (son of Anthony ‘Norman Bates’) was sensational. From the way he frames shots, to his unique camera angles and lens choices.
I especially loved the way he changes aspect ratio at times, favouring a more vintage look (utiliasing the 4:3 aspect ratio while the rest of the film is in widescreen.
The setting year of 1993 is practically flawless too (with Bill Clinton’s photo on the FBI office wall), with set designs appropriate for that era, and a continual tone that feels unsettling – much like movies that may have inspired this film such as Silence of the Lambs and Se7en.
Cast/Characters
Maika Monroe as Lee Harker is brilliant. She portrays Lee as an almost ‘neurodivergent’ and somewhat cursed by her past; her strained relationship with her god fearing mother Ruth – and her forgotten connection with Longlegs. Her behavior can be explained once the film ends, and all the clues are revealed.
Alicia Witt is sensational as Ruth, the God-fearing mother of Lee – and someone who will do anything to keep her daughter safe from the monsters of the world. While I’m not going to give anything away, this is one of the best roles I have seen of hers.
Blair Underwood delivers an amazing performance as Lee’s FBI agent boss. I found his mentorship over her similar to the Crawford/Starling relationship in SotL. However this film stands on its own in how it progresses, especially that Birthday party scene.
Finally, Nicholas Cage as Longlegs is one of the greatest performances I’ve seen not just of his, but of any actor in a similar role. I could go on, but you have to see it to understand.
Screenplay/Setting/Themes
A solid blend of horror/supernatural that gives just enough away organically throughout the proceedings of the film.
The strained relationship of Lee and Ruth is written well too, as at the start of the film we don’t understand why they converse so oddly, but as the credits role (in a backwards roll, like another serial killer movie Se7en), it makes much more sense.
I loved that Longlegs is not really seen in depth until well into proceedings. He is either seen in quick flashes, or from afar, or in half frame (in conversations with children – as this is how children would probably see him). I found this to be very similar to the ‘monster’ in movies like Jaws.
Once on screen, he really only has THAT interrogation scene, which is one of the most graphic displays of imagery that I can remember seeing. While I wanted more, less is sometimes more.
Score/Soundtrack
An absolutely banger of a score (by Elvis Perkins, Osgood’s brother), and a haunting soundtrack including songs by T Rex.
The sound editing, is great with some impressive use of horror sounds while characters are on screen at times.
Overall
I don’t genuinely enjoy Horror or Supernatural, but I loved this. Everything about it was done to perfection.
4.5/5
You can listen to my Podcast on it here