Longlegs (2024)

Osgood Perkins’ Longlegs (2024) delivers a chilling and atmospheric dive into the world of occult crimes, FBI investigations, and a truly terrifying villain. The film centers on Maika Monroe’s FBI agent Lee Harker, a stoic, antisocial investigator with an uncanny, psychic-like intuition. Harker’s ability to decode crime scenes seems almost supernatural, making her the perfect choice for a perplexing cold case. However, what she doesn’t anticipate is the dark, dangerous force she’s about to awaken—an occult-obsessed serial killer, Longlegs (played by Nicolas Cage).

From the very first frame, Longlegs drips with foreboding tension. The film expertly uses visual and narrative symmetry to draw us into a world where the lines between reality and nightmare blur. The introduction of Longlegs through the perspective of a child is a masterstroke, letting us see his grotesque, otherworldly nature through a limited, fearful lens. Cage’s portrayal of the sinister killer is nothing short of mesmerizing—a grotesque figure, he emerges as both a physical and psychological monster, his voice a wet, malicious whisper that lingers long after his scenes end.

Monroe’s performance as Harker is one of the film’s standout features. She embodies a character who thrives in the shadows, far more at ease deciphering the cryptic patterns of a killer’s mind than engaging in small talk with colleagues. It’s this intense focus and eerie calm that make Harker so captivating, and it’s no surprise that the FBI is quick to realize that she may not be just another agent—she’s something more. But as the investigation deepens and Harker’s psychic abilities become central to unraveling the case, the stakes get higher, and her personal demons surface.

The narrative is set against the backdrop of a gritty, 1990s FBI procedural, but Perkins’ direction transcends the genre, weaving occult overtones and psychic elements into a unique, dreamlike horror experience. As Harker uncovers the killer’s ritualistic patterns, the film takes on a distinctly otherworldly feel, with a visual language rich in triangles, angles, and inverted shapes—a reflection of the dark symbolism at play. It’s a deliberate choice that gives the film an unsettling elegance, with each frame composed like a twisted, nightmarish painting.

Despite its atmosphere and strong performances, Longlegs faces its share of challenges. The film’s third act falls into the trap of heavy-handed exposition, breaking the unsettling tension that had been so carefully built. In contrast to its fever-dream-like pacing, this reveal feels out of place, offering more explanation than the film truly needs. As much as the story pulls the audience into its disturbing narrative, there’s a sense that the film could have embraced its quirkier, more unsettling elements without attempting to explain every detail. The narrative often feels like it’s holding back from going fully into the bizarre and inexplicable.

But even with its flaws, Longlegs is a film worth experiencing for its daring approach to horror. With Cage delivering one of his most unsettling performances, Monroe anchoring the film with her complex, emotionally distant FBI agent, and Perkins’ visionary direction, the film creates a mood of unrelenting dread. It will linger with you long after the credits roll, forcing you to ponder the questions it leaves unanswered.

In a genre filled with formulaic thrillers and predictable scares, Longlegs is a breath of fresh, eerie air. It doesn’t offer easy answers, nor does it let its audience rest. Instead, it asks them to stay in the dark, to feel the weight of its oppressive atmosphere, and to confront the terrifying unknown at its heart. It’s not just a film you watch—it’s one that watches you back.

If you’re in the mood for a psychological, occult-infused thriller that refuses to be easily categorized, Longlegs is one nightmare you won’t want to miss.