Longlegs is an atmospheric terrifying tale of mystery and murder and the occult. 

• Scare factor: ★★★★☆
• Occult factor: ★★★★☆
• Creepy doll factor: ★★★★☆
• Mystery factor: ★★★★★
• Gore factor: ★★☆☆☆

Longlegs is an occult horror thriller that is very atmospheric with a creepy vibe that tells the story of a mysterious serial killer and a young FBI agent who seems to have a connection to him.  It stars Maika Monroe, Nicolas Cage, Blair Underwood, Alicia Wit. Directed and written by Ogood Perkins.

Duration 1h 41 m

Plot

Lee Harker is a young FBI agent in the nineties. She and other agents are put on the case of an elusive serial killer. He has killed 10 families in 10 houses over the past 30 years. But the mysterious part is that although he always left a coded letter behind signed with Longlegs, he has never set foot in one of those houses. Although it seems at first glance that the fathers killed their families and then killed themselves, the letters say otherwise. So it remains a mystery how he could kill the families. 

When Lee has to go door to door to question people, she feels something and her intuition proves her right. She is tested for psychic abilities and now she is involved in the hunt for this serial killer. On part of the mystery is that he kills families of girls who’s birthday is the 14th of the month, when they turn nine, the other part is that Lee also has a special connection to the killer, while her birthday is January 14. When she turned nine her mother made a call to the police for trespassing. Lee has to solve the mystery and catch the killer before he kills again. 

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Short Review

In a certain way the story feels somewhat like The Silence of The Lamb (1991). A story where a young female FBI agent is the only one who has a connection to a serial killer in some way. In Longlegs this connection goes a bit further and the story is based on the occult. 

Lee is a very quiet, introvert person. She seems a bit weird, she’s very dedicated and determined, but her vulnerability is shown. The way the film is shot and the atmosphere, reflect her personality. Her birthday is in January, when the story takes place, and the cold weather, the stillness that winter can bring, when everything around you is quiet and still, not only causes an ominous atmosphere, but in a way it reflects Lee and the creepy serial killer. 

Kobble, the serial killer is played by Nicolas Cage and his performance is outstanding. He gives life to a most creepy man, who not only looks terrifying but his whole behavior, the way that he talks and what he says, or sings, is so terrifying, without overdoing it. While he doesn’t have many scenes, the ones he is in are impressive. But it’s not only his performance that makes this killer such a terrifying one. The way he is brought onto the screen, especially in the first scene in 1974, right up to his mouth, where his nose and eyes aren’t visible, gives off such a creepy vibe, right until he ducks and his face is full on screen. That opening is a great beginning that sets the tone and atmosphere of the film. While there’s no use of jump scares, no scary scenes where you wait in anticipation for a scare to come, the whole film itself has an ominous vibe and when something does happen, it’s quick and intense without warning.

The use of sound is excellent. There’s hardly music that accompanies the scenes, or to make it more scary. The sounds are natural and well-chosen in specific moments. Just like in the winter where sounds can be muffled due to a big blanket of snow or carry far due to the bare trees and an open void landscape. The way the sounds, shots, cinematography and characters blend into the whole atmosphere of the film is impressive. 

While the story itself is a horror thriller that isn’t that complicated, and the whole killer spree is explained, it doesn’t make it less scary. The terror of the story lies in it’s simplicity. A young FBI agent with a special gift, whether she’s a psychic or has special intuition, a mysterious serial killer who kills without ever going inside the houses, where the killings take place and their connection, together create a strong base for a story. It gives the opportunity to focus on the whole vibe, and the way it’s filmed. While this is not a character study like The Silence of the Lambs, this film focuses more on the underlying fears of the Satanic Panic and vulnerability of the value of family. 

The murder scenes are quite gruesome and cold, framed in a square screen, showing that this footage belongs to the past, just like the opening scene adds to a 70s vibe. While there’s not much reflection on this families, some subtle shots or phrases do indicate the horrifying events those people went through. Especially considering that neither father actually did kill their families. It’s all the work of this mysterious serial killer. 

That’s when the dolls come in. Very creepy life-like and actual-sized dolls, with real hair and a mysterious occult metal ball inside their heads. While the dolls don’t make frequent appearances, when we actually get to see them, they feel off, and even more scary when a black shroud is draped over them, only showing their red glowing eyes.  The dolls themselves don’t do much, but it’s what’s inside that carries evil inside a home. And of course the doll maker himself makes the dolls and how he treats them is even more terrifying. 

The twist at the end connects Lee even further with Kobble and it’s a twist that is not too surprising, but all the more horrifying. 

Longlegs is a subtle, introverted film, with a simple story, with outstanding cinematography and acting that brings horror and terror into your own home.