Longlegs is Osgood Perkins' Tour de force

Ever since Neon released the first teaser trailer for Longlegs earlier this year, it has taken social media by storm. Then, more previews followed. Each gave us just enough information to get excited about the film without giving too much of the storyline away.

As the release of Longlegs drew closer, cryptic ciphers and mysterious references pertaining to the feature were plastered over Twitter and Instagram, only adding to the intrigue. The movie quickly became one of the most anticipated horror films of 2024 for many. It was all people could talk about.

As an individual who couldn't shut up about Longlegs for months, I am thrilled to report that the agonizing wait has been absolutely worth it. The film is not only the best thriller of the year; it's also the best film of the year so far. I will say that I disagree with some people calling it one of the most terrifying movies ever made, but that is by no means a criticism.

Instead, Osgood Perkins’ latest serial killer thriller achieves something much more impactful with the director's flawless ability to make viewers completely unsettled from the moment the feature starts. Longlegs builds a suffocating atmosphere that you can’t escape. However, you're completely immersed in the uncomfortable experience and can’t look away. Though it may feel like a nightmare, it’s one that you don't want to wake up from. It’s unnerving, but you're eager to see what happens next.

Perkins further instills dread with clever camera work, particularly wide-angle shots that make innocent characters feel like small fish in a big pond. Each individual is swallowed by the vast space surrounding them as the harsh reality of the wickedly tangled web they have no choice but to be a part of closes in on them.

The director also plays with our psyche in the best of ways, as the camera focuses on a character while objects such as doors sit in the background in full view. Viewers wait for something or someone to jump out, but that moment never comes. Perkins is much smarter than that and has no interest in littering the narrative with cheap jump scares. However, the possibility of their occurrence lingers, and Longlegs’ disturbing score only intensifies the unease.

Longlegs' brilliance is further elevated by the cast’s impeccable performances, and we couldn’t have asked for a better ensemble. Cage is in pedal-to-the-floor creeper mode, and his appearance is horrifying. The decision not to show his full face in the trailers worked in the film’s favor, making his reveal all the more effective and unforgettable. The first time you see him, it will be etched into your brain.

Alicia Witt, Blair Underwood, and Kiernan Shipka also give remarkable performances, though Maika Monroe is the highlight of the film. Lee Harker isn’t like any character she has ever played before, and the actress carries the feature with such ease and precision. Harker’s mannerisms and her awkward demeanor showcase Monroe’s pure talent as an actress, bringing a unique touch to the role that she fully makes her own.

Perkins’ previous features may have suffered from underdeveloped storylines, but this time, he’s found the perfect ingredients. Blending a psychological crime thriller with occult horror elements, Longlegs' end result is a gripping, flawlessly executed masterpiece doused in dread that is destined to be a cult classic.

Simply put, Longlegs is Perkins’ tour de force, and the devil is in the details.


Rating: 5/5