The recently-released Longlegs has had a cryptic advertising campaign and a lot of hype built up around it. With moviegoers claiming that horror films have been making a comeback, does Longlegs truly add to that claim, or was this one worth keeping in the shadows? Let’s investigate both sides to this to find out.

Spoilers for Longlegs are below.

The Good

Longlegs is easily one of the most chilling films in recent years. There is a delightfully unsettling feel throughout its whole runtime. The uneasiness that Longlegs creates whenever he’s on screen or even talked about is palpable. There are some decent background scares here and there as well. The uniquely eerie vibe that this movie gives off will stick with you after seeing it.

This twisted story keeps you thinking and guessing as to what could really be happening and what could possibly happen next. It’s smart and full of surprises. From witty dialogue to clever clues for the audience, it’s all perfectly thought-out. The surprises are more than enough to keep the audience on the edge of their seat and to add to the overall creepiness.

The movie also looks fantastic. It’s beautifully shot throughout, with each frame creating a sense of dread or an air of mystery. The movie is a bit of a slow burn, but it never feels dull with how intense each shot is. This film is a huge feat for the director and cinematographer.

The performances are all especially impressive. They’re emotional, grounded, and keep the audience immersed in this dark tale. Maika Monroe, Alicia Witt, and Blair Underwood all stand out with how much they bring their characters to life. Nicolas Cage, though, manages to completely steal the show with his role as Longlegs. His is one of the most haunting performances as a horror antagonist in quite some time and will likely be remembered for years to come.

Kudos to the makeup team, because Cage is borderline unrecognizable in this movie. The character of Longlegs is so unsettling to look at, and it’s absolutely amazing. His design is so creative and out-there while also appearing completely real.

The Bad

There’s a point toward the end of the movie when Lee, the film’s protagonist, could have saved a whole family by destroying a doll. However, she just sort of waits for something to happen before acting, and still doesn’t destroy the doll in question. It’s some frustrating decision-making on the character’s part.

There are certain themes throughout Longlegs that are overdone in horror. There are creepy dolls, and there’s certainly no shortage of creepy dolls in the genre. More annoying is the handling of religious allegory and “the devil made me do it” clichés. If they want to focus on religious allegory, why not use any other religion for a change? These tired tropes don’t hurt the film a whole lot since it uses them well, it’s just hard not to roll one’s eyes when they come about in horror movies time and time again.

Conclusion

Longlegs is like a modern Silence of the Lambs in a lot of ways, from the government agent investigation to the eerie atmosphere. This is a movie that will stay with you long after you see it and give you chills while you’re watching it. It’s scary, captivating, and thought-provoking. Longlegs is a must-see for any horror fan.

Rating: 10/10

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