Want to freak people out? Cast Nicholas Cage. That seems to be an effective way of advancing an agenda of unease. Longlegs simply took the next step in the evolution – casting Cage as a villain in the story of a serial killer.
Does Longlegs (Cage) actually do the killing? We’re not sure. We just know that he’s in there … somewhere. Introduced to us in ill-chosen pancake makeup, frizzy hair, and having a high-pitched squeal, Longlegs on screen resembles somebody who tried to cobble together a clown outfit from whatever was available in his house. [Oh, and “Longlegs” real name is Dale Cobble.]
While Cage plays the titular character and headlines this would-be fright-fest, Longlegs is strangely hidden from the camera for all but about five minutes of screentime. The film is really about FBI Agent Lee Harker (Maika Monroe), a woman who has channeled her spotty clairvoyance into gruntwork at the FBI. We are introduced to her when she correctly identifies a house hiding a murderer. Her skeptical partner immediately pays the price, and when Harker makes the bust, she is immediately “rewarded” with the Longlegs case which involves a series of family murders in Oregon over several years.
Apparently, the Devil has set up shop in semi-rural Oregon and takes out a family every so often. Why has Satan chosen semi-rural Oregon? Hard to say. The vibe? The weather? Like the green, but hates Portland? Whatever the reason, it’s bad news for Oregonians until Harker solves this thing.
Longlegs is a moody piece, relying on stark cinematography and muted negativity in lie
u of genuine horror, like, you know, blood and killing and stuff. The characters in this story seem to know they’re in a horror but resign themselves to their milieu as if they have no choice in the matter. Yeah, well, Longlegs, whatchagonnado? Leave?
Similarly, Maika Monroe takes her cue by advancing the art of breath acting. During a tense scene, we know each and every time Lee Harker inhales and exhales. I wish I were kidding about this. I am not.
While I can’t say I liked this film, I do recognize its positives: it is a legitimate coup to cast Nicolas Cage as the villain in supernatural horror. And one has to acknowledge that the atmosphere of the film constantly lends itself to idea that horror is going on. Past that, I found Longlegs a bit confusing, a bit dull, and ultimately a bit disappointing. And I’m certain none of that will stop Longlegs II: Longer Legs from happening.
There was once an agent named Lee
Who noticed things other people can’t see
On the track of a killer
Her clues gave us filler
Instead of solving heroically
Rated R, 101 Minutes
Director: Oz Perkins
Writer: Oz Perkins
Genre: Intentionally disturbing films
Type of being most likely to enjoy this film: The people who imagine the heroine is Clarice Starling
Type of being least likely to enjoy this film: Those desperately waiting for the dour to end
