In a landscape rich with horror and psychological thrillers, I felt a pang of disappointment after watching "Longlegs," directed by Osgood Perkins and featuring a talented cast including Maika Monroe, Nicolas Cage, and Alicia Witt. While I had hoped the film would stand out, it instead floated somewhere in the realm of mediocrity.
Set against the backdrop of the 1990s, it follows an FBI agent grappling with a haunting string of occult-related family murders in Oregon. Since its release on July 12, 2024, the film has generated buzz, becoming the highest-grossing independent film of the year with a box office tally of $127 million on a modest budget under $10 million. However, I walked away feeling a great opportunity had been squandered.
Plot and Storyline: A Predictable Journey
The plot centers around Lee Harker (Maika Monroe), an FBI agent with alleged clairvoyant abilities, who is assigned to unravel the mystery behind a series of disturbing murders. The premise is intriguing—a mysterious killer named Longlegs leaves behind cryptic messages that intertwine with the victims’ lives—but early on, I felt the story drifted into familiar territory, revealing its true colors as predictable and sometimes convoluted. The film opens with a chilling scene from 1974 that hints at a deeply eerie narrative, yet as the narrative unfolds, many elements remain frustratingly unexplained, making me feel as though key pieces were missing from the puzzle.
The film's effort to intertwine Lee’s past with the central mystery lacks the finesse needed to fully engage me. While it hints at psychological depth and explores familial themes, the character development feels shallow. This leads to a weak emotional connection, robbing the film of the suspense and tension it desperately seeks. By the time the unraveling twists became apparent, I found myself more weary than intrigued, wishing the writers had dedicated more effort to sharpening the plot and enriching the characters.
Cast and Performances: Stars Shine Amidst Mediocrity
The performances in "Longlegs" often save it from utter failure, with Nicolas Cage undeniably standing out as Longlegs, the enigmatic antagonist. His portrayal oscillates between unsettling and captivating, showcasing the duality that he often brings to his roles. However, I couldn’t escape the feeling that his character was underutilized, as the screenplay seemed to miss the chance to delve deeper into the motivations of such a complex figure.
Maika Monroe’s Lee Harker has her moments, but she too falls victim to a script lacking in depth and clarity. The emotional stakes of her character's journey felt underexplored, and her interactions with other characters, particularly her mother, played by Alicia Witt, lacked the intensity needed to elevate their arc. A more fully developed backdrop for Lee would have transformed her struggles into something more relatable and impactful.
Directorial Vision: A Flickering Flame of Creativity
Osgood Perkins' direction brings an eerie atmosphere that permeates "Longlegs," and while this artful approach is commendable, it often overshadows the narrative itself. Perkins effectively utilizes lighting and sound design to foster tension, making moments of silence scream louder than the dialogue—a testament to the film’s greatest strength: its sound effects and score. The music is genuinely unsettling, beautifully crafted to enhance the film’s creepiness, contributing to the haunting experience it aims to offer.
However, despite the visual and auditory aesthetics, the storytelling ultimately feels lacking. Basic narrative coherence is sacrificed for stylistic flourishes, which leads to a final product that, while visually appealing at times, fails to engage on a satisfying narrative level.
Visuals and Cinematography: An Eerie Palette
Visually, "Longlegs" presents a chilling aesthetic that aligns well with its horror genre aspirations. The cinematography cleverly frames despair and dread, creating a claustrophobic effect that mirrors Lee’s internal struggles. Yet, as strong as the imagery may appear, it occasionally feels overshadowed by the overall narrative weaknesses, leaving one yearning for more substance beneath the smoke and mirrors.
Themes and Emotional Impact: Frustration with Incompletion
The thematic explorations of the film, which address familial ties, trauma, and the occult, offer a promising foundation. However, the execution of these themes lacks the depth necessary to resonate with me fully. Instead of provoking thought about the impact of trauma or the sinister nature of familial obligations, it rests languidly on the surface, never dipping into the depths to evoke genuine emotional reactions.
Conclusion: A Haunting Missed Opportunity
As I walked away from "Longlegs," the feeling that lingered was one of disappointment regarding its unrealized potential. Although I appreciated the movie for its atmospheric qualities and some commendable performances, the film fails to capitalize on its intriguing premise. Rather than delivering the complex narrative it promises, it ends up as a mediocre experience that feels more like a missed opportunity than a defining horror thriller.
In retrospect, "Longlegs" serves as a cautionary tale for filmmakers to remember: even the most gripping concepts can be lost in tangled storytelling and half-hearted character development. With a little more effort and a more meticulously executed storyline, "Longlegs" could have easily carved its niche amongst the greats in the genre.
