Longlegs

I saw the film for the second time last night at the official premier. I definitely enjoyed and appreciated the film more the second time. It's a slow burn. The atmosphere Perkins creates (with his team) is top-notch. In fact, the overall vibe of the film is the best thing going for it.

I can't recall a horror film receiving so much anticipation and hype as this one (especially for a non-franchise horror film), which I fear might hurt the satisfaction for some audiences... especially the die-hard horror fans out there.

Nicolas Cage completely commits to the role and creates a very disturbing and memorable character. But Cage's fame removes some of the fear you need from this character. You always know your watching Cage, even with the heavy make-up and prosthetics.

Maika Monroe does a fine job as the main protagonist. But she doesn't give her character many levels. I wanted to care more about her and her story.

I miss seeing a horror film without knowing much about it beforehand, which seems harder these days. Had I not heard about this film so far in advance, I think I would've been more satisfied by it.

But this is definitely one of the better horror films I've seen in the last few years... and I look forward to seeing more from Perkins.

To say I was excited for this movie was an understatement. I watched all the trailers, the reviews, and was SOOO excited. A somewhat arthouse serial killer horror film, that's also satanic? With NICHOLAS CAGE? Hell yes!

And to be fair, there is a lot of stuff I loved in this movie. The cinematography is GORGEROUS, if you like cinematic films, this is one for you. The performances are all great, I love Nicholas Cage (though I wish he were in it more) and loved the quirky protagonist. The sound design was great, and the concept was interesting. I was hooked by the opening of the movie.

However, the plot and main twist in this movie really dumbs it down for me. As many pointed out, this movie was mis marketed. It's not a serial killer movie, and it's not a scary movie. It's much more of a supernatural thriller, and maybe some would find it scary and disturbing, but I found it to be neither. The main idea of the movie is revealed early on, (how the killings happen), and the end reveal is just... eh? But this movie really lacks on the tension. You don't feel stakes, or urgency, or any tension in the scenes, even when they very much could have tension. I hate comparing horror films, but a sort of similar film with its demonic aspect is last year's Talk to Me, and that film really shows how you can use that demonic concept to have a great amount of tension, urgency in the plot, and stakes with the characters.

This movie feels like a mish mash of silence of the lambs and sinister, but it doesn't really lean into either side of it and lacks the tension of it.

I thought Longlegs was spread too thin. It didn't know if it wanted to be a demonic horror film or a serial killer thriller. Had it leaned more into either of these areas it would be a lot better. This left the movie to not really create that much fear, dread, or suspense because it didn't know what it wanted to be. While the score, acting(especially on the part of Cage), and cinematography were really good, the writing held Longlegs back from being something great! It felt like a love child between Sinister and Silence of the Lambs I love each of these movies but I'm not sure how well they combined in Longlegs.

Longlegs is the latest movie in the resurgence of Nicolas Cage. I saw it on opening night without watching a trailer or knowing anything about it other than "new Cage flick." I love watching movies this way, I never know what to expect.

This might be the highest quality of all the recent Cage theatrical movies. The filmmaking is pristine. You can feel a distinct style that makes you feel uneasy throughout. It does a good job of building intrigue and the mystery had me hooked.

Overall, I found the movie to be good for a single viewing. I was a little disappointed there wasn't more, especially during the climax. And the reasoning behind the killings is something I'm generally not a fan of in movies.

I also see this being marketed as the scariest movie of the decade. Maybe for horror novices. There was a lady next to me covering her eyes at so many scenes. But it was just violence. It's not actually scary.

I still had a good time with this movie. I just wish it had a better payoff or better pacing. I enjoyed Massive Talent, Dream Scenario, and Arcadian more.

(1 viewing, opening Thursday 7/11/2024)

Phrases like "the best horror film of the decade" or "the best film of the year" honestly do not apply to it.

The film "Longlegs" revolves around a serial killer committing shocking crimes, and a federal agent seeks to uncover him.

Nicolas Cage, despite his brief appearance, spread feelings of fear and anxiety throughout the entire film. The role suits him very well, and we can say, "Welcome back, you genius." The actress Maika Monroe excelled in her role, and I believe this is the second film I've seen her in after "It Follows."

The film's shooting style was excellent, with a wide angle ensuring that all the main characters were in the center of the screen. The source of evil and the driving force of the events were very good.

However, the film, in general, honestly did not offer anything new, and I expected it to be more terrifying or mysterious, given its genre. At least something more shocking should have been revealed, considering the events were too slow to reward the viewer after such a long wait. Many films like "Zodiac" or "The Silence of the Lambs" have preceded it with this type of story and appeared better in terms of puzzles and shocking brutality.

In the end, it's a good horror and mystery film, but it doesn't deserve such high praise.