Longlegs Summary and Review - The Horror You Can't Outrun

-


Longlegs Promo Image

Longlegs opens with a bleak,1970s-inspired 8mm aesthetic that immediately establishes an ominous tone. It wastes no time in introducing the titular Longlegs, who appears at the home of a young girl and confronts her in a deeply unsettling encounter, setting the stage for the creeping tension that follows.

Serial Killer Cold Case

Fast-forward a number of years and we're introduced to Lee Harker, a rookie FBI agent whose strained relationship with her mother (Alicia Witt) adds another layer of mystery. Harker is thrust into a cold case involving a serial killer, with her unerring intuition or psychic ability - you choose - viewed as a valuable asset by her superiors. As Harker delves deeper into the mystery with the help of her boss, Carter (Blair Underwood), she uncovers a history of shocking inter-family violence with overtones of the occult and alarmingly, a possible link to her own past.


Audience vs Critics

Longlegs was received favourably by critics with a more mixed reception from audiences and I'm inclined to fall down on the side of the audience. Undeniably stylish and beautifully shot (no stone was left unturned in production/scene and lighting design), it creates a distinctive mood of menace but the plot falls foul of combining too many elements that don't quite blend satisfactorily.

The slow pacing relies on building eerie tension rather than traditional jump-scares but at times it meanders to the extent that it becomes baffling. This is compounded by arthouse-style flashbacks which further disrupt the narrative flow as they seemed designed to enhance the visuals rather than to develop the storyline.

The Good Points

However, there are many good points. It presents an atmospheric and intriguing concept and ticks a lot of boxes for me (murder investigation, satanic worship and scary dolls). The acting is very much on point, with Maika Monroe excelling as the socially awkward yet brilliant Harker, while Nic Cage delivers a suitably over-the-top performance. Unrecognizable beneath makeup and prosthetics, he embodies a ghoulish blend of Buffalo Bill and the Joker, making for a memorably unsettling presence. Strong support from Blair Underwood and Alicia Witt adds depth to the film with solid, nuanced performances.

Looking for Answers

Unfortunately, the plot doesn’t deliver the pay-off that it promised at the start and key questions remain unanswered, leaving parts of the story threadbare. As the film geared up for the denouement, I was looking forward to having some of the answers but that wasn't the case. However, although ambiguous endings often leave me cold, in this instance it works. While it won’t satisfy everyone, in this context it felt fitting and served as a natural, albeit open-ended, conclusion.

Longlegs is worth watching for its visuals and performances, but don’t expect a flawless chiller thriller. It’s stylish and ambitious, but it's as frustrating as it is fascinating.

3/5

Lee Harker: Maika Monroe 
Longlegs: Nicholas Cage
William Carter: Blair Underwood
Ruth Harker: Alicia Witt
Writer/Director: Osgood Perkins
Release: 2024
Location: United Kingdom

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

This is Our Home Summary and Review - A Parent's Nightmare

-
Image
Reina: Simone Policano Cory: Jeff Ayars Zeke: Drew Beckas Director: Omri Dorani Writers: Omri Dorani & Rob Harmon Release: 2019 "This is Our Home" explores the dynamics of a fractured relationship, against a backdrop of mystery and emotional discord. As the story of Reyna and Cory unfolds, we are met with flashes of their past interwoven with a present bedevilled by unresolved issues and an unsettling encounter with a boy who claims he is their son. It kicks off with Reyna (Rey) and Cory heading out to her childhood home for some space to try and repair their relationship, with just a hint as to what lies behind their current struggles. They seem to be genuinely in love but vacillate between displays of affection and vicious bickering so clearly, there is work to be done. We are given glimpses of happier times but it's clear that they harbour a traumatic secret creating a tension that lingers throughout the film. On their first night at the property, after a plea...
Read more

Motherly - The Battle of All Mothers

-
Image
  Kate: Lora Burke Beth: Tessa Kozma Hal: Colin Paradine Mary: Kristen MacCulloch Lewis: Nick Smyth Director: Craig Wallace Writer:  Craig Wallace & Ian Malone Release:  2021 From the opening scene this is an intriguing tale where nothing is as it seems to be. And "seems to be" is a theme running through the story which is the beauty of "Motherly", weaving a narrative through a labyrinth of secrets managing to be both intriguing and entertaining. Kate and her 9 year old daughter Beth have escaped a traumatic past and now find themselves hiding in isolation in a rural area. From the start, it's evident that there's tension between them, with Beth displaying defiance and a longing to be with her dad and Kate, who is protective but somewhat controlling and prone to outbursts of frustrated anger.  They are not entirely alone as help is on hand in the form of Hal who is there to keep an eye on them and ensure their safety, especially when Kate suspects that a...
Read more

The Night House Summary & Review - A Haunting Triumph

-
Image
  Beth Parchin: Rebecca Hall Owen Parchin: Evan Jonigkeit Claire: Sarah Goldberg. Mel: Vondie Curtis-Hall Madelyne: Stacy Martin Becky: Samantha Buck Director: David Bruckner Writers: Ben Collins and Luke Piotrowski Release: 2021 Opening with a post-funerial scene introducing Beth, a grieving widow who is in deep shock following the sudden death of her beloved husband, "The Night House" draws the audience into the eerie corridors of psychological horror, taking us on a journey through grief, when it collides with the spectral unknown. From its beautiful cinematography to the stellar performances, the elements of this film converge to create an atmospheric experience that resonates after the credits roll. Following her husband's death, Beth drags herself through a haze of grief as she struggles to maintain a sense of normality while grappling with the shocking reality of what has occurred. It's not long before she experiences a series of unsettling events that, a...
Read more