What’s It About

FBI Agent Lee Harker is assigned to an unsolved serial killer case that takes an unexpected turn, revealing evidence of the occult. Harker discovers a personal connection to the killer and must stop him before he strikes again.

MOVIESinMO REVIEW

Why do movies these days take so long to get to the point? Longlegs, for instance, with a runtime of 1 hour and 41 minutes, takes quite some time to reach its climax after the opening scene. The film feels prolonged, leaving the audience waiting for something gripping to unfold. The scattered storyline fails to evoke empathy for the main characters, including Longlegs. The plot revolves around Lee (played by Maika Monroe), a rookie FBI agent who comes across as a lackluster version of Clarice from Silence of the Lambs, lacking the force and individuality embodied by Jodie Foster. Lee, who is also a psychic, is tasked with investigating a case involving a ruthless serial killer named Longlegs, known for targeting families with daughters who share Lee’s birthday. Consequently, Lee finds herself in the killer’s crosshairs. Unfortunately, the suspense dwindles after the opening scene, where Lee recollects a haunting encounter with Longlegs from her childhood, revealing a connection to her abusive mother. Longlegs, portrayed by Nicolas Cage, donning drag, has a raspy voice and a white wig, depicting a character involved in Satan worship. As Lee delves into a case involving ritualistic family massacres, she discovers a suspect. She is dubbed “highly intuitive” by her boss (Blair Underwood). Longlegs, with a tendency for manipulating others to carry out the killings, sends Lee a cryptic birthday card, which she manages to decipher. Despite the potential for an intense cat-and-mouse pursuit, the film lacks a sense of urgency. Monroe’s portrayal falls short of leaving a lasting impact. Longlegs is eventually apprehended but takes his own life before he can be interrogated, yet the brutal massacres persist. The introduction of Lee’s mother as a red herring, a genuine religious follower with ties to devil worshippers, only adds to the puzzling nature of the plot. While the gore and dark cinematography set a somber tone, they offer little elucidation regarding Longlegs motives or supernatural aspects. Nicolas Cage’s exaggerated performance turns Longlegs into a continuously burning gasoline fire, igniting fresh matches every minute. The convoluted final act provides no closure, leaving viewers exasperated and questioning the rationale behind the film.

OUR RATING – A NO-LEGS 1

MEDIA

• Genre – Horror
• Street date
• Digital – August 23, 2024
• 4K/Blu-Ray/DVD – September 24, 2024
• Video – 1080p
• Screen size – 1.85:1
• Sound – English 5.1 DTS-HD MA
• Subtitles –English SDH, Spanish

Extras

• Audio commentary with writer/director Osgood Perkins
• On-set interviews with cast and crew
• Featurettes:
  • The Clue
  • The Evidence
  • Dirty + Sweet
• Original trailer
• Original teaser trailer
• Optional English SDH and Spanish subtitles for the main feature