Osgood Perkins’ latest horror film, “Longlegs,” promised a thrilling departure from recent genre disappointments with its intricate marketing campaign. However, while the film starts strong with eerie atmosphere and suspense, it ultimately falters under the weight of its ambitions.
Perkins, known for prioritizing style over substance in previous works like “The Blackcoat’s Daughter” and “Gretel & Hansel,” continues this trend in “Longlegs.” Set in the 1990s amidst an FBI investigation akin to “Silence of the Lambs,” the film follows Agent Lee (Maika Monroe) as she pursues the elusive serial killer, Longlegs, portrayed by Nicolas Cage. The narrative unfolds with promising mystery and unsettling sound design, but the film loses its footing with a poorly executed reveal of Cage’s character.
Cage’s performance, hidden behind distracting prosthetics and marked by exaggerated theatrics, detracts from the film’s otherwise subdued tone. This mismatch between style and execution proves detrimental, particularly in a plot filled with gaping holes and increasingly absurd twists. Perkins, more adept as a director than a writer, fails to sustain the initial intrigue, leading “Longlegs” into a disappointing spiral of narrative confusion and thematic inconsistency.
While the film briefly captivates with its initial suspense, it ultimately fails to deliver lasting scares or narrative coherence. For viewers seeking a truly haunting experience, “Longlegs” falls short, lacking the genuine terror that defines memorable horror classics.
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