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REVIEW: "Longlegs"

 enre: Horror/Mystery

Director: Oz Perkins
Writer: Oz Perkins
Starring: Maika Monroe, Blair Underwood, Alicia Witt and Nicolas Cage

Longlegs was a pleasant time at the movies. A solid crime-investigation film that surprises with a somewhat sloppy supernatural element that goes full force during the 3rd act, it might be defined as some kind of Silence of the Lambs meets Hereditary, but Longlegs distinguishes itself thanks to Oz Perkins' direction: always tense, with a dark atmosphere of constant danger, even if the writing can't quite match the boldness of the execution. It's a very good cinematic ride, but it disappoints in its conclusion when its orchestration promised a grand finale.
The movie's first scene is a great one, maybe one of the most creepy first scenes in recent years, and what unfolds after that makes you wonder about its connection with the narrative. The first act is brilliantly written, with Maika Monroe delivering an impressive performance as Agent Lee Harker, a mentally wounded woman that feels she's somehow cursed by her investigation gut, and it takes the audience in an investigation ride about a serial killer. Strong ressemblances with Silence of the Lambs start here, but the parallels get even stronger in the second act when there's some sort of connection between the so-called serial killer Longlegs and Agent Harker (plus, he seems to be obsessed with her). When the lead and the audience finally understand the killing web around Longlegs crimes the movie then enters the third act and a supernatural perspective about all the events is presented. Personally, I found it and original twist, but it leaves many question to be answered as some character development's arcs suddenly end. The concept is original and the idea is my cup of tea, but its execution and its writing left me with the feeling that I've just eaten a great dessert that was way too small for my appetite.
The thing about Longlegs that will make it last forever in movie culture might well be its characters. As I mentioned before, Maika Monroe does an incredible job here as the workaholic and tormented, but determined and brave, Lee Harker, but this movie truly belongs to Nicolas Cage as Longlegs. He's no stranger to unconventional acting and creepy characters, but I think Cage has finally found a character that completely matches his freak here: as Longlegs he's allowed to do some "noisy" acting in a transformative turn of creepiness, fragility, evil and obsession. After Pig (2021), Butcher's Crossing (2022) and Dream Scenario (2023), Cage closes a run of four years of first-class acting in great fashion - an acting peak in the actor's career, even if the movie isn't kind to him in terms of dialogue or screen-time that allow him to spread and develop his character. Still, he's concise, haunting and electric - we should say he is great despite the script.
Technically, there's a lot to be wondered in Longlegs in the cinematography and sound departments. There are a lot of great shots here and a lot of beautiful shadow/light games and color composing and great close-ups that add some dramatic weight and elevate the actors' performances - courtesy of the promising Mr. Andres Arochi. The sound also plays a big part here as it adds a constant sense of menace. The use of silence and small sound details are as hypnotic as the most dope score and it fits perfectly with Oz Perkins directing approach. A note about the makeup department for creating Longlegs' face: amazing work!
So, Longlegs might not be the year's best movie as some people claim, but it is solid enough to make your admission ticked worth. It's original, stylish and it features a scene-stealing Nic Cage performance. While I felt it as a letdown in the third act, the first two thirds of the movie are top horror/investigation filmmaking and they save the movie from being just "another" horror movie. Maybe overrated, but it's still good cinematic stuff.

RATING: 7/10


Oscar potential categories:
    Best Supporting Actor (Nicolas Cage)
    Best Cinematography
    Best Makeup & Hair
    Best Sound
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