Review of LONGLEGS: Serial Satanic Spells

July 15, 2024

New FBI agent Lee Harker (Maika Monroe) had been diagnosed to possess clairvoyant abilities. She was then assigned to a long unsolved cases of serial killings in the state of Oregon. In each case, the father would inexplicably kill his wife, his children and himself. There would be a note with a coded Satanic message left behind, and signed Longlegs in a penmanship not belonging to any member of the family.  

Before its local release, this film had been showered with positive reviews from Rotten Tomatoes, which sparked much anticipatory enthusiasm.  The local poster had buzzy blurbs from critics, like "Most terrifying horror movie of 2024" and "Scariest film of the decade. It even proudly stated that "Audiences just can't stop screaming throughout the movie." With these superlative claims come very high expectations. 

This film was written and directed by Osgood Perkins. If you thought that surname sounded familiar, you'd be right to assume that he is the son of "Psycho" star Anthony Perkins. He has been writing and/or directing films since 2010, all of which were thrillers or horrors. His "Longlegs" was a very well-made film, worthy of its acclaim. Unfortunately, the overblown publicity surrounding it had painted it out to be something it was not. 

It was definitely a good horror film, but definitely not something where audiences were "screaming throughout". It was simply not that kind of horror.  Perkins' storytelling style here was deliberately slow-burn, and that was why it was chilling all the way through from beginning to end. The images of those creepy-looking dolls were the stuff of nightmares. The way it subverted the safety of family and the sanctity of religion was very sick. 

Scream-queen Maika Monroe's Lee Harker here had astute detective skills but was obviously psychologically disturbed. Nicholas Cage, with his effortless knack for portraying over-the-top camp and absurdity, was truly disturbing as the diabolical, white-faced serial killer. Perkins was able to limn the best talents of his two stars, plus Alicia Witt in a twisted turn as Lee's mother, from that bleak ominous opening scene, right down to that tense uncertain ending.  8/10.