I’m not completely sure Oz Perkins’ new supernatural serial killer movie LONGLEGS comes together in a completely satisfying way but one thing is for sure, it’s creepy as all get out. It’s quite the juggling act to make something both so hyper-grounded that it resembles a documentary at times but also so wacked out bonkers that it borders on a deranged comedy skit. I’m not sure it even plays fair, it’s almost as if every loose end is shrugged off with explanations of unknowable dark magics at work. But in the end, the performances are so strong all around (Nick Cage delves into his deepest well of insanity, Alicia Witt goes full Margaret White and makes a strong case for award consideration, Maika Monroe oozes twitchy disquiet and Blair Underwood and keirnan Shipka deliver quality support) and the palpable tension is ratcheted up to such a degree that it’s nearly impossible to accept it as anything less than a watershed moment in the arena of conjuring dank foreboding. This is a movie that for better or worse (and the implausibilities are legion) understands pure, concrete horror, the kind that makes you want to jump out of your skin and smash an eject button.
Monroe stars as Lee Harker, a morose, “partially psychic” FBI agent determined to identify a Zodiac-like serial killer known for somehow inspiring families to kill themselves and for his impressive talent when it comes to creating life-like dolls (I know that sounds crazy but it’s all about delivering the creeps here and what’s creepier than a life-like doll?). What she discovers is not only a Satan worshiping psychopath that resembles an unholy mash-up of Tiny Tim and Mickey Rourke (Cage, barking mad and carving himself beyond legendary status) but that she herself shares a complicated (to say the least) history with the twisted, squealing, birthday-happy nutcase and that her very own habit-wearing laconic mother (Witt) is somehow entangled in the unfathomable mess as well. What follows is a singular swirling mash-up mix of police procedural and surreal, occult fever dream with traces of pure unmitigated madness that actually leaves me slightly concerned for writer/director Perkins’ mental health. In other words, me thinks he’s crazy in the coconut but hey, that’s what true art is all about and I can't help being a bit in awe.
Not everyone is going to dig this movie (the talkative woman sitting next to me certainly didn’t, she threatened to scream if things got too scary but ended up making a big show of yawning and sighing instead) but it’s hard to dismiss a movie that hits the bell of insanity so resoundingly and frequently. It’s like drowning in molten angst at times and some of the visuals are sure to remain with me for a long, long while. Some of the images (the house, the station wagon, the assorted homey/hoarder details) felt strangely yanked straight out of my own memories which fueled my apprehension even further. And again, the performances are worth the uncomfortable viewing alone, Cage’s fearless audacity is well known and documented so for me, the true stand out revelation is the outstanding Alicia Witt (URBAN LEGEND), who absolutely mesmerizes as a stoic and fiercely determined (understatement of the year) mother. Do I fully understand much of what I’ve seen and experienced while watching this dread spewing contentment annihilator? Not really, and I’m not sure it matters as the lack of logic, normalcy and sense certainly adds to the epic unease. LONGLEGS speaks the language of nightmares and it speaks it loudly in psychotic spades. It means to disturb and it instills real-deal, irrefutable fear. That’s worth a lot in my book even if I continue to (nervously) scratch my head.
I liked this more than you, but I think I would have liked it even more if I had seen it at home. Some horror movies just hit you harder when you're sitting in your dark living room with creaks and other noises in your house happening suddenly.
I enjoyed (but didn't love) Skinamarink, but had I seen it in a theater I probably would have walked out. Or dozed at least.
Sorry Unk – did not read your writeup past the mention of Oz Perkins. Did not know that this was from him. Now I am going to check it out. Mixed reactions would be expected, as basically no one understood The Blackcoat's Daughter.
Raphaeladidas,
I think I would have preferred to see it at home as well! Especially since it was packed theater and that lady sitting next to me seemed to need a lot of attention! LONGLEGS did remind me of SKINAMARINK a bit because both movies really relied on a certain creepy nostalgia I think and sorta chased tone rather than story. I did see SKINAMARINK in theater and I traveled far to do so and would have much rather seen it at home as well preferably on VHS! In the end I think both films are flawed but absolutely fascinating and have some admirable and truly memorable scares for sure.
Chuckles72,
No worries, in you can go in cold knowing nothing that’s always the best. Perkins is a wonderful director (really love Gretel & Hansel and Blackcoat's Daughter) and it’s nice to think of how proud his father would certainly be of him!! I always dug his directing of PSYCHO 3! And yeah, mixed reactions are going to happen especially when you take chances and draw outside the lines. I’m just glad Oz is doing his own thing and has such a distinctive voice. I’ll always be interested in his work!
I have been considering seeing Longlegs out of respect for the director's pedigree; it seems it may also have something roughly resembling atmosphere, plus I generally like Nicholas Cage and appreciate his fuck what you think attitude.
Valley Girl, Vampire's Kiss, Raising Arizona, Wild at Heart, Red Rock West, Leaving Las Vegas (also just recently saw, Honeymoon in Vegas), Amos & Andrew, It Could Happen to You, Kiss of Death, The Rock, Con Air, Face/Off, Snake Eyes, 8MM; all very entertaining.
Ghastly1,
You def have to check out LONGLEGS even if you don’t love it there’s nothing like it and it’s always interesting. Cage is really amazing and I’d watch him in anything. I love that he’s more interested in stretching as an actor rather than being in big hits (although LONGLEGS is a giant hit and did much better than predicted). Love Cage’s body of work and I gotta say 8MM is especially underrated. I just ordered a copy of a recent one with him called PIG (which I think is about a guy avenging his pig) so I’m looking forward to watching that soon as well.
I've never been in a movie theatre with more people talking than when i saw this movie last night. You can stay home and talk to your friends for free.
While parts of this movie were *a little* eye rolly (Nic Cage's make up, his voice, the concept of the homemade full size doll) enough of it was really interesting to make up for it.
When we got home we asked each other questions about it ("What did she say in that scene? What was the significance of that thing again?") and we looked up information about the filming of it – which is a good sign! We liked it and wanted to talk about it.
Also, I went into this knowing NOTHING about it. Didn't know what it was about, who was in it, and so on. Which I think is the best way.
Drew Bludd,
Yep this is a movie that sticks with you no matter how much your brain tries to douse its flames with logic. I’m liking it more and more while I get used to its insanity and am obsessed with all the Easter eggs, nuances and layers of possible interpretations and meanings. Now I’m seeing videos of all the times the shape of the devil is seen in the background and I really dig that almost subliminal imagery (Plus I also saw a video of someone begging people NOT to see it because it is Satanic which is the greatest selling point endorsement ever). I’m looking forward to watching it again now that I know what to expect and can turn off the left side of my brain in advance.