Longlegs

Certainly unsettling! 'Longlegs' is solid horror fare.

Nicolas Cage's Cobble is extremely creepy, that one scene in the car unnerved me and then some. I will say that the more we see of his character the less creeped out I was, though credit to Cage & Co. for having that effect! Maika Monroe puts in a very good showing as Lee, I have zero issues with her performance - she nails it. Alicia Witt merits praise as well.

The pacing could've been better, it felt a little longer than its 101 minute run time, but other than that I'd kinda this a success. I had a fun time watching it all unfold, Monroe and the character of Cobble are the main reasons for that.

There's a fair amount of screen time given to Bill Clinton in this thriller. Luckily, there are no cigars to be seen as his Presidential visage looks down on FBI agent "Carter" (Blair Underwood). He's in charge of an investigation looking into the slaughter of entire families in their homes. There's no evidence of any third party anywhere, with the father invariably found having killed himself after slaughtering just about everyone else. Thing is, fellow agent "Harker" (Maika Monroe) thinks that there's way more to it than that. She's got a sort of sixth sense when it comes to these things and soon she and "Carter" are on the trail of the eponymous character (the sparingly used but effective Nicolas Cage) who may - or may not - be the source of some cryptic messages left near the site of each atrocity. Central to her theories are some eerily looking dolls. There are child size, perfectly made with porcelain and contain mysterious aluminium spheres. What's the purpose of them? It turns out that "Harker" might be able to elicit some answers from her mother "Ruth" (Alicia Witt). She's not quite the full shilling but as the detective recalls an encounter with a stranger many years earlier, we begin to wonder if mum might be more involved... It's quirky this story with elements that make sense and others that dart about making it almost impossible to figure out who's doing what to whom nor, more importantly, why? The rather brutal denouement does let it down. It's rushed and serves to fill in years worth of intrigue with five minutes of dialogue - indeed, I couldn't help but wonder if a sequel was in the offing as the story wrapped all too abruptly. Monroe delivers well here, as does photographer Andres Arochi who helps create an almost claustrophobic atmosphere to add quite a bit of tension to the plot. It's not especially scary, but it takes a different approach to creating horror for the mind rather thanks the eyes - and it works quite well.

I had fun. It's fun.

Hail Satan! Any Satan movie is pretty high on my list. Was a super cool Satan kid in high school. All Anton LaVey book reports and stuff.

It's a fine Satan movie.

I was really hoping this would make up for the wasted potential of Oddity (2024), and it certainly did.

Longlegs (2024) mixes elements of paranormal pseudoscience with the "Devil made me do it" Satanic panic to deliver a satisfying slow burn thriller where the Devil is actually making them do it.

Nicholas Cage delivers a damn good performance as the titular Longlegs and it's nice to see Kiernan Shipka in yet another "psycho" role after The Blackcoat's Daughter (2017).

MaXXXine (2024) is next on my list. Please don't disappoint.

♪ Let me in now and it can be nice! Make me go now and I'll have to come back, not once, not twice, but as many times as I like!

SPOILERS BELOW!

Y'know, if Ruth had just shot this !@#$er, we could've avoided a lot of bloodshed.

Also, kids, don't be Agent Browning. It's important to be aware of your surroundings. This scene is probably the worst offender in this movie.

Also, also, blink and you'll miss it, but the Devil does a peekaboo off in the distance when Lee turns to investigate the first gunshot.

Nicolas Cage proves again with this movie that he can play any role without problems. He's such a talented actor... He's nailing his role in this movie. Movie itself is strange and interesting. And if you're one of those people who likes strange horror movies, you will like this movie. I personally enjoyed it.

I recently ventured to the cinema and caught a screening of the latest psychological thriller, "Longlegs." The film delves into the twisted world of a serial killer who is believed to be possessed by Satan, using his demonic abilities to target young girls born on the 14th of the month. He gifts these girls a doll, which remains lifeless and silent, serving as a sinister prelude to their impending doom.

Nicolas Cage portrays the enigmatic killer, appearing sporadically throughout the movie in an unsettling all-white ensemble with pale face paint and hair. His eerie rendition of "Happy Birthday" and unsettling gestures add to the film's chilling atmosphere, leaving viewers on edge about his potential accomplice.

"Longlegs" exudes a retro vibe reminiscent of 1980s cinema, with a jarring visual style that may not resonate with contemporary audiences. The disjointed cinematography and truncated framing add to the film's unsettling nature, creating a sense of unease among viewers.

The lead actress delivers a performance that feels uncomfortably raw, as if she herself is grappling with the character's turmoil. Her portrayal adds to the overall discomfort of the film, leaving audiences questioning the extent of her character's possession.

While the film does offer resolution on the identity of "Longlegs," it ultimately falls short of recommendation. As a cinephile who appreciates the nuances of filmmaking, I found "Longlegs" lacking in substance and entertainment value. While individual tastes may vary, I prefer films that engage and captivate from start to finish, rather than leaving me feeling disenchanted or disturbed. "Longlegs" simply did not align with my preferences or expectations for a compelling cinematic experience.

Oz Perkins is clever and brilliant. And also, what new cryptic language is that?

A horror film which excels in the cinema. Genuinely scary with a great atmosphere, a great script, and one of Cage's most effective performances. Monroe is excellent, as is Perkins' score. Banger 4/5