WARNING: The following article contains spoilers for Oz Perkins “Longlegs.”
“Longlegs” is a horrifying blend of suspense and undeveloped storytelling. It attempts to craft a slow-burn narrative but ultimately feels rushed. Still, it grips the audience with its intense and unsettling premise, holding their attention from start to finish.
The story follows rookie FBI agent Lee Harker (Maika Monroe), assigned to investigate a decades-long serial killing spree in Oregon. The killer, known as “Longlegs,” specifically targets families with daughters born on the 14th, leaving cryptic satanic messages at the crime scenes, suggesting a sinister mastermind at work.
As Lee delves deeper into the investigation, she uncovers a series of occult clues that begin to tie the murders to her own past. In a chilling twist, it’s revealed that Longlegs spared her as a child, despite her fitting his victim profile. This connection raises the stakes, drawing Lee further into the darkness as she attempts to unravel the mystery.
Very few movies have me looking over my shoulder in my own house; let alone get under my skin. The entire 1 hour and 41 minutes proved to be an acid trip that pushed you to the edge of your seat and pulled you into the storyline. It evoked me to take note of explicit details, such as the actor’s tone or facial expressions of the horror or confusion displayed by each character as another clue is unraveled.
One of the film’s standout elements is its cinematography, which masterfully uses tight, claustrophobic shots to heighten the sense of vulnerability. The haunting visuals amplify the dread and distress that permeate the film. The director’s use of dark and disorienting camera angles, like in the opening scene, where the camera is positioned below the actors, evokes a constant sense of unease, making the viewer feel like an unseen observer in an unfolding nightmare.
Monroe, as Lee Harker, delivers a strong performance, convincingly portraying a character teetering on the edge of sanity as she grapples with the escalating horror.
However, despite the film’s strengths in atmosphere and tension, its pacing and storytelling fall short. The slow pace, especially in the beginning, can feel disjointed, with abrupt scene transitions that leave viewers confused and questioning the reality of the situation.
At times, it’s unclear whether the events are happening in Lee’s mind or in the real world. The film also suffers from underdeveloped twists, particularly in its final act.
The clues Longlegs leaves for Lee eventually lead her home, where she discovers her mother working with him. The revelation that Longlegs has been living in her basement, while her mother has been placing satanic spirits into dolls that cause the victims’ to murder each other, feels hasty and undercooked. This final twist, though unsettling, lacks cohesion and feels too random to be truly satisfying.
Ultimately, Longlegs excels in creating a sense of dread and suspense but falters when it comes to delivering a coherent, fully realized narrative. While the eerie tone and moments of genuine terror make it an unsettling watch, the film’s final twist leaves more questions than answers, and the lack of payoff is frustrating. Despite its flaws, it’s an intriguing film that will leave a lingering sense of unease.
