Being the son of the great Anthony Perkins (most notable as the star of Alfred Hitchcock’s 1960 classic Psycho), Osgood Perkins (The Blackcoat’s Daughter 2017, Gretel & Hansel 2020) might be considered a product of nepotism. Following in his father’s footsteps, and sticking with Horror, he is anything but a nepo baby, because he continues to carve his path with his own flavors and sensibilities.
At it again, his latest film Longlegs hit theaters through NEON on July 12, 2024, became available for digital purchase and rental beginning August 23rd, and arrived on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-Ray, and DVD, starting September 24th. The fourth film in which Perkins acts as the director, Longlegs features a strong cast including Maika Monroe (It Follows 2014, Tau 2018) as Lee Harker, Nicolas Cage (Valley Girl 1983, Con Air 1997) as Dale Kobble, Blair Underwood (Set It Off 1996, Madea’s Family Reunion 2006) as Agent Carter, and Alicia Witt (Dune 1984, Urban Lengs 1998) as Ruth Harker.
The story starts in pursuit of a serial killer, as an FBI agent uncovers a series of occult clues that she must solve to end his terrifying killing spree. After a cold opening where we get a glimpse of Longlegs, who we only see fleetingly or from afar until the third act. Longlegs plays as a procedural in three parts from the time Harker asks if she knows about the Longlegs murders, to being invited to the case, and so on. This makes the movie a slow burn, which will turn viewers off; because we live in a society where a fast payoff is expected. This is evidenced by many Facebook group comments and Rotten Tomatoes’ 55% audience score… as opposed to the critics’ 85%. In all honesty, this is quite sad.
So, how did Perkins (who also wrote the screenplay) come up with Longlegs? He claims inspiration came from several sources, including his relationship with his parents and the murder of JonBenét Ramsey, the six-year-old beauty pageant contestant in Boulder Colorado, who was murdered on Christmas Day in 1996. By the way, that case remains open. Given that knowledge, it adds a level of uncertainty to the movie; especially concerning his relationship with his folks, and a level of intrigue and warpedness with the unsolved case. Considering this, casting Nicholas Cage is a stroke of genius with his brand of manic in movies like 1997’s Face/Off and 2018’s Mandy. However, Longlegs is warped even by Nicholas Cage’s standards.
Religious-based killers have been around since 1973’s The Exorcist; which is a possession movie, as opposed to a killer killing in the name of religion. With more of a distinction going to 1999’s Resurrection among Horror aficionados, Longlegs carries on the legacy. The problem is, what can be brought to the table that has not already been done? Watching Longlegs, shades of 1991’s Silence of the Lambs can be felt with the procedural, as well as Longlegs being eccentric and mocking investigators while he is out in public…they just do not know who they are looking for. Another similarity between the two films is that of FBI Agent Clarice Starling and FBI Agent Lee Harker. Both are excellent profilers freshly out of training with many speculating that Harker’s on the spectrum to some degree.
While Longlegs is partly inspired by Jon Benet’s murder, Silence of the Lambs was inspired by famous killers Ted Bundy, Ed Gein, Gary Heidnik, and Doctor Alfredo Ballí Treviño. Furthermore, neither film is a true story, but what is compelling in Longlegs is the fact that Perkins’ does not mention taking inspiration from the Night Stalker, Richard Ramirez, who claimed he killed in the name of Satan, and spared some people if they swore allegiance to Satan.
Characterization-wise, everybody plays it straight in Longlegs; except for Witt’s Ruth Harker, Kiernan Shipka’s Carrie Ann, and eventually Blair Underwood’s Agent Carter. Although, none of them come close to Nicholas Cage, because he is so deliciously deranged and so warped… like he is totally in his element. It is a long shot with only six horror movies winning a major award…ever, but Nicholas Cage’s performance should be a strong contender.
In the beginning, Osgood Perkins being the son of Anthony Perkins was brought up. Buried in the scores by Elvis Perkins, Oz’s older brother, going by Zilgi, for Longlegs, are shades of Psycho for well-tuned ears. You have to wonder, is this an ode to his dad? With good twists where it counts, solid performances from the whole cast, the haunting and sometimes warped score, plus Andrés Arochi’s ’90s-flavored cinematography, Longlegs is a deranged fun ride. That is why Cryptic Rock gives it 5 out of 5 stars.
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