Longlegs – Movie Reviews by Ry!

Longlegs – From Insanity to Family … a Killer of Minds

Through the aspect of chance, we see things with a natural discourse.  With that simple sight of our everyday life, we hope to find purpose.  From the obvious to the surreal, it becomes a matter of believability, even in film.  In this review, I look at the latest horror/thriller film.  Through the eyes of a detective, we head down a path of winding truths and convenience.  Even within its obvious foreshadowing, Longlegs is a journey into the menacing aspect of haunts and minds. 

This is the story about a group of FBI agents on the pursuit of the serial killer known as Longlegs (Nicolas Cage).  Through a winding tale of death, will the agents catch up to the killer before he strikes again.  When it comes to horror, there are many pathways that filmmakers may travel.  From slasher to the psychological, it becomes a manner of gripping through character, motive and circumstance.  With this film, it is built off the horror foundation, but weaves through a genuine blend of characterization and detective elements.  In the beginning, we are given an ominous look at the known serial killer before moving into the present … following Agent Lee Harker (Maika Monroe) and other FBI individuals as they try to understand a connection between a series of murdered families.  Through brooding moments, intense interactions and broad conversations, we learn that the killer is leaving strange occult like clues.  With these clues, Harker is tasked with finding a connection between Longlegs and the massacres that are left behind.  Through these scenes, the journey begins to move from its traditional foundation, weaving in bits of personal moments that build up an atmospheric prowess that grips you to the mystery of ‘who is Longlegs’ and the ‘familial killings’.  Each situation becomes a foreshadowing layer of intrigue, a factual presentation that breeds ambiguity to crime scenes.  The intensity of discovery is heightened by the characters, an inflection that brings out the flawed nature of Harker and the insanity of Longlegs.  The personalities and brooding mystery provide a heartiness to the journey, elevating the experience within convenient storytelling.

Through Harker’s intuition and certain revelations, it becomes a race against time for the agents to capture (and stop) Longlegs.  The filmmakers continue to meld genres (detective/film noir/thriller), building up the intensity of the chase.  As Harker comes upon important connections, all the clues build towards a confrontation of predictable circumstance.  With Harker faced with tough decisions, we head into a third act that will either feel brilliantly captivating or lazily wrapped up.  Longlegs is a horror/thriller that provides genuine moments within simple storytelling.  If you are a fan of ominous stories, horror/thrillers or Nic Cage, this is one for you.  I say this is definitely a good film, worth seeing at the theaters.    

Full Score – 3.5 out of 5 (Matinee)