By Jatin Jakhar
Oz Perkins’ latest film, ‘Longlegs’ is a chilling exploration of evil and obsession. FBI agent Lee Harker (Maika Monroe) finds herself drawn into a nightmarish serial killer case that takes a disturbing turn as she uncovers evidence of something occult. As Harker delves deeper into the investigation, she discovers a personal connection to the killer, raising the stakes and blurring the lines between sanity and madness.
Perkins, known for his atmospheric slow-burns like ‘The Blackcoat’s Daughter’ and ‘I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House’ crafts a masterfully unsettling mood in “Longlegs”. The film is filled with a sense of dread, with long, lingering shots and an oppressive soundscape that will leave you on edge. The narrative unfolds deliberately, building tension with each passing scene.
Monroe delivers a captivating performance as Harker, a determined agent haunted by her own past. She portrays Harker’s descent into darkness with a quiet intensity that is both believable and unsettling. Nicolas Cage is equally if not more compelling as the enigmatic serial killer, raises your heartbeat every time he’s on screen.
‘Longlegs’ being a slow burn, might not be for the average Indian audience looking for dumb fun, its serious cinema which the majority may not be able to fully understand evident by the inability of some people to shut up in both the screenings I went to watch the film However, these minor missteps don’t detract from the overall impact of the film, it certainly wasn’t over-hyped as I feared it would be.
‘Longlegs’ is a haunting and unforgettable experience that will stay with you long after the credits roll. It’s a kind of scary that makes you look in the backseat of the car before driving home. The kind of scary that has you turning on all the lights in the house, and leaving them on throughout the night. The kind of scary that has you double checking every shadow just to make sure it doesn’t have horns a parasitic type of scary that grows, its a must-watch.
